Bench should be
May
Martin
Leinu
Burton
Solves that issue of moved guys into strange positions
Lets be realistic here. If Crichton was centre he scores the 2 tries Burton has the last 2 weeks.
The right is finally looking effective why change that too
More importantly it goes not far after Edwards is back into SOO. You would move the side for a few weeks then move stuff back when we lost the halves again
I'm not sure he scores the one of luais pass tbh. He has a completely different running style to Burton. He jinks and weaves. Similar to momo. It can be effective at times that style but sometimes you just need your centre to crash onto the ball at full tilt.
Matt has been terrific and removing him imo even from the starting 13 significantly decreases our chances of winning a comp year. He has such a good running game and needs to be on for 80.
For me the critta experiment at fb hasn't worked. I said he'd struggle and he has. Positioning isn't good enough and all the extremely tough work off the ball Edwards does hasn't happened. It all comes down to fitness.. he may not have looked as exhausted as rapana but rapana was in everything and all those little things Edwards does rapana was doing. The lack of effort on the crocker no try for mine sealed it. Can he be a good nrl fb, sure.. but he needs a full pre season of training there and upping his fitness to play that position. He may do ok over next few weeks against some of the lower placed teams but just missing to much atm to be reliable back there.
I dont want to be critical of him but I just haven't seen it with momo yet. I think he's defence is cleary better than nadens and in that regards him and critta are probably equal. I think naden offers more in attack than him but not as good in defence. Critta offers more in attack and is as good in defence. Unfortunately he'd be mu unlucky man out. Does he deserve it, no not at all, but hard decisions lay ahead.
Having said all that I wouldn't change anything till Edwards is back. I would let Staines chime in positioned at fb in attack more, especially back end of half's.
At full strength I'd go:
1. Edwards
2. Too
3. Burton
4. Critta
5. Staines
I realistically can't see ic changing it though and when Edwards is back I think he will drop Burton back to nsw cup.
The only other player really endanger of possibly losing his spot is tmay on the bench. Tmay just plays like another ball playing half when he comes on. A roll Burton could no doubt do better. Burton is faster, stronger running, passing,kicking, is quicker. Tmays defence is probably a bit stronger bit wouldn't be a lot in it. I love tmay and he's a great utility but if I had to choose off the evidence of what both have produced this year and the roll our 14 plays, I know whst way I'd go.
Big shout out to Charlie. Thought last night was close to his best game yet in fg. He got over powered a few times but there was a noticeable improvement this week in all facets of his game. He's coming along nicely atm. I can understand the temptation to move him but I just think he seems to be getting 5% better every week on the wing. He isn't going to be fb when Edwards is back so I'd rather him just keep improving out wide.
Martin had his best game of the season too. Was terrific. He needed it as I think he's form had been down. Hope he gets a bit of confidence out of that.
I know kiks only had 7 runs bit when he plays with anger he's a different beast. Tackling trying to belt blokes and steamrolling in attack. Whatever ivan said to him throughout the week keep it up.
Jerome luai is the 2nd best 5/8 in the league only behind Munster. He has gone to another level this year. He's short kicking game, especially grubbers are close to best in the comp. He's vision is top notch, I'm defence he's tough and he's an incredibly hard bloke to tackle. I Seriously think he could pass Munster in the future. Seriously special talent.
Spencer is a beast. Enough said.
Great effort by most last night. What a time to be a panthers fan. Just feels surreal atm. Hope ivan can keep the boys focused. I don't mind the cockyness. Tbh I think it helps these boys go to another level. Players like luai seem to thrive on the niggle and it helps them go up a notch. But ivan needs to let them know the rest of the comp is going to be gunning for us now. Everyone will want to knock us off our perch and be the first team to beat us.
Isn't it going to be on next time we play the raiders!! That was insulting for their whole club last night haha. Ricky looked completely humiliated and ready to explode in his presser haha.
