Round 21 V Sharks

[martielang]

He may just be a better 9 than Kenny. But Mitch has the wins under belt. Katoa was shithouse at the start of the year.

Battle of the average 9's begins tonight!

I think Kenny is a 14, Katoa probably is as well tbh.

Still think Katoa got the short end from media/fans/coach because no one wanted to criticize Cleary / Maloney at the beginning of the year. A couple of commentators pointed the finger at Katoa & everyone went all in. Granted, he also came up with a couple of brain dead plays that didn't exactly help his cause.

 

[Kilkenny]

I think Kenny is a 14, Katoa probably is as well tbh.

Still think Katoa got the short end from media/fans/coach because no one wanted to criticize Cleary / Maloney at the beginning of the year. A couple of commentators pointed the finger at Katoa & everyone went all in. Granted, he also came up with a couple of brain dead plays that didn't exactly help his cause.

I didn’t see what he was doing on the field warranted the criticism that came his way and given the way our season has gone I still think he is the best overall dummy half out of the three was have used.

 

[mxlegend99]

Still hearing Whare will be the one making way for Crichton.

What I was told on Tuesday was that the boys were told Whare would be playing cup this week to debut Crichton. I lost faith in that happening when we had 2 other rookies playing. Franklin thinks its forced... but in a huge game Ivan appears set to field 3 rookies when we could have had only 1.

 

[OldPanther]

What I was told on Tuesday was that the boys were told Whare would be playing cup this week to debut Crichton. I lost faith in that happening when we had 2 other rookies playing. Franklin thinks its forced... but in a huge game Ivan appears set to field 3 rookies when we could have had only 1.

If he does he earns a lot of respect from me for his giant coaching balls.

 

[Kilkenny]

Unless the coaches hand is forced as in the case of having to use Matt Burton I think young players have to be performing really well at the NSW Cup level before handing them a debut. I just don’t think Crichton’s form in NSW Cup has warranted a debut at this point in time.

 

[Blade23]

What I was told on Tuesday was that the boys were told Whare would be playing cup this week to debut Crichton. I lost faith in that happening when we had 2 other rookies playing. Franklin thinks its forced... but in a huge game Ivan appears set to field 3 rookies when we could have had only 1.

Its not forced.
I was told on the weekend Whare has been encouraged to look elsewhere next year as he wasn't guaranteed to play FG next year every week.
I was told Crichton would debut before the year was out but not told when.

I think Ivan is having one big throw at the stumps tonight and planning a little for next year.

 

[OldPanther]

Its not forced.
I was told on the weekend Whare has been encouraged to look elsewhere next year as he wasn't guaranteed to play FG next year every week.
I was told Crichton would debut before the year was out but not told when.

I think Ivan is having one big throw at the stumps tonight and planning a little for next year.

So you weren't told he's debuting tonight but this year?

 

[Blade23]

So you weren't told he's debuting tonight but this year?

I was told on the weekend he was debuting before the year was out. This morning I was told he was playing tonight with Whare out. As per Mx's post earlier in the week.

 

[mxlegend99]

I think Kenny is a 14, Katoa probably is as well tbh.

Still think Katoa got the short end from media/fans/coach because no one wanted to criticize Cleary / Maloney at the beginning of the year. A couple of commentators pointed the finger at Katoa & everyone went all in. Granted, he also came up with a couple of brain dead plays that didn't exactly help his cause.

Honestly all our hooking options are reserve graders. They show the odd patch of decent form. But none look better with more opportunities.

As utilities none of them offer much cover at all. Kenny and Katoa can play lock. But if there's one position on field we can easily cover it's lock.

In our starting side alone we have Yeo, Martin and JFH who all can cover it easily. Maybe Peachey being able to play nearly anywhere spoiled us a bit... and May being unavailable ruined our plans for 14. But at no point this year have we had a good utility IMO. Only way we covered multiple positions was carrying 2x players to do so.

 

[franklin2323]

What I was told on Tuesday was that the boys were told Whare would be playing cup this week to debut Crichton. I lost faith in that happening when we had 2 other rookies playing. Franklin thinks its forced... but in a huge game Ivan appears set to field 3 rookies when we could have had only 1.

Naden and Whare both in Captain's run photos. No Crichton but Naden's knee was strapped.

 

[franklin2323]

I think Kenny is a 14, Katoa probably is as well tbh.

Still think Katoa got the short end from media/fans/coach because no one wanted to criticize Cleary / Maloney at the beginning of the year. A couple of commentators pointed the finger at Katoa & everyone went all in. Granted, he also came up with a couple of brain dead plays that didn't exactly help his cause.

To be fair to Kenny been playing lots of lock previously. Too early to rule him out but looks perfect 14 to me

 

[Fangs]

I think Kenny is a 14, Katoa probably is as well tbh.

Still think Katoa got the short end from media/fans/coach because no one wanted to criticize Cleary / Maloney at the beginning of the year. A couple of commentators pointed the finger at Katoa & everyone went all in. Granted, he also came up with a couple of brain dead plays that didn't exactly help his cause.

As you've said before he needs to turn into a Havili or Brandon Smith type of player. Maybe later in his career he might become a starting 9 but he makes too many blunders. If I were him I'd get a contract here for unders or any club who looks due for some success. I certainly wouldn't go anywhere near a team like the Titans with the chance to play in the starting side. That ill stagnate his development and he will get completely written off and sent to the ESL.

Commentators can point him out but its just the 9 position generally. We don't have a quality hooker at the club. And we probably won't match what other clubs will offer Korisau.

 

[Buzzard Breath]

We’ll see Spencer Leniu and most likely Matt Burton make their NRL debuts against the Sharks on Friday but I’m also hearing there could be another late shake-up to Ivan Cleary’s side, with a veteran player potentially being dropped.
https://westernweekender.com.au/2019/08/masked-panther-clearys-heated-call-with-journo/

Sounds like Whare given the current rumours.

 

[OldPanther]

We’ll see Spencer Leniu and most likely Matt Burton make their NRL debuts against the Sharks on Friday but I’m also hearing there could be another late shake-up to Ivan Cleary’s side, with a veteran player potentially being dropped.
https://westernweekender.com.au/2019/08/masked-panther-clearys-heated-call-with-journo/

Sounds like Whare given the current rumours.

This is sounding pretty convincing. Winder why he is doing it. Pretty big for any coach.

 

[TheFrog]

The proof of the pudding is in the eating, but I'd have thought the side needed all the experience it could get in this game, especially with Maloney out.

 

[Vicpanther]

Honestly all our hooking options are reserve graders. They show the odd patch of decent form. But none look better with more opportunities.

As utilities none of them offer much cover at all. Kenny and Katoa can play lock. But if there's one position on field we can easily cover it's lock.

In our starting side alone we have Yeo, Martin and JFH who all can cover it easily. Maybe Peachey being able to play nearly anywhere spoiled us a bit... and May being unavailable ruined our plans for 14. But at no point this year have we had a good utility IMO. Only way we covered multiple positions was carrying 2x players to do so.

We have a potential first grade option that would work well. Sadly he is in the halves.

 

[Vicpanther]

The

The proof of the pudding is in the eating, but I'd have thought the side needed all the experience it could get in this game, especially with Maloney out.

Team looks tired to me. No one seems to be running hard. I think the effort we threw at the raiders has killed us.
Inject some youth and a fresh kiks this is ours.

 

[franklin2323]

We have a potential first grade option that would work well. Sadly he is in the halves.

Burton is too tall but there is few other halves that might make decent hookers in lower grades

 

[franklin2323]

Watching Flegg now. 1-17 so must be Falls and co coming in for Burton

 

[Buzzard Breath]

Official Crichton to debut.