Round 2 v Bulldogs

[Munted]

That is just plain stupidity from Griffin in my opinion. Our best possible forward pack would have ET playing the full 80 and racking up 50+ tackles with 2 of the 3 strike weapons of Merrin, Cartwright and Peachey always being on the field (if they are fit).

I guess that would dampen JFH's development a little, but he only played 20 minutes against the Raiders anyway.

Id rather drop McPloddy for JFH, and run Taylor so he can make a billion tackles.

 

[franklin2323]

That is just plain stupidity from Griffin in my opinion. Our best possible forward pack would have ET playing the full 80 and racking up 50+ tackles with 2 of the 3 strike weapons of Merrin, Cartwright and Peachey always being on the field (if they are fit).

I guess that would dampen JFH's development a little, but he only played 20 minutes against the Raiders anyway.

If Merrin is preferred lock though. Taylor offers little in the backrow. Not saying I agree with it. Merrin swap with McKendry. Taylor at lock is far better but I can't see it for a while yet.

 

[MrBlack]

My best (available) team would be

Wallace to 9
TMM to 7
Taylor to 13
Merrin to 8
McKendry to NSW Cup.

TMM on the field with both Wallace and Soward would be a great introduction for him.

And instruct the forwards to offload all game - we are way more dangerous from 2nd phase play

 

[Sime_11]

And instruct the forwards to offload all game - we are way more dangerous from 2nd phase play

THIS!!!!

As well as odd grubber when we are attacking the oppositions try line, more of a chance to force a repeat set if we cant score, more defensive pressure for the opposition and with the Interchange down to 8, it gives an edge to the attacking side.

If Merrin has to stay at lock, what about ET to prop (lol yes I typed that), he only runs forward and will make a heap of tackles, will be more effective than McKendry IMO.

Peachey at 9 really interests me, he could be very damaging in the second half if we get on a roll. But we do have to overcome Canterbury's pack....

anyone have an idea for ticket sales at the moment?

 

[betcats]

Griffin said Whare is still a chance to play but sounds unlikely.

 

[Kilkenny]

In my opinion, for what it is worth, Elijah Taylor either starts and plays big minutes or doesn't play at all. Yes I guess he could be considered cover for Peachy in the dummy half position but it really upsets the balance of the side. One of the things we weren't able to do on the weekend was effectively shut down the Raiders offloads and the Bulldogs are equally likely to punish us with there second phase play and offloads.

Is there any information in relation to why Latu isn't available for selection? I just can't help thinking he will add value to our forward pack given his size, mobility and off loading ability.

If we don't win the forward battle in the first 20 against the Bulldogs we have little chance of securing the two points. If they get on the front foot and hit the lead I don't think we have the points in us to to get over the top of them.

 

[betcats]

In my opinion, for what it is worth, Elijah Taylor either starts and plays big minutes or doesn't play at all. Yes I guess he could be considered cover for Peachy in the dummy half position but it really upsets the balance of the side. One of the things we weren't able to do on the weekend was effectively shut down the Raiders offloads and the Bulldogs are equally likely to punish us with there second phase play and offloads.

Is there any information in relation to why Latu isn't available for selection? I just can't help thinking he will add value to our forward pack given his size, mobility and off loading ability.

If we don't win the forward battle in the first 20 against the Bulldogs we have little chance of securing the two points. If they get on the front foot and hit the lead I don't think we have the points in us to to get over the top of them.

Griffin said today Latu might play nsw cup this w.e

 

[BuddPanther]

So the general consensus is that the Dogs forwards will blow us off the park in the first 20 mins and be up by 18-20. Could happen. But what could also happen if we play smart, don't give away dumb holding down penalties and more importantly hold onto the f$&#ing ball, is that we tear them apart with our superior ball movement and it's the Panthers up by 18-20. Don't think the Dogs can recover from that. obviously hoping for the latter. Could be the game to really kick start our year and with Moylan returning soon I'm thinking it will be a great year for the Panthers...

 

[Kilkenny]

Griffin said today Latu might play nsw cup this w.e

He is definitely NRL standard so sooner he is fit and putting pressure on the starting 17 the better off we will be.

 

[SweetandSoward]

As long as we don't giveaway penalties and have great defense. Our halves will stand up and lead the way with there kicks.

 

[Frankus]

If Merrin is preferred lock though. Taylor offers little in the backrow. Not saying I agree with it. Merrin swap with McKendry. Taylor at lock is far better but I can't see it for a while yet.

I never said Merrin at lock, as you say he can play front row, back row, whatever. I just think we need 2 of the 3 of Merrin, Cartwright and Peachey on the field at all times. Taylor allows that to happen in my opinion. Especially now with Segs gone for 6 or so weeks.

 

[Frankus]

So the general consensus is that the Dogs forwards will blow us off the park in the first 20 mins and be up by 18-20. Could happen. But what could also happen if we play smart, don't give away dumb holding down penalties and more importantly hold onto the f$&#ing ball, is that we tear them apart with our superior ball movement and it's the Panthers up by 18-20. Don't think the Dogs can recover from that. obviously hoping for the latter. Could be the game to really kick start our year and with Moylan returning soon I'm thinking it will be a great year for the Panthers...

Did you watch the game against Manly? The dogs forwards were ruthless in the first half. I'm not a defeatist, but this will be a tough game if they come out firing the same way. I just don't see us having the firepower to match them.

 

[franklin2323]

I never said Merrin at lock, as you say he can play front row, back row, whatever. I just think we need 2 of the 3 of Merrin, Cartwright and Peachey on the field at all times. Taylor allows that to happen in my opinion. Especially now with Segs gone for 6 or so weeks.

I don't argue with you. Griffin sees Merrin as a lock so in that case Taylor is with the backrowers who offer more then him

 

[TheFrog]

Did you watch the game against Manly? The dogs forwards were ruthless in the first half. I'm not a defeatist, but this will be a tough game if they come out firing the same way. I just don't see us having the firepower to match them.

If over half a century watching this sport has taught me one thing, it is that what happened last week doesn't always happen this week.

The Dogs played well against a pretty sad Manly side. They made very few mistakes, passes stuck and ground was made pretty much with ease, especially in the first half. If that continues they will be one of the top sides this year, but I put them in the lower reaches of the Top 8 at best, and they are certainly not unbeatable tonight.

 

[Frankus]

If over half a century watching this sport has taught me one thing, it is that what happened last week doesn't always happen this week.

The Dogs played well against a pretty sad Manly side. They made very few mistakes, passes stuck and ground was made pretty much with ease, especially in the first half. If that continues they will be one of the top sides this year, but I put them in the lower reaches of the Top 8 at best, and they are certainly not unbeatable tonight.

We live in hope Mr Frog.

 

[Luke Bowden]

I heard on 2GB that Whare is a good chance at being a late inclusion.

 

[ACTPanthers]

If over half a century watching this sport has taught me one thing, it is that what happened last week doesn't always happen this week.

The Dogs played well against a pretty sad Manly side. They made very few mistakes, passes stuck and ground was made pretty much with ease, especially in the first half. If that continues they will be one of the top sides this year, but I put them in the lower reaches of the Top 8 at best, and they are certainly not unbeatable tonight.

Not always no, but form is really the only thing to go on - Dogs have it, we don't.

 

[mxlegend99]

I heard on 2GB that Whare is a good chance at being a late inclusion.

Hope we just rest him the extra 10 days. Our odds at winning don't change too dramatically with or without him. Especially with a limited pre-season.

We really don't want to start the season off with back to back losses. But starting it off with Whare re-injuring himself and missing a bigger chunk of the season would be worse.

 

[ACTPanthers]

Hope we just rest him the extra 10 days. Our odds at winning don't change too dramatically with or without him. Especially with a limited pre-season.

We really don't want to start the season off with back to back losses. But starting it off with Whare re-injuring himself and missing a bigger chunk of the season would be worse.

These 2 points seem to contradict each other though - He won't get match fit without playing games - If he's fit, play him IMO

 

[BxTom]

I wouldn't be calling any team the form team until we are 3-4 games in. Doggies win might be the only one all year if early rounds from the last few seasons are any guide.


Tom