Penrith Panthers V South Sydney (otherwise known as the wabbits)

[hindy111]

Edwards has improved heaps. But he also had bad runs with injury whenever he started to look decent. This last 2yrs seems the longest he has gone without these long stints on sideline.

I reckon he showed a lot of talent when debut then just had a rough patch for a few years. Barely looked an nrl player but that had a lot to do with injuries as well. He couldn't get a good run

 

[Crashtest]

I thought Crighton had a good first half but a quiet second

It looked like he picked up a minor injury after being tackled and was moving gingerly for a while

 

[BossleyPanther]

I will watch a replay as missed the game.

I will say that an option might be to let Too go and keep Staines and May. I imagine what Brian would cost you'd get those two for same price. It isn't just about who is better but also balance for the cap. I'm sure you can afford all 3 with some big names leaving next year but is it needed?

What will Stephen think?

 

[Iamback]

I don't mean they can't pass left to right I'm trying to say the quality of the left to right passes is well below right to left.

At training I'm sure the props can put up spiral bombs but not sure how they'd go in a game.

Yep. They are often too slow to beat defences. If it isn't natural then the timing is out

 

[Iamback]

May has been great in attack, but I wouldn’t break up the strong Crichton/Staines defensive combo they are forming on the RHS.

To'o is a right side player.

Right now possibly but if May is on 10+ tries in a month

no glaring areas then it becomes a harder choice

 

[Smug Panther]

To'o is a right side player.

Right now possibly but if May is on 10+ tries in a month

no glaring areas then it becomes a harder choice

To'o is equally good on either side

 

[Iamback]

To'o is equally good on either side

Exactly so you would get a good Right side Combo regardless

 

[Smug Panther]

Is May a option for 14? How good was he at hooker?

Imagine a May on the bench who actually has talent......what a time to be alive

 

[hindy111]

What you have is options
That's healthy and keeps players on their toes

 

[WestyLife]

To'o is equally good on either side

Even as Staines biggest defender I can see him being dropped pretty easily with the wings being so stacked.

 

[Crashtest]

To'o is a right side player.

Right now possibly but if May is on 10+ tries in a month

no glaring areas then it becomes a harder choice

The better sides all attack more and score more tries on their LHS. Which is why Ivan went for the best defensive combo of Momo and Crichton on the RHS for the finals and GF last year.

If Crichton and Staines keep defending we’ll as a combo between now and when To’o returns, I just can’t see Ivan dropping Staines once To’o is ready to return, regardless of how many tries May has scored by then.

 

[Luke Bowden]

Good trys no doubt... but we havent really seen him beat hes wing on the outside yet say midfield one on one...

He may have speed but imo hes no james roberts. He doesnt have that explosiveness over the first 10m which is so crucial.

I think what some posters may not understand is to an extent all nrl players would be pretty quick.. even most the forwards would be running sub 13.5 sec 100s.

Edwards id think would be mid to high 11s.

Taylan and staines low 11s..

So take edwards vs staines. Thered be lucky to be 0.5 to 1 sec difference over a 100m. Thats like 5 to 10m over a 100 roughly..

So absolutley bugger all. Taylan and staines would be within meters of each other over the 100m

But the issue in the nrl is not all players are as quick when carrying the ball. It can slow some players down a lot.

GI was one of the best movers ever with a footy in hand. He didnt lose any speed at all..

Staines has displayed blinding speed without the ball so far but i think we certainly havent seen that with the ball yet..

But the main speed you want your ball carrier to have is that explosive speed, initially over 10 but than 0-40m.

Personally i think tago looks close to the fastest in the team over 10m with the ball in hand. I said that before a ball was kicked this year.. he is real explosive of just a few steps.. he not as quick over 40 as taylan or staines but over 10m with ball in hand hes dynamic.

As for over 40m with ball in hand, staines and taylan would finish within 1 to 2m of each other either way.

I think Staines is the quickest, ball in hand or clean.

Bizza, Tago and May are all very strong ball carriers in traffic.

Its a great mix of wingers. I can’t decide what the best combo is.

 

[Exsilium]

I love how we’re at each other’s throats and we’re winning.

Imagine if we don’t win the title this year!

 

[age.s]

I think if all 3 wingers are performing outstandingly then there's something to be said for keeping the incumbents, ie To'o and Staines. It sends a good message to the 17 on the field that your spot is stable if you perform. The hunger should always be there for the guy looking in. If May was comfortably ahead of Staines its a different story, but when they're both going great I think you maintain the status quo somewhat.

 

[Black Magik]

There seem to be more people who thinks Staines will be the one dropped. I can see why although I'd personally like to see Staines get to keep the spot.

It could come down to tries scored.

 

[Fangs]

It could come down to tries scored.

Or tries botched. Crichton hasn't been great in that department.

I think you give them as much time together as possible. Charles and Crichton need it. Same with To'o/May and Tago.

 

[betcats]

May is off contract for next year right now also I believe, how f he signs elsewhere that could end up being a big factor.

 

[WestyLife]

May is off contract for next year right now also I believe, how f he signs elsewhere that could end up being a big factor.

I didn't realise that. Based on this and incumbent combinations I'd put my money on Staines getting the position.

 

[betcats]

Interesting that last night nrl stats had critta with 193 metres and now they have him with 206m, obviously they have reviewed the game and updated it, good to know they are being accurate.

 

[soc123_au]

When To'o returns I'd expect Staines to keep his spot on current form. May has been outstanding, but it's early days yet. There is a long way to go and we saw how the long season affected Charlie last year.

To'o has the runs on the board so he comes back in. Staines hasn't put a foot wrong so he stays too. Maybe Taylan goes back to Cup and plays centre or something and gets another shot later at 14.