Reflecting on 2016

[Pomoz]

Hiku will fit in really well back at Manly. I just can't see where he would play. Wing? Drop DWZ or Mansour?Centre? He is undoubtedly a great attacker and has that ability to be in the right place and sniff out a try. But he is a turnstile in defence. Seriously poor. Mind you he had Soward outside him and that didn't help. Even so, he got pushed off of tackles on numerous occasions, similar to Peachey at times. Is he better than Blake? If Blake improves his workrate (help out the forwards more) I would take Blake over Hiku. Blake still has upside and will get better. His attack is not quite as good as Hiku, but it's improving, his defence is already way better. We really missed him against Canberra. Crocker never got anywhere against Blake, although Hardaker did a reasonable job. We also could have used his pace in attack.

Peachey is the easiest to deal with because he can always go back to being a utility if Whare shows he is in better form. Whare is a better defender, but Peachey is a better attacker. If Peachey improved his defence, Whare doesn't make the cut. Whare may also not recover from the injuries, but that remains to be seen.

I think the odd man out is Hiku. I bet he has been watching Blake and Peachey running around and thinking "shit, I better lift my game". I hope so anyway. He needs to give the Maccas, lambs fry and pie and mash a miss, hit the gym and get fitter, just like Blake did. With his footwork, if he was fit, he would be devastating.

Great problem to have.

 

[TheFrog]

Hiku did look a tad portly at the Dally M's the other night, it must be said.

 

[mxlegend99]

Rumours growing that Dallin Watene-Zelezniak is on his way out. There was no way we weren't losing someone good when we signed Hiku. After his injuries i was hoping it would be Whare. Big loss but lessened by the fact he has barely played since 2014. Could possibly end up being both.

We've already lost a fair bit of depth between Rennings. Gennings. Burns and Smith. If we did lose one or both of Whare and DWZ. What would our backline depth be?

1. Moylan
2. Mansour
3. Peachey
4. Blake
5. Hiku

Edwards could play wing or fullback. Anyone else ready for a spot?

I didn't see much of our reserve grade side in 2016. But our centres were mostly Smith and Gennings who are both gone... and our Under 20s centres were Rennings and Burns who are both gone. So what centre options would we have?

 

[Bob]

Rumours growing that Dallin Watene-Zelezniak is on his way out. There was no way we weren't losing someone good when we signed Hiku. After his injuries i was hoping it would be Whare. Big loss but lessened by the fact he has barely played since 2014. Could possibly end up being both.

We've already lost a fair bit of depth between Rennings. Gennings. Burns and Smith. If we did lose one or both of Whare and DWZ. What would our backline depth be?

1. Moylan
2. Mansour
3. Peachey
4. Blake
5. Hiku

Edwards could play wing or fullback. Anyone else ready for a spot?

I didn't see much of our reserve grade side in 2016. But our centres were mostly Smith and Gennings who are both gone... and our Under 20s centres were Rennings and Burns who are both gone. So what centre options would we have?

Christian Chricton is a wing/ce tre who i like the look off

 

[umina panther]

Tuisese definitely looks a potential first grade winger

 

[Kilkenny]

The rumours about DWZ are forum driven and I don't think they have too much substance.

That said, there is no doubt Gould will be looking closely at our outside backs, who stays and who goes.

 

[mxlegend99]

Tuisese definitely looks a potential first grade winger

I liked the look of him. Against either the Warriors or Raiders earlier in the year he scored a try from a kick return where he smashed through the defence like Mansour against the Bulldogs.

He's fast. Strong and plays at full pace. Big jump to NRL. But I would think he could do it.

 

[Q dave q]

Youse have the best coach in the game at the moment.

Wallace is the ultimate all round footballer, on his day-on, he can only be described as enchanting.

The panthers will get massive kick from this season, primed and ready for a top 3 next year.

Not the strongest squad, but if they get it together as a team, unbeatable.

 

[tripster]

The rumours about DWZ are forum driven and I don't think they have too much substance.

That said, there is no doubt Gould will be looking closely at our outside backs, who stays and who goes.

I suspect you are right, but the thing that made me think the rumours might have had substance was that he was rumoured to be going to the Knights as a fullback. No doubt, he will earn more long term in that position, and he has expressed the view before that is where he would like to play. Anyway, we will see.

 

[maple_69]

I would like to keep him around at least to see how the make up of our backline pans out next season. There is every chance that if he continues his late season form he could end up as fullback for a contender and we could warrant the increased cash he will demand. If Martin secures a spot though, we have Edwards, likely Hiku and Tuisese not far off. It would make sense for everyone for him to move on. Star outside backs and props are probably what we'll need to start shedding if our spine continues on its trajectory.

 

[Fibroman]

As a Panthers tragic since the early 70's I realise that we can't keep all the young stars. DWZ has been good for us but I think it is more important that we keep Cleary, Moylan and Cartwright locked up long term and pray for no serious injuries xx

 

[umina panther]

As a Panthers tragic since the early 70's I realise that we can't keep all the young stars. DWZ has been good for us but I think it is more important that we keep Cleary, Moylan and Cartwright locked up long term and pray for no serious injuries xx

Yeah Edwards looks to be our fullback long term. Bit of a shame DWZ never got a real shot but thats football

 

[hindy111]

Dwz was ok this season and still very young.
Im not sure he is superstar material.Looks more an athlete then a skillfull player

 

[hindy111]

Whare was top 5 centres prior to injury, and hiku like taka looked poor in d with sandow and soward.Once they left they looked better

 

[TheFrog]

Dwz was ok this season and still very young.
Im not sure he is superstar material.Looks more an athlete then a skillfull player

He improved in the last month or two most certainly, but prior to that I'd have been more than happy to send him to reserves for a bit. Possibly from his illness late last year, who knows.

Needs to work on his speed. Made a number of clean breaks this year but was run down. Should really be the fastest bloke in the team but isn't.