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Penrith v Bondi Battlers (Finals Week One)

Iamback

Referee
Messages
20,281
Just picked up on what the bunker said, they ruled Kearys actions were an escort. I don’t agree, because he had hold of Liam Henry by his jersey, I don’t see how that’s an escort. Anyway it’s academic now, but I’ll be a touch curious as how Annesley spins it on Monday.

If the ball is grubbered into the ingoal and the fullback escorts the chaser off the ball.

He is going to the bin so even that explanation doesn't seem right
 

blue bags

First Grade
Messages
9,581
Negatives - Last time I get to go to my favourite place to watch footy.

Positives - The rest.

The boys all played so well, a week off and we go again!

Farewell Penrith park, The boys and I will miss you! My bank account and liver won’t know what to do with themselves.
The playing surface. Grass. Is being sold to the public
 

maple_69

Bench
Messages
4,594
Think Tago deserved to get a shout out for last night also. Wasn’t the best on field at all but he had a real dig, landed some shots and looked dangerous with the ball. Great for his confidence. He definitely seems a different player outside Nath.

Ivan deserves every bit of credit for getting this team firing when they need to but Nath must be starting to enter mythical territory. Having him in your team must just give you so much confidence that you’re always in this. On the flip side, playing against him there must be some PTSD for teams.
 

hindy111

Post Whore
Messages
62,867
That pass was forward, were just conditioned to expect it to be let go because they let close ones go all the time. The only really poor (non) call we got was the Turuva trip.

Pretty easy to build a narrative about #adversity when you only look at one side of it. Dom Young also dropped the ball cold which wasn't called and the only momentum/points they had came from extremely soft penalties and 6 agains for marginal infringements that weren't blown consistently before or after. That wasn't a close game in which we got lucky. We were dominant in the first half, they then burned all their energy in a post half time surge in which they got some very generous officiating. We then wrestled back control as the whistle was put away and shut them out of the contest to full time.

No adversity. Pass was fine.
Penrith took foot off pedal
Attack still not crisp
Defense tough as
 
Messages
4,306
I thought that Cleary gave the attack much more space yesterday. He doesn’t have an Andrew Johns/Jonathon Thurston quality running game, but it is good enough and he is sufficiently committed to doing it on a regular enough basis that it puts the defence in two minds. When he drifts across the field and then straightens the inside 20 attack it looks so much more dangerous than when Cole or Schneider were partnering Luai.
 

Panther Pete

Juniors
Messages
1,794
Based on how we had been playing the last month I didn’t think we would just be able to flick a switch and get back to 2022 form but we did exactly that. For Nathan to come back from injury and play like that was amazing, if he isn’t the best player in the world I’m not sure who is. Yeo is a superstar, simple as that. Martin, Moses, JFH all fired up when they needed to and Dyl clearly still injured is a legend. Probably for me the best thing about the game was Tago getting back to how he played last year. Sure he ran out of the line once and came up empty handed but overall he had a great game. I said before the game Klein loves to manage losing teams back into the game and the 2 minutes before half time and 10 minutes into the second half was the worst I have ever seen from a ref, it was the only thing that got the Roosters on the scoreboard. A week off to freshen up and then hopefully do it again!!!
 

hindy111

Post Whore
Messages
62,867
Based on how we had been playing the last month I didn’t think we would just be able to flick a switch and get back to 2022 form but we did exactly that. For Nathan to come back from injury and play like that was amazing, if he isn’t the best player in the world I’m not sure who is. Yeo is a superstar, simple as that. Martin, Moses, JFH all fired up when they needed to and Dyl clearly still injured is a legend. Probably for me the best thing about the game was Tago getting back to how he played last year. Sure he ran out of the line once and came up empty handed but overall he had a great game. I said before the game Klein loves to manage losing teams back into the game and the 2 minutes before half time and 10 minutes into the second half was the worst I have ever seen from a ref, it was the only thing that got the Roosters on the scoreboard. A week off to freshen up and then hopefully do it again!!!


I reckon Ponga is the best player in the game attack wise. He can be a bit soft. But he is a generational talent.
Nathan is patient, great kicking game, Ice in his veins, clutch, steps up when needed and follows a game plan. But I don't think his running or passing game is elite is it? Decent.

My top 5 would have
Nathan, Ponga, Munster,Grant, Yeo.
 

Chins get the wins

First Grade
Messages
8,247
I reckon Ponga is the best player in the game attack wise. He can be a bit soft. But he is a generational talent.
Nathan is patient, great kicking game, Ice in his veins, clutch, steps up when needed and follows a game plan. But I don't think his running or passing game is elite is it? Decent.

My top 5 would have
Nathan, Ponga, Munster,Grant, Yeo.
Ponga hahahahaha
 

Fangs

Coach
Messages
13,744
Ponga hmm.

Came into the game looking like a future immortal. Then started getting marked. A few years ago early retirement due to concussion was the story with Ponga.

Since then he has starred for QLD at fullback and won them a series. He has kept Newcastle competitive but hasn't taken them deep into the finals.

He is extremely good in attack maybe the best. In D bang average and a bit soft at times as mentioned. Would like to see him in a good team.
 

Chins get the wins

First Grade
Messages
8,247
Who is your top 5?

Ponga has no halves or hooker of any quality. If Gagai catches that pass which he should of they most likely win. He has to.do.it all.himself
Nath
Yeo
Hughes
Turbo (when fit)
Murray

I'd even have the all time downhill skier Mitchy Moses over Ponga.

Ponga and Walsh are fun to watch but rarely deliver anything and I'd NEVER want them in our colours.
 

Munky

Coach
Messages
12,191
Nath
Yeo
Hughes
Turbo (when fit)
Murray

I'd even have the all time downhill skier Mitchy Moses over Ponga.

Ponga and Walsh are fun to watch but rarely deliver anything and I'd NEVER want them in our colours.

I love Murray but I think the last two years of trying to carry the Souths pack has burned him out

It'll be interesting to see how Skeletor uses him next season.
 

soc123_au

Moderator
Staff member
Messages
19,835
Nath
Yeo
Hughes
Turbo (when fit)
Murray

I'd even have the all time downhill skier Mitchy Moses over Ponga.

Ponga and Walsh are fun to watch but rarely deliver anything and I'd NEVER want them in our colours.
Your top 5 is on the money, but Ponga is knocking on that door. Put him in a decent side and he could be anything.

I wouldn't swap Dyl for anyone, but Ponga in our side would be a cheat code. Walsh I agree, fun to watch but no heart. Ponga isn't the greatest defender, but it's not through lack of effort.
 
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