Round 11 Vs Titans @Cbus Super Stadium - Sunday 26th July 4pm

[herbert henry1908]

Half the spine is out. He is close to a senior guy of the side. I doubt he gets very few minutes this week

I just don’t see the point of two utilities. May as well keep Burns on the bench and give May the extra minutes at hooker or 5/8 (with Luai moving to hooker). That way you have a specialist replacing Kikau & Martin.

 

[age.s]

I'm backing Kenny in for a big game. Kid is all heart, hard worker, great defender and i reckon he'd have to have learned a few things watching Api this year.

He's a likeable kid and I really hope he goes well.

 

[Panfa]

Perfect game to blood daine laurie at fullback this week.Laurie is just as good as staines if not better and he is a bigger body than staines.

 

[herbert henry1908]

Perfect game to blood daine laurie at fullback this week.Laurie is just as good as staines if not better and he is a bigger body than staines.

There’s not much difference in their size. Staines is 3cm taller and 1kg heavier.

 

[franklin2323]

What are Nadens issues at centre? Scoring to often? Lol he is fine at centre he doesn’t need to be picked there so he can work on his issues.

With Api and Dylan out we are going to be lacking a bit in attack. Another ball player in the side is a huge plus even if it’s at centre, Naden outside Burton looks a lot better offensively than Naden/Mwz.

Poor defence ( Watch Ramien's try in Sharks game, the Goodwin almost try), Can't pass

This backline does that

Crichton
MWZ
Naden
Burton/May
Mansour

We have 19 fit players... no point wasting an attacking weapon on the wing

Next week Staines atleast is back and fixes one hole

 

[Fangs]

Named the way I expected it to be. Perhaps some late changes on the bench but I am not expecting any changes to the backline.

Selecting guys like Aikens, MWZ and Kenny is really showing Ivan's hand. Its not just about giving players a go. They will be the like for like replacements if we lose players to injury in those positions. Think day before the grand final and someone is injured at training, who starts instead?

You can just about kiss goodbye to Burton somehow starting in our best 17 if he can't get a run this weekend against the Titans.

 

[franklin2323]

Named the way I expected it to be. Perhaps some late changes on the bench but I am not expecting any changes to the backline.

Selecting guys like Aikens, MWZ and Kenny is really showing Ivan's hand. Its not just about giving players a go. They will be the like for like replacements if we lose players to injury in those positions. Think day before the grand final and someone is injured at training, who starts instead?

You can just about kiss goodbye to Burton somehow starting in our best 17 if he can't get a run this weekend against the Titans.

Well look at the outs. We aren't talking a few injuries so not a case of Aekins being next fullback up

Edwards
To'o
Whare
Jed
Staines
Ellis
Api
Hetherington
Capewell

So 9 out of our top 30. That is why I expect a few experiments. Keep enough structure like 2 actual wingers. Allows a new fullback and Centre to play

 

[betcats]

Poor defence ( Watch Ramien's try in Sharks game, the Goodwin almost try), Can't pass

This backline does that

Crichton
MWZ
Naden
Burton/May
Mansour

We have 19 fit players... no point wasting an attacking weapon on the wing

Next week Staines atleast is back and fixes one hole

He can pass, we can put that one to bed in regards to Naden. His defence needs to improve but he will fix that at training not working on it in games, he’s already better defensively than he was last year, and even as is he adds a lot more with his attack than we lose with his defence.

 

[franklin2323]

He can pass, we can put that one to bed in regards to Naden. His defence needs to improve but he will fix that at training not working on it in games, he’s already better defensively than he was last year, and even as is he adds a lot more with his attack than we lose with his defence.

Like his pass inside to an unmarked May on Sunday? He doesn't do it in game situations

Even if you say he can play it. when fit To'o and Staines will be the wingers.. So why not get him in the centres now

 

[mxlegend99]

I don't rate MWZ highly. But if the inclusions I feel he is most capable of doing the job. He won't be as flashy as Staines or To'o. But i think he can do enough for us without hllding the team back

The spine though... Edwards has added a passing game to his skillset which has been a big reason for our improvement. Onto of being a better ball runner and support player than Aekins. Losing him for mine takes a lot away from our attack out wide.

Kenny in for Api... We will lose momentum in the middle with slower service from Kenny. No running game removes a point of attack from us... Our pack is not going to dominate like it has. Which takes away from the halves a bit who will already be missing Edwards.

Hopefully May gets big minutes at hooker as he can make up for some of the skill we will lose without Api... Although no one at the club can cover what he has offered.

Fullback i cant see Laurie or Burton getting a run. Unless Aekins gets injured i think hes hes gonna play. But really I think without Edwards we need someone with a bit more freskish ability to help replace what our attack will lose..

Nathan really needs to step up this week. The opposition are weaker. But we have some big outs and the quality difference between them and the ins is massive.

 

[herbert henry1908]

Named the way I expected it to be. Perhaps some late changes on the bench but I am not expecting any changes to the backline.

Selecting guys like Aikens, MWZ and Kenny is really showing Ivan's hand. Its not just about giving players a go. They will be the like for like replacements if we lose players to injury in those positions. Think day before the grand final and someone is injured at training, who starts instead?

You can just about kiss goodbye to Burton somehow starting in our best 17 if he can't get a run this weekend against the Titans.

Aikens isn’t like for like with Edwards, though. Edwards biggest strength is what he brings in attack, Aekins brings nothing in attack.

 

[Fangs]

Aikens isn’t like for like with Edwards, though. Edwards biggest strength is what he brings in attack, Aekins brings nothing in attack.

In comparison to one another then Edwards brings better attack. But I wouldn't sit here and say Edwards' strength is his attack. Its his safety at the back foremost.

Probably the best thing you could say about Aikens is that he is safe. That is where I think Cleary sees Aikens fitting.

 

[franklin2323]

In comparison to one another then Edwards brings better attack. But I wouldn't sit here and say Edwards' strength is his attack. Its his safety at the back foremost.

Probably the best thing you could say about Aikens is that he is safe. That is where I think Cleary sees Aikens fitting.

If you have concerns at someone new being in the wrong position, bad under the high ball than Aekins is the one.. Hopefully the other options carve up at training and demand to be picked. Then we can actually score some points

 

[GongPanther]

I think there is a method to the madness in regards to Burton not getting much play time. I'm convinced that the coaching staff are treating him like a backup quarterback in the NFL, and always waiting on the bench.

There is no point in trying to find a spot for him in a starting line up when there are better options. At the same time, risking Burton would be a bad move if he did get injured, do who would come in as a backup half if Cleary or Luai got injured?

May might be the obvious choice, but even he hasn't played there for quite some time as he is spending his time in the backrow.

Methinks Burton in cotton wool is good insurance, and if this is the case, I'm sure Burton himself can see the logic.

 

[betcats]

Like his pass inside to an unmarked May on Sunday? He doesn't do it in game situations

Even if you say he can play it. when fit To'o and Staines will be the wingers.. So why not get him in the centres now

That’s one time he kicked instead of throwing a pass. You really just going to act like the three times he put Staines away didn’t happen? He can pass, that’s just ridiculous to say he can’t pass.

 

[franklin2323]

That’s one time he kicked instead of throwing a pass. You really just going to act like the three times he put Staines away didn’t happen? He can pass, that’s just ridiculous to say he can’t pass.

And besides that? Consistantly making the right decisions in attack and defence is the issues with him playing centre.

Assuming Mansour gets left out. To'o/Staines will be the wingers in the semis. Much better to have those things ironed out now or Ivan will pick Whare over him. As Finals are generally lower scoring games

 

[betcats]

And besides that? Consistantly making the right decisions in attack and defence is the issues with him playing centre.

Assuming Mansour gets left out. To'o/Staines will be the wingers in the semis. Much better to have those things ironed out now or Ivan will pick Whare over him. As Finals are generally lower scoring games

Besides what? He can pass. Claiming he cant pass is just bull shit and his defensive issues are being overblown now. People still talk about him like its last season, he has improved his defence and anyone who is still claiming he cant pass is talking shit or has not watched him this season.

EDIT: NRL stats has him with 4 linebreak assists for the year, the most of any panthers player and he has only played 6 games. He is 27th in the league for linebreak assist so yeah he can pass.

 

[chrisD]

If Edwards is injured for a finals game we should not want Aiken replacing him. He shouldn't be fullback this week.

I assume this will be the team that will run out because it would be wrong to either Aiken or MWZ to name them like this and then change later in the week.

 

[franklin2323]

Besides what? He can pass. Claiming he cant pass is just bull shit and his defensive issues are being overblown now. People still talk about him like its last season, he has improved his defence and anyone who is still claiming he cant pass is talking shit or has not watched him this season.

EDIT: NRL stats has him with 4 linebreak assists for the year, the most of any panthers player and he has only played 6 games. He is 27th

Besides what? He can pass. Claiming he cant pass is just bull shit and his defensive issues are being overblown now. People still talk about him like its last season, he has improved his defence and anyone who is still claiming he cant pass is talking shit or has not watched him this season.

EDIT: NRL stats has him with 4 linebreak assists for the year, the most of any panthers player and he has only played 6 games. He is 27th in the league for linebreak assist so yeah he can pass.

according to Fox sports stats (which re-watch games)

https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nr...ortBy=tackleEfficiencyPercentage&pageNumber=2

Tackle efficiency 74% only Aekins is worse in the squad
Naden has 1 linebreak assist. Mansour has 2
Naden has 1 try Assist. Mansour has 3

I compared him to a specialist winger. Nothing in that screams to be picked as a centre. This is perfect time to change that

I'd run out like this week. keeps a few guys in specialist positions and allows attack too

Crichton
MWZ
Naden
May/Burton
Mansour

 

[betcats]

according to Fox sports stats (which re-watch games)

https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nr...ortBy=tackleEfficiencyPercentage&pageNumber=2

Tackle efficiency 74% only Aekins is worse in the squad
Naden has 1 linebreak assist. Mansour has 2
Naden has 1 try Assist. Mansour has 3

I compared him to a specialist winger. Nothing in that screams to be picked as a centre. This is perfect time to change that

I'd run out like this week. keeps a few guys in specialist positions and allows attack too

Crichton
MWZ
Naden
May/Burton
Mansour

He had two linebreak assists in the sharks game so those stats are not reliable if they have him on one for the season.

Edit: They have Crichton with zero linebreak assist and zero try assist for the season, thats insane.