Round 1 vs Brisbane - Suncorp

[Big Mick]

What do you expect/Like to see as our side?

Excluding Michael Gordon and Tim Grant for injuries...what is your side?

1. Rhys Wesser, 2. Geoff Daniella, 3. Michael Jennings, 4. Brad Tighe, 5. Luke Rooney, 6. Joe Williams, 7. Jarrod Sammut, 8. Adam Woolnough, 9. Luke Priddis, 10. Petero Civoniceiva, 11. Frank Pritchard, 12. Trent Waterhouse, 13. Luke Lewis
RES:
14. Frank Puletua, 15. Tony Puletua, 16. Matthew Bell, 17. Paul Aiton


What I expect to be named:

1. Rhys Wesser, 2. Brad Tighe, 3. Michael Jennings, 4. Maurice Blair, 5. Luke Rooney, 6. Luke Lewis, 7. Jarrod Sammut, 8. Adam Woolnough, 9. Luke Priddis, 10. Petero Civoniceiva, 11. Frank Pritchard, 12. Trent Waterhouse, 13. Nathan Smith
RES:
14. Frank Puletua, 15. Tony Puletua, 16. Matthew Bell, 17. Paul Aiton

 

[The Nature Boy]

1.Wesser, 2.Daniela, 3.Jennings, 4.Tighe, 5.Rooney, 6.Sammut, 7.J.Williams, 8.Woolnough,
9.Priddis, 10.Civoniceva (c), 11.T.Puletua, 12.Waterhouse 13. Lewis (what i would pefer)
Res 14.F.Puletua,15.Pritchard (if fit) 16.Bell 17.Aiton 18.N.Smith

I think that will be close to the side depending on fitness and for some reason i expect a Sammut and Williams combination for the halves.

 

[Magpie Nick]

1. Wesser
2. Daniela
3. Jennings
4. Lewis
5. Rooney

6. Sammut
7. J. Williams

13. Blair
12. Waterhouse
11. Pritchard
10. Civoniceva
9. Priddis
8. Woolnough

14. F. Puletua
15. Moors
16. Bell
17. T. Puletua


You could easily switch Blair and Lewis but I prefer Blair playing closer in because I believe he's a better runner of the ball. He was regularly the first player back to take a run after a kick and he was quite effective when running the ball up. Obviously Blair could still lurk out wide and hit holes, but to me he's more effective than Lewis in the middle of the field.

I chose Daniela over Tighe because I think Daniela offered more last year. Tighe was very hit and miss, having a good game here and there. Daniela may be lacking a little in defence but I'd be playing Lewis inside of him so there should be enough direction and guidence to help him along. Tighe could easily be chosen though, with Lewis moving to the Wing. Michael Gordon comes on to the Wing at the expense of Daniela/Tighe when fit.

Sammut has to be in the team. The options are 1, 6 and 7. Wesser has Fullback tied down so it's down to the Halves and Sammut fits in around his partner. It was out of the Williams' as to who made First Grade, Richie at 6 or Joe at 7. I've always had wraps on Joe Williams regardless of where he has been. It's no coincidence that when out of Souths team last year, they scored a hell of a lot less points. Richie Williams would be first in if any of Wesser, Sammut or Joe Williams is out. Wesser out, Sammut to 1 and Richie to 6. Sammut out, Richie to 6. Joe Williams out, Richie to 6 and Sammut to 7.

If Frank Pritchard is out then I'd probably start Tony Puletua. Waterhouse was looking very good until getting injured and Puletua needs a kick up the arse I reckon. Tony Puletua could also spend some time at Prop if needed, with Tim Grant out there seems to be a little lacking.

Junior Moors gets a run in the side due to Tim Grant being injured. I considered Nathan Smith and Paul Aiton for the 15 but figured there was already two similar players to Smith in the side in Blair and Lewis, and with Aiton there the side was lacking an extra bit of grunt. If Aiton did make the side, I wouldn't pull Priddis off for him. I'd play his as a Backrower and allow him to give Priddis a bit of a rest on the field, similar to Slater playing Dummy Half at the Storm.

 

[mxlegend99]

If Gordon isn't avaliable for selection, i'd like to see:

1. Rhys Wesser
2. Brad Tighe
3. Michael Jennings
4. Maurice Blair
5. Luke Rooney
6. Joe Williams
7. Jarrod Sammut
8. Adam Woolnough
9. Luke Priddis
10. Petero Civoniceva
11. Frank Pritchard
12. Trent Waterhouse
13. Luke Lewis

14. Frank Puletua
15. Tony Puletua
16. Matthew Bell
17. Masada Iosefa

Masada could make a spot in first grade as our lock. Given it's odds on going to be Nathan Smith at lock, Masada would be a massive improvement all round.

 

[Panther_Daz]

I have said it alot on this forum and i'll say it again. Masada has to be in the 17 from round 1.

 

[Big Mick]

I know he has to be...but to be honest mate...he's in under 20's trials and hasn't played first grade trial and hasn't been named this week.

 

[mxlegend99]

I don't expect to see Masada in first grade for a fair while. I would've loved to see him playing lock in the trials.

Even without first grade experience, he would do a 10x better job then Nathan Smith.

 

[herbert henry1908]

to be honest , i dont mind nathan smith. He may lack a little talent but he played with a lot more heart that some of our other players last year.

you need some players like that in a team IMO.

 

[mxlegend99]

You need blokes with heart. But the guy just lacks any sort of dominance on the field.

If Nathan Smith ran at Masada Iosefa he would be carried off in a stretcher.
If Masada Iosefa ran at Nathan Smith, he would run straight over 4 times out of 5 IMO.

You want a forward pack with guys who work hard, but who can also be intimidating. Masada Iosefa probably has more mongrel in him then any other forward the Panthers have.

 

[Bob]

1.Rhys Wesser
2.Geoff Daniella
3.Brad Tighe
4.Michael Jennings
5.Luke Rooney
6.Jarrod Sammut
7.Joe Williams
8.Adam Woolnough
9.Luke Priddis
10.Petero Civoniceiva
11.Trent Waterhouse
12.Luke Lewis
13.Maurice Blair
14.Frank Pritchard
15.Frank Puletua
16.Tony Puletua
17.Matthew Bell

Geoff Daniella on the right wing with Brad Tighe as Tighe plays right side normally and Daniella can play either side whereas Rooney can't.
Frank Pritchard off the bench as an impact player due to not having any trials.
The Puletua brothers as interchange front rowers as I feel Tony Puletua days in the second row are numbered.
Joe Williams as starting half in 1st grade due to his experience.
Richie Williams NOWHERE NEAR 1st grade ever again.

 

[Ronnie Dobbs]

1.Rhys Wesser
2.Geoff Daniella
3.Brad Tighe
4.Michael Jennings
5.Luke Rooney
6.Jarrod Sammut
7.Joe Williams
8.Adam Woolnough
9.Luke Priddis
10.Petero Civoniceiva
11.Trent Waterhouse
12.Luke Lewis
13.Maurice Blair
14.Frank Pritchard
15.Frank Puletua
16.Tony Puletua
17.Matthew Bell

Geoff Daniella on the right wing with Brad Tighe as Tighe plays right side normally and Daniella can play either side whereas Rooney can't.
Frank Pritchard off the bench as an impact player due to not having any trials.
The Puletua brothers as interchange front rowers as I feel Tony Puletua days in the second row are numbered.
Joe Williams as starting half in 1st grade due to his experience.
Richie Williams NOWHERE NEAR 1st grade ever again.

Finally, the Panthers fans see the light. One of the worst signings by Elliott. Ever. You can't teach heart & thats what this dud severely lacks.

 

[Kilkenny]

As our injury toll mounts selecting the side must becoming easier for ME.

 

[murraymob]

with lewis out injured that only leaves Sammut and joe williams for the halfs

 

[Kilkenny]

with lewis out injured that only leaves Sammut and joe williams for the halfs

There is another Williams.

 

[murraymob]

you are right there is another williams but even Elliott must see he is better suited playing for Bathurst Panthers rather than Penrith Panthers

 

[mxlegend99]

There is another Williams.

There is also McCrone. That gives us Sammut, J. Williams, McCrone & R. Williams.

I'd say that's the order in which they would be selected.

 

[The Mighty Panther]

I just hope that Brad Tighe isn't another Paul Franze.....................

 

[Big Mick]

I honestly wouldn't mind seeing Tighe in the #6 to be honest.

PLayed his best football there for Newcastle in 06', played there as a junior, has a good short kicking game...

wouldn't mind seeing this:

1. Wesser, 2. Gordon/Daniella, 3. Jennings, 4. Blair, 5. Rooney, 6. Tighe, 7. Sammut

 

[Kilkenny]

I honestly wouldn't mind seeing Tighe in the #6 to be honest.

PLayed his best football there for Newcastle in 06', played there as a junior, has a good short kicking game...

wouldn't mind seeing this:

1. Wesser, 2. Gordon/Daniella, 3. Jennings, 4. Blair, 5. Rooney, 6. Tighe, 7. Sammut

Good point. Part of the strategy behind recruiting Tighe was his supposed ability to play 5/8 from his junior days. I think he will definitely be in the starting line up somewhere.

 

[mxlegend99]

With the injuries we have... i think Matt Elliott would be looking at:

1. Rhys Wesser
2. Geoff Daniela (placeholder for Michael Gordon)
3. Michael Jennings
4. Brad Tighe
5. Luke Rooney
6. Joe Williams
7. Jarrod Sammut
8. Adam Woolnough
9. Luke Priddis
10. Petero Civoniceva
11. Frank Pritchard
12. Trent Waterhouse
13. Nathan Smith

14. Tony Puletua
15. Frank Puletua
16. Matt Bell/Junior Moors/Brendan Worth
17. Paul Aiton/Keith Peters/Masada Iosefa

One issue i can see straight away though, is that Matt Elliott isn't likely to leave Maurice Blair out, and i really hope he doesn't. We have 3 really good options at centre, which is a great issue to have. Tighe or Blair?

Big Micks idea of Brad Tighe playing 5/8 would be a good solution... hopefully Matt Elliott plays with that idea. If not, i hope he considers playing Maurice Blair at lock... and putting Nathan Smith in the Windsor Wolves team.