Round 21 V Sharks

[steve carter]

My favourite win for the last two years. To have so many debutants and young players in the team just makes it all that bit more special. Brilliant! A couple of points:

• Once again we made more metres than opposition. We had faster play the balls and more post contact metres. Our forwards were on top, but this time it was the back row who made the metres. Tamou, Leota and RCG didn't make 100m this week. In fact Tamou and Leota made 60 and 67m respectively. Our forwards do the job for us every week. We just need backs that can finish teams off.
• JFH 188m, 40 tackles albeit with 9 missed and his usual couple of penalties. 80 minutes of gut wrenching effort and inspiration. He does it every week. Simply outstanding.

• Our line speed and aggression in defence was superb. This is where Kenny is a step above Egan and Katoa. He just rips in aggressively and tries to pummel blokes. He helps set the tone of our defence and Woods, Fifita and Gallen just couldn't get going. Woods and Gallen made 7m a run. Fifita 9m. They were unable to bend our line until the end when we were gassed and it was too late.

• Burton probably made Luai's agent very nervous. He seems to be very cool under pressure, isn't scared of getting hit and also ripped in with some good aggressive tackles. Once he has a few pre seasons under his belt and strengthens up a bit, he will be an outstanding player. Is it me, but does he look better than Luai? A different type of player, but more likely to get a team to win games. Imagine a Luai/Burton combination with Cleary at hooker. In a few years could this be a GF winning spine? It couldn't possibly happen, could it?

• What a difference it makes when your backline have a semblance of pace (Ivan please take note. No more f%cking back rowers in the centres). Although not super quick (an ageing Morris is still quicker than any of our players), they are at least fast enough to cause the opposition issues in attack so they are harder to defend against and to prevent too many line breaks by being run around.

• Too is a beast. He is only a rookie winger, but when he left the field for an HIA, we missed him.

• As others have said, it was a lot closer than it needed to be. Two players on the bench played a combined 11 minutes. That made no sense especially since the debutants were looking gassed (Burton had cramp). Ivan's only black mark.

• Ivan got Z- last week for what I can only describe as a sh%t on a stick performance. I have to give him A+ for this week. He has handled the debutants admirably. They all handled their first game with aplomb even against such a hard, experienced team like Cronulla.

• What about Martins hit on Prior? He just cut him in half. Awesome and you could hear Hook getting excited about it in the commentary box. The Sharks just realised they were in for a tough game and were going to get bashed. Some of them clearly weren't up for it. As Hook pointed out, some players started to run away from him!

Summed it up nicely. 100% agree.

 

[10Grand]

Yeah the boys!!!

I love this team, we are producing some amazing humble players, they all seem to love the club and ripping in with each other.

I realise it’s only early days, but I hope we can keep this group together for the next 5 or so years.

Thats exactly what Gus felt 5 years ago and ended up over paying on potential creating complacency with a few.We need to learn from that maybe only 1 or 2 year extensions unless its once in a generation kinda kid.Keep them hungry for success and financial rewards will follow.

 

[Luke Bowden]

Thats exactly what Gus felt 5 years ago and ended up over paying on potential creating complacency with a few.We need to learn from that maybe only 1 or 2 year extensions unless its once in a generation kinda kid.Keep them hungry for success and financial rewards will follow.

I didn’t say we should sign them all to 5 year contracts, I would just like to keep them all at the club for 5 years.

 

[Abacus]

It was a good win last night. Congrats to the club. They came out faster and harder than the Sharks - a vast improvement on last week's effort. But were the Sharks down a bit after their game against the Rabbits?

The question now is what wiĺl the club offer next week. Will it be a repeat of last night or was the effort more emotion-based given debutants and the embarrassment against the Dogs?

And what will our gameplan and structure be? Will the club double-down on Nathan's performance last night and ask Maloney to play second-fiddle (similar role to Burton) - & is Nathan capable of backing up last night's effort?

Unfortunately, I can't see how 1 good half of footy is enough to generate the excitable assertions being made here. If anything it just further illustrates the inconsistency of the team's preparation and performance.

 

[franklin2323]

It was a good win last night. Congrats to the club. They came out faster and harder than the Sharks - a vast improvement on last week's effort. But were the Sharks down a bit after their game against the Rabbits?

The question now is what wiĺl the club offer next week. Will it be a repeat of last night or was the effort more emotion-based given debutants and the embarrassment against the Dogs?

And what will our gameplan and structure be? Will the club double-down on Nathan's performance last night and ask Maloney to play second-fiddle (similar role to Burton) - & is Nathan capable of backing up last night's effort?

Unfortunately, I can't see how 1 good half of footy is enough to generate the excitable assertions being made here. If anything it just further illustrates the inconsistency of the team's preparation and performance.

It was an easy game to get up for. Backing it up will be the hardest part

 

[Crashtest]

I didn’t say we should sign them all to 5 year contracts, I would just like to keep them all at the club for 5 years.

Does anyone know the contract situation with Crichton and Burton?

Is Burton at least signed up with our Canterurbury Cup team for next year? And was Crichton's development player contract just for this year, or next year as well given that he was signed up late this year to it?

 

[herbert henry1908]

Does anyone know the contract situation with Crichton and Burton?

Is Burton at least signed up with our Canterurbury Cup team for next year? And was Crichton's development player contract just for this year, or next year as well given that he was signed up late this year to it?

I can’t find any information, but I’m sure both will be with us next year. Giving them a taste tells them they’re wanted.

 

[Dave's mate]

I can’t find any information, but I’m sure both will be with us next year. Giving them a taste tells them they’re wanted.

Roosters signing Flanno jr also helps. merkins always swoop in for these types

 

[Thirsty Panther]

I thought I could see a guy across in the Eastern Grandstand without a shirt on but it was too far for me to be sure. What a maniac. I reckon he may have been affected by more than just alcohol!

Yes he was shirtless. I don't know how he coped with the cold. I had a singlet, shirt, jersey and coat on and I was freezing my arrse off. He has been like that for the last 5 games that I've been to.
He loves his Panthers so he OK with me.

Anyone else see the bloke get marched out by security for throwing his losing double tickets onto the ground? They must have used video to track him down.

 

[OldPanther]

For anyone who doesn't leave Panther land. Kalyn Ponga Flying kick:

 

[franklin2323]

Only junior deals for Burton and Crichton. Both signed for 2 years after they won the National u18's

 

[Crashtest]

Only junior deals for Burton and Crichton. Both signed for 2 years after they won the National u18's

Do junior deals stop other NRL teams from being able to sign them in their top 30? Or can NRL contracts supersede juniour deals?

 

[Abacus]

Do junior deals stop other NRL teams from being able to sign them in their top 30? Or can NRL contracts supersede juniour deals?

Yes, contract is a contract (NRL v juniors is irrelevant) . So they're able to be approached by rival clubs from 1 November.

 

[franklin2323]

Yes, contract is a contract (NRL v juniors is irrelevant) . So they're able to be approached by rival clubs from 1 November.

They won't get off contract. They will get an extension before then I have no doubt

 

[betcats]

Just watched the game, Burton will be the 6 next year calling it now.

 

[Abacus]

Just watched the game, Burton will be the 6 next year calling it now.

Maybe not at the start of the season. I think Luai will be given his opportunity with Burton playing CC.

I would however be extending both. Luai until end 2021 so he can play 2020 without constant contract speculation. Burton until 2022 so he has the opportunity to do the same in 2021 (remembering he's only 19).

 

[Luke Bowden]

Just watched the game, Burton will be the 6 next year calling it now.

I’d be happy with that.

 

[OldPanther]

Just watched the game, Burton will be the 6 next year calling it now.

Luai will be feeling some pressure for sure.

His first ever NRL try assist:

 

[10Grand]

Hey guys whatya reckon with these Pen/sharks combo team
1.Moylan
2.Younquest
3.Pomeroy
4.mcgaw
5.Franze
6.Campbell
7.Maloney (c)
8.Ross
9.Segeyaro
10.Lang
11.Graham
12.Peachy
13.Lewis
Coach.John Lang..

 

[Aliceinwonderland]

Just watched the game, Burton will be the 6 next year calling it now.

I agree. May will be let go, Lui super sub at 14, Kenny will play 80 mins. The Peach will not return. Calling it now. Now club make it happen.