Positional changes over origin

[Pomoz]

Well, a tips my hat to Daley. I never thought he would pick a Penrith player or try anybody new. Maybe the Gallen hit up, Scott hit up, Gallen hit up, Bird hit up, Gallen hit up tactical masterplan will be consigned to the bin. I hope so.

 

[umina panther]

Now we have to hope Will Smith doesn't come in. Surely DWZ deserves a shot

 

[Exsilium]

I think Cartwright played himself out of a bench spot yesterday.

Could have chosen peachey, Merrin or Cartwright and it would offer more than Jackson

 

[umina panther]

Wade Graham is the one hard done by

 

[Doomednow]

Yeah still no jumper for Wade Graham. Unbelievable.

 

[PenrithPanther45]

Now we have to hope Will Smith doesn't come in. Surely DWZ deserves a shot

I know it'd only be a short time, ie that smith isn't our fullback for the future without moylan there but surely if he is named at fb that will really piss off DWZ feel sorry for him

 

[Thirsty Panther]

Cartwright ruled out of the NSW side with a thumb injury.

 

[GongPanther]

Cartwright ruled out of the NSW side with a thumb injury.

Two thumb injuries and a knee injury to another player.

When it rains,it f**king pours.

 

[Pomoz]

Poor Hiku, his looked really painful. That tackle would break Superman's knee.

 

[franklin2323]

I doubt if Cartwright was in the 17 he wouldn't play. To me it seemed like the 4 were trying not to get injured atleast he can cop a caning at training with the rest of them ready for 2 weeks

 

[mxlegend99]

The game we miss Origin players:

1. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
2. George Jennings
3. Waqa Blake
4. Tyrone Peachey
5. Dylan Edwards
6. Nathan Cleary
7. Jamie Soward
8. Reegan Campbell-Gillard
9. Peter Wallace
10. Leilani Latu
11. Bryce Cartwright
12. Isaah Yeo
13. Trent Merrin

14. Chris Grevsmulh
15. Sam Mckendry
16. James Fisher-Harris
17. James Segeyaro

Was tempted to have Yeo at centre and Blake on the wing. But I think I would rather see Edwards rewarded for form and get a run on the wing for him to get a taste of first grade. Plus Blake has been very average on the wing.

I'd like to see Cleary get a taste of first grade too. Just for the experience. I want him to finish the season leasing our Under 20s to a grand final win. I would keep Segeyaro on the bench. Not sure he's a good fit for the club now. But let him play for an NRL contract. Even if it's not with us.

Edit
Take Moylan, Mansour, Whare and Hiku out... gee the backline looks rough quickly. Although on potential there's still heaps of talent.

 

[murraymob]

Peachey is not a center he is in the top 10 missed tackles in the nrl. Yeo to center Peachey back row

 

[umina panther]

Haven't looked at the draw. What games will players have to back up? Can't risk Moylan

 

[tripster]

Haven't looked at the draw. What games will players have to back up? Can't risk Moylan

Unfortunately first game they have to back up for is against Melbourne (one of our bogey teams) away from home (even worse). Unless Melbourne are equally beaten up from Origin, we will struggle to win that one.

 

[murraymob]

looks like we have a bye before game 1 and 2 and have the sharks prior to 3. now I expect if we do bad in the first origin we may well have our 2 guys back for the sharks game

 

[SweetandSoward]

Yes Merrin didn't get picked.

I think we will make a run during Origin period.
We only got Moylan and Mansour out.

 

[mxlegend99]

Yes Merrin didn't get picked.

I think we will make a run during Origin period.
We only got Moylan and Mansour out.

Ontop of season ending injuries to Whare and Hiku (we can assume anyway).

That's 4 out of 5 backs missing. 2 kiwi internationals. 2 Origin representatives. Even with decent depth replacing 4 quality players isn't easy. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak will be our only full strength player in our backline. Sharks backline should be well and truly intact. Sharks will really only miss Maloney.

Gallen isn't a huge loss to them. Fifita appears to be a shadow player. Sharks will be nearly full strength unless the Origin sides are changed. Or injuries occur.

I can't see us making a run... we aren't advantaged by no disruptions for a change.

 

[billypilgrimnz]

I can't see us going on a run because we are incredibly inconsistent. We also have a habit of losing to fellow midtableish sides - Dragons, Titans, Raiders, Dogs - while beating the rabble (Warriors, Roosters) and pushing better sides close for great "moral victories" (Sharks, Cowboys) and the odd occasional actual victory (Broncos).

 

[mxlegend99]

We beat Eels too with a team that was over the salary cap at the time.

We just play to the level of our opposition. We have matched the best teams. Lost to the average teams and scraped in wins over the worst.

 

[maple_69]

I think it's becoming increasingly clear that we are not a contender this year. Nobody expected us to be but our ability to match the best sides certainly got our hopes up. The top 4 sides are a clear cut above the rest. We certainly have the talent and good games to knock one of them off but we would likely have to knock three off in a row. Those 4 sides are just further along in their development or premiership window. They have key positions locked down and can just focus on greasing the wheels. Our goal this year should be to get closer to that situation for next year. A few guys getting Origin experience is good. A few guys like Cleary and Kikau and Grevsmuhl getting time in our first grade set up is also key. I'd be happy with the year if we make the finals (we really should) and get a better idea of what our 'premiership' side actually looks like.