R16 Sat - Panthers v Broncos *SPOILERS*

[Timmah]

LU LIVE > http://www.leagueunlimited.com/liveupdate.php?matchid=165

GAME > Penrith v Brisbane
WHEN > Saturday 30 June, 7:30pm
WHERE > CUA STADIUM, PENRITH NSW
MEDIA > LIVE on FOX and ABC, LeagueUnlimited LIVE UPDATE
TIX > www.panthers.com.au

Panthers
1. Liam Georgetown, 2. Geoff Daniela, 3. Michael Jennings, 4. Luke Lewis, 5. Nick Youngquest, 6. Brett Firman, 7. Craig Gower (c), 8. Tim Grant, 9. Keith Peters, 10. Frank Puletua, 11. Frank Pritchard, 12. Tony Puletua, 13. Nathan Smith
Int - 14. John Nuumaalii, 15. Mark O'Halloran, 16. Shane Rodney, 17. Joel Clinton, 18. Paul Aiton

Broncos
1 Denan Kemp, 2 Steve Michaels, 3 David Stagg, 4 Darius Boyd, 5 Craig Frawley, 6 Shane Perry, 7 Michael Ennis, 8 Dane Carlaw, 9 Ian Lacey, 10 Ben Hannant, 11 Corey Parker, 12 Brad Thorn ©, 13 Greg Eastwood
Int - 14 Dave Taylor, 15 Joel Moon, 16 John Te Reo, 17 Nick Kenny, 18 Mick Roberts, 19 Nick Emmett

GAVIN BADGER
Sideline Officials: Jason Walsh & Jeff Younis
Video Referee: Steve Nash

PREMIER LEAGUE > Panthers v Sharks, 5:30pm
JERSEY FLEGG > Panthers v Sharks, 3:50pm
QLD CUP > Aspley v Souths Logan @ Davies Park, 3:00pm Sun

 

[Timmah]

http://nrl.com.au/News/MatchReports/MatchReportsArticle/tabid/336/NewsId/5858/Default.aspx

NRL.com Match Preview

If you went off the form shown in these two sides’ most recent games then the Broncos would be looking at racking up at least a half century of points against the struggling Panthers but due to Origin III the Penrith side are a massive hope of climbing away from the wooden spoon zone they currently share with the Dragons.
It’s been a horror few weeks for the Penrith club – rumours of player/coach rifts and the circus surrounding Craig Gower’s on-again/off-again release to French rugby union has taken the focus off the basics it takes to win games.
But while the Panthers will miss fullback Rhys Wesser and hooker Luke Priddis is still apparently in the casualty ward, the Broncos have far more to contend with when it comes to key absences.
The baby Broncos have to front up without Karmichael Hunt, Brent Tate, Justin Hodges, Darren Lockyer, Petero Civoniceva, Tonie Carroll and Shaun Berrigan who are all with the Maroons – leaving a side well short on experience.
Considering Hunt (17 runs for 284 metres, nine tackle breaks, two line breaks, one try assist and three tries), Carroll (six runs for 109 metres, seven tackle breaks, two line breaks, 27 tackles and a try) and Civoniceva (17 runs for 145 metres and 18 tackles) were among the best in their 30-point demolition of the Wests Tigers it’s plain to see their loss will be hard felt.

The Broncos have now run in 119 points in their past two matches played at Suncorp Stadium which has included a total of 25 line breaks and 21 tries, eight coming the way of Hunt and Hodges; but they aren’t in Brisbane, they’re at the foot of the Blue Mountains and their stars won’t be anywhere near the field on game day.
Instead the likes of Denan Kemp, Craig Frawley, Joel Moon, Dave Taylor among others will be charged with keeping the Broncos run back towards the top eight on track.
Watch out Panthers: The Broncos are acutely aware of the soft underbelly that has conceded a league-worst 24 tries up the middle of the ruck.
They also know you have conceded 18 tries from kicks, five tries from dummy half and maybe more importantly nine from over halfway.
The Broncos are the NRL’s most potent side from over halfway, having scored 13 tries from 51 or more metres.
Watch out Broncos: Craig Gower has finally settled his future and this is now guaranteed to be his last season at his junior club.
The weight lifted from his shoulders could see the former Test and Origin star find the form that has made him one of the Panthers’ most exciting players in their history.
Where it will be won: If the baby Broncos can continue to control field position with metres gained – running and from the boot – they are a hope here as the Panthers are weak in this area.
The Broncos have been averaging 1,407 metres a game running (second in the NRL) while the Panthers are 15th with just 1,235 metres each week. From the boot the Broncos gain 699 metres a game (second) to the Panthers’ 475 metres (15th).
The last time the baby Broncos played, the team managed to come close to the averages and the result was a solid effort against a strong Manly side.
The History: Played 36; Panthers 13, Broncos 23. The Broncos hold the outright edge both overall and at CUA Stadium (nine wins to eight wins) but the Panthers have managed to win five of the past seven between the two teams, including a golden point thriller early this year.
Conclusion: If the Panthers can limit their errors (they have 210 this year which ranks them the poorest compared to the Broncos who have the third least with 160) and penalties (they have conceded 125 which again is a league-worst) then they should be able to beat the inexperienced Broncos.
Sure the Broncos still have the likes of Brad Thorn, Corey Parker and Greg Eastwood in their line-up but the Panthers are at home and a loss here will give Dragons’ fans hope of offloading the wooden spoon over the next few weeks.
Match officials: Referee – Gavin Badger; Sideline Officials – Jason Walsh & Jeff Younis; Video ref – Steve Nash.
Televised: Foxsports 3 – Live 7.30pm
* Statistics: NRL Stats.


MATCH HISTORY

Head to head
Overall (36 matches) > Brisbane 23 Penrith 13
At CUA (17 matches) > Brisbane 9 Penrith 8

2007 Clash
Penrith 29 Brisbane 28 at Suncorp
2006 Clash
Brisbane 30 Penrith 6 at Suncorp

Biggest Victories
Brisbane 54 Penrith 12 at ANZ, 1997
AND Brisbane 48 Penrith 6 at ANZ, 2000
Penrith 46 Brisbane 20 at Penrith, 2004


BETTING
Penrith 1.70 Brisbane 2.10


LATE MAIL
Brisbane expect their kiddies Eastwood and Stagg to line up despite injury concerns, which will see Mick Roberts and Nick Emmett miss out. Elliott has yet to cull Penrith's 18th man.

 

[Mr Saab]

Hoping against hope.
Brisbane by 4

 

[Big Mick]

I still rate Brisbane's line up...Brisbane by 10

 

[salivor]

That's probably one of the better baby Broncos sides we've put forward. The pack is still very strong and we've got a good bench. The only real concern is over our halves. I'd be dissapointed if we got blown off the park, this should be a very tight match.

Broncos by 2.

 

[DeeGan]

If Penrith lose here, this is the last time I pick the Penrith Panthers for 2007. The Penrith team, as bad as they are going have the experience and big name players to account for the travelling Brisbane team.

Joel Clinton to the bench again - next stop Premier League with Peter Wallace?

 

[JW]

Golden Point :crazy:

 

[Timmah]

Somehow I doubt it.

 

[griffo346]

brisbane by 30 crazy: reverse pycholigy) f**k if i know how to spell it :lol:

 

[Engine]

I think the baby broncos are going to tear the panthers a new one.

 

[miccle]

Will be a very interesting battle imo, hopefully a very close and entertaining match.

We've still got a strong side, but I just think we lack that direction in the halves. I really do think we'll push them a lot, but they will probably just get the points at home. Panthers by 4.

 

[JW]

Seriously though, I think we'll compete well, but I just can't see many points in our team unless Ennis and Perry can work well together. We're going to have to defend really well.

It may end up being a similar sort of game to the one against Manly.

Pennies should get the job done in the end, but in saying that that's one of the better "Baby Broncos" teams i've seen for a while.

 

[griffo346]

According to Dean Richie on Hadleys show Rodney will be given another weeks rest from his comeback from a shoulder reconstruction Paul Aiton will take his place on the bench.

 

[Big Mick]

well that sucks...he's had freaking 2 years off anyway...I think he'll be a shadow of the player he once was unfortunately.

 

[griffo346]

Hey Mick what u make of panthers re registering Matt Adamson

 

[Big Mick]

hated him as a player. Hated him when he left...still do.

 

[Raidersrawesome]

if he plays anywhere near what he did for us he will be damaging. the problem is getting games out of him his knees are shot

 

[pantherz9103]

Even the Baby Broncos will probably win. We're a joke. (hoping rp will work )

 

[pantherz9103]

hated him as a player. Hated him when he left...still do.

How could you have hated him as a player?
He was one of our better players during the lean years under Simmons.

 

[kooriguy]

does anyone know where i can get a live radio feed.. our reception here is woefull