Penrith v Bondi Battlers (Finals Week One)

[WestyLife]

Matty Johns is pretty good when he gets serious.

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[Whino]

Cleary declares Cleary a certain starter for Roosters showdown​

By
Nathan Taylor
-
September 11, 2024, 14:15

In a huge boost for Penrith’s quest for a four-peat, Panthers coach Ivan Cleary has declared his chief playmaker and son Nathan Cleary a certain starter ahead of Friday night’s Qualifying Final against the Sydney Roosters.

The 26-year-old hasn’t played since injuring his shoulder in the second half of Penrith’s loss to Minor Premiers Melbourne back on August 15.

Following a month of rest and rehabilitation, Nathan will make his long awaited comeback this Friday night at BlueBet Stadium.

Despite question marks over his fitness, Ivan said his halfback won’t be having any pre-game painkilling injections and is ready and raring to go.

“Yes, he is fit,” Ivan confirmed to reporters on Wednesday.

“This was always the plan to play him this week. Obviously, the stakes have moved up and we always wanted to pick our best team and he’s ready this week.

“No needles,” he added.

After several weeks training with the rehab group along with the NRL team, Ivan said he is satisfied the two-time Clive Churchill Medallist is at the level he needs to play a full 80-minutes of Finals Footy.

“We always planned for him to return this week, and his rehab has gone really well. He’s feeling confident and everything has gone to plan,” Ivan said.

“He’s been gradually doing contact for well over a week.

“The plan has always been to play this week, and he’s ticked every box. I look forward to getting him out there.”

If Penrith defeat the Roosters on Friday night, they’ll earn a week off before playing in a Preliminary Final, likely at Accor Stadium, in two weeks’ time.

Cleary declares Cleary a certain starter for Roosters showdown • The Western Weekender

Penrith's most respected local news service.

westernweekender.com.au

 

[WestyLife]

Cleary declares Cleary a certain starter for Roosters showdown​

By
Nathan Taylor
-
September 11, 2024, 14:15

In a huge boost for Penrith’s quest for a four-peat, Panthers coach Ivan Cleary has declared his chief playmaker and son Nathan Cleary a certain starter ahead of Friday night’s Qualifying Final against the Sydney Roosters.

The 26-year-old hasn’t played since injuring his shoulder in the second half of Penrith’s loss to Minor Premiers Melbourne back on August 15.

Following a month of rest and rehabilitation, Nathan will make his long awaited comeback this Friday night at BlueBet Stadium.

Despite question marks over his fitness, Ivan said his halfback won’t be having any pre-game painkilling injections and is ready and raring to go.

“Yes, he is fit,” Ivan confirmed to reporters on Wednesday.

“This was always the plan to play him this week. Obviously, the stakes have moved up and we always wanted to pick our best team and he’s ready this week.

“No needles,” he added.

After several weeks training with the rehab group along with the NRL team, Ivan said he is satisfied the two-time Clive Churchill Medallist is at the level he needs to play a full 80-minutes of Finals Footy.

“We always planned for him to return this week, and his rehab has gone really well. He’s feeling confident and everything has gone to plan,” Ivan said.

“He’s been gradually doing contact for well over a week.

“The plan has always been to play this week, and he’s ticked every box. I look forward to getting him out there.”

If Penrith defeat the Roosters on Friday night, they’ll earn a week off before playing in a Preliminary Final, likely at Accor Stadium, in two weeks’ time.

Cleary declares Cleary a certain starter for Roosters showdown • The Western Weekender

Penrith's most respected local news service.

westernweekender.com.au

Ivan is playing get wrecked Roosters.

 

[martielang]

Matty Johns is pretty good when he gets serious.

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Do you agree though? I'd be happy for them to go through the middle I think. I’m worried about them targeting the edges after an off load. The way Parra are so effective against us.

 

[Pomoz]

Do you agree though? I'd be happy for them to go through the middle I think. I’m worried about them targeting the edges after an off load. The way Parra are so effective against us.

We concede fewer tries through the middle than any other NRL side.

 

[Stinkfinger]

You just know they will kick to our short wingers with a high ball game that’s what they’ll do

If they can kick to Tupou regularly we are in trouble.

 

[Pomoz]

We concede fewer tries through the middle than any other NRL side.

I should add Yeo, Kenny, Smith and Henry would lick their lips. They love tackling middles.

 

[Chins get the wins]

If they can kick to Tupou regularly we are in trouble.

Good luck to Keary to land a bomb from 50m out when he can't even kick a ball that far.

This game is completely in our hands. It's up to Tago and Kenny to cut out the bullshit penalties. Sort that and we win

 

[Munky]

Keary's short kicking game near the line is a worry.

Conversely Keary's long kicking game is also his short kicking game.

 

[WestyLife]

Do you agree though? I'd be happy for them to go through the middle I think. I’m worried about them targeting the edges after an off load. The way Parra are so effective against us.

I think he's right in that they look tired. We've conceded a couple of soft tries through the middle now once fatigue gets into a game which was pretty unheard of in previous years of the current dynasty so I think it's an astute observation but yes I'm more worried about our edges.

 

[WestyLife]

We concede fewer tries through the middle than any other NRL side.

True but there's been a couple of strangely soft ones like that wishart try which seems out of character for this side

 

[Chins get the wins]

I think he's right in that they look tired. We've conceded a couple of soft tries through the middle now once fatigue gets into a game which was pretty unheard of in previous years of the current dynasty so I think it's an astute observation but yes I'm more worried about our edges.

Who's tired and who's just been lazy? No way Letoa has been overworked. Martin has some excuse with Origin

 

[WestyLife]

Who's tired and who's just been lazy? No way Letoa has been overworked. Martin has some excuse with Origin

Maybe it's a little bit lazy I don't know but everyone has admitted to some degree the forwards need to go up a gear. Smith and the Herniator shouldn't be (at least to the eye test) be outperforming Leota. Kenny giving penalties also doesn't help.

 

[The Realist]

What worries me is that in the past we had tall centres who'd often contest kicks when they are launched at our try line. The likes of Naden and Critta were great a diffusing them, and so was Kikau if they drifted infield.

Now we don't really have anyone who is good at contesting them.

In the past it didn't matter so much because we didn't give teams much good field position or time to get those kicks away. But now our lack of discipline is giving the opposition field position, and with our chief kick harasser (Kikau) long gone it has been over 4 years since we have been this vulnerable to the aerial attack.

 

[Sime_11]

Maybe it's a little bit lazy I don't know but everyone has admitted to some degree the forwards need to go up a gear. Smith and the Herniator shouldn't be (at least to the eye test) be outperforming Leota. Kenny giving penalties also doesn't help.

hopefully Fish & Leota can wind back the clock with big performances this final series, then let Smith & Henry come on and keep bashing & crashing up the middle

Smith's stats last week off the bench were pretty impressive (NRL website/app)

48 mins
18 hit ups for 191 metres (71 post contact)
1 tackle break & 1 offload
29 tackles (1 missed)

 

[pantherpuddy]

Have all the tickets sold yet ?
Surely this game is a full house tomorrow !

 

[chrisD]

Exciting times. Not the season long dominance we are used to, but do we have that finals switch? I don't see why not, if we turn up for the 80 we will be the better side against any team not the Storm. With the Storm it's a 50/50 because they'll turn up for the 80 too.

 

[snickers007]

Have all the tickets sold yet ?
Surely this game is a full house tomorrow !

As of 9:30 this morning I can see:
Bay 1: 1
Bay 32: 1
Bay 39: 6
Bay 13 (Wheelchair): 5
Bay 15: 5
Bay 16: 1
Bay 18: 2
Bay 19: 7
Bay 22 (Wheelchair): 2

Plus GA
Pretty sure it will be a sellout

 

[WestyLife]

hopefully Fish & Leota can wind back the clock with big performances this final series, then let Smith & Henry come on and keep bashing & crashing up the middle

Smith's stats last week off the bench were pretty impressive (NRL website/app)

48 mins
18 hit ups for 191 metres (71 post contact)
1 tackle break & 1 offload
29 tackles (1 missed)

He's so good.

 

[Fangs]

What worries me is that in the past we had tall centres who'd often contest kicks when they are launched at our try line. The likes of Naden and Critta were great a diffusing them, and so was Kikau if they drifted infield.

Now we don't really have anyone who is good at contesting them.

In the past it didn't matter so much because we didn't give teams much good field position or time to get those kicks away. But now our lack of discipline is giving the opposition field position, and with our chief kick harasser (Kikau) long gone it has been over 4 years since we have been this vulnerable to the aerial attack.

It's a general NRL trend. You don't see it very often because it's so hard to get it right.

You need to win the ruck on the 4th tackle so you don't have any pressure on the kicker. Fast play the ball and a quick kick across so extra defenders can't be in position to make the high ball contest a mess.

If you watch the Storm try over To'o then we get it all wrong. Edwards is on the other side of the field protecting the right so he never gets anywhere near it. McClean comes over but offers little. Luai and Geyer are too late. We are just too stretched and can't bring numbers. I see it as 3 on 1 which To'o will lose almost every time (3 on 2 if you count McClean but like I said he isn't doing much).

We let in two tries off kicks against the Storm recently so it's a focus point I'm sure. If we face them again it will Turuva on that side.