Round 16 v Tigers (preview, spoilers, post match discussion...)

[cainen]

Just read that it was a calf injury that ruled Aiton out a couple of weeks ago.

 

[Kilkenny]

The boys will step up. I'm wondering why Keith Peters is named as 18th man. Who is in doubt?

Keith Peters will replace Cross who is still not 100% from neck injury.

 

[Kilkenny]

Interesting to note Junior Ahio is named on bench for Flegg this weekend.

There were huge raps on this kid when selected in Under 17/18 junior Kiwis in the centres? Hasn't figured at all this season to my recollection so I assume he must have been injured preseason? I watched him with interest last season based on the wraps on him but struck me as being too small? Other keen judges thought he had the potential to make the transition to the top grade? In his absence I assumed he had been released!

 

[Big Mick]

Thats what I thought as well.

I was one who thought he was the goods...but havn't seen anything of him since last season.

You can only assume he was injured I guess.

 

[Fibroman]

I'd like to see Aiton get some more game time this year. He fits staight into the void Preston will be leaving at the end of the year. Aiton has the potential to be another player in the class of Craig Wing that is dynamic off the bench and could fill in at hooker, half or 5/8 when required.

Junior Moors needs to have some intensive coaching so we can blood him in the 2nd half of this season. It might even be worth having a look at Tim Grant and Michael Jennings at the tail end of the season to see how they handle the step up in class.

 

[Kilkenny]

I am not p*ssing in my own pocket but I have been raving about AITON for the last 2 -3 seasons. He was the one player who was clearly going to make the step up the Jersey Flegg side of last couple of years.

My biggest fear is the retention of Luke Priddis will result in us losing AITON before he has reached his true potential.

I really fear he will be another product from the junior ranks (albeit via Papua New Guinea) who will leave and become a top notch first grade player with someone else!

 

[Big Mick]

well he is contracted till next season isn't he?

We will retain him anyway.

 

[Munky]

well he is contracted till next season isn't he?

We will retain him anyway.

I reckon Priddis will probably leave at the end of next season anyway. Aiton stands a good chance of overtaking him and Priddo may just want the big bucks on offer in England.

 

[Mish]

I'm just saying it looks like they're playing without any motivation or passion at the moment. Maybe the idea that they can still make the finals will give them some motivation. Of course they still have to think about each game as it comes.

Taken from WT Official forum.... sure its hearsay but if there is any truth in it.. it is promising to us as the boys see this game as being quite important.. even so much as to call it their Grand Final.


"I have a good mate who is very close to the Panthers camp...

Won't say what his role is...but I will say he often has the Gowers over for dinner (Craigs parents) and 'scouts' around the place here and there...

I spoke to him today and he said they are treating it absolutely as a 'make or break / must win' game.

Basically he said they've been told it's 'season over' if they don't win...the players were embaressed by their last home game loss, which was pathetic, and they've focussed on this game since the first training session.

He's very confident...as their record v us is very good. To quote him "Big T loves playing you blokes, he always goes well".

He openly admits that they're gone if the lose...and says the players are treating it as such. He attended a club function last weekend and said everyone is treating it as 'their GF'.


My comment = none of this is a surpirse. I am sure Sheensy is aware how important the game is to Penrith. I just hope our guys are 'up' for it...because we are going to get their full effort.

Side note : Jamie Lyons to Penrith is a very realistic chance. "

 

[cainen]

Well that's good to hear. Let's hope a good performance tomorrow can give us a roll on and late charge towards the finals.

 

[851]

Your forwards got you that roll on,and our ball control gave you the chances you needed to win,good on you anyway.

 

[PantherMel]

What did everyone think of the game?? I thought that the Panthers have improved massively. They still have a few things to work on for example holding onto the ball and preferably all our forwards getting in there. I have to admit though Joel Clinton had a blinder of a game. This game was one of his best.
These are my 3, 2, 1 points:

3 - Preston (great kicking game, great metres)
2 - Joel (Had more guts to run forward and smash the opposition)
1 - Stapleton (another person who had the balls to run forward)

What are other peoples thoughts

 

[Kilkenny]

All four front rowers were outstanding in a very committed performance.

We are well aware of the players we are losing at season. We need some good news. For starters we need to resign Danny Galea, Michael Gordon and Craig Stapleton. Considering the players we have lost these players need to be and deserve to be retained.

 

[Caged Panther]

It's kind of odd. While I'm happy with the win I came away last night not being at all impressed with their performance. Poor ball handiling, missed tackles, bad defensive options an eratic kicking game all added up to alot of tension and frustration.

But there was improvement and I have to give a wrap to the bench. Looking at our bench when it was named I have to say I didn't see much impact off it. But it was when the bench was let lose that the game started to turn inparticular on the back of Frank an Ation, while Norrie was no slouch either.

In the end what won it was our go foward in the later stages of the 2nd half and the fact that we did, eventually, get our kicking game together in the same period.

 

[Fibroman]

3. Clinton 2. Gower 1. Stapleton

 

[*Sandy*]

How did Swain go at Lock? Did he play a full 80 minutes or was he replaced by Aiton?

 

[Caged Panther]

replaced by ation

 

[choc_soldier]

We got out of jail with that one - that's how I will sum it up.

 

[innsaneink]

It's kind of odd. While I'm happy with the win I came away last night not being at all impressed with their performance. Poor ball handiling, missed tackles, bad defensive options an eratic kicking game all added up to alot of tension and frustration.

But there was improvement and I have to give a wrap to the bench. Looking at our bench when it was named I have to say I didn't see much impact off it. But it was when the bench was let lose that the game started to turn inparticular on the back of Frank an Ation, while Norrie was no slouch either.

In the end what won it was our go foward in the later stages of the 2nd half and the fact that we did, eventually, get our kicking game together in the same period.

Yeh I agree.....poor handling from you guys only kept us from being 30 behind and not 10 at half time.
You guys seemed to want it more in the 2nd half = congrats.