Round 7 v Broncos @ Suncorp - PANTHERS UNLEASHED IN BRISBANE

choc_soldier · Apr 19, 2004

The Panthers travel north for the ANZAC Day clash against the Broncos in Brisbane this Sunday. With both teams being heavily represented in the ANZAC test match on Friday night, and most of them expected to back up, this could turn out to be battle of attrition.

PANTHERS - Absolutely woeful against the Dragons, even though they were still a chance after 50 minutes, before being blown away. There seemed to be no intensity, and it greatly affected their performance. The boys will be greatly stung by this performance, and will bounce back this Sunday.

BRONCOS - Have just plugged away so far this year, and have a firm hold in the middle of the 8. Escaped from Townsville with the points last week. They are not exactly the Broncos that we have come to expect in previous years, but they are still not a team to be written off.

This looks like an evenly matched battle. The Broncos have seemingly shaken off their Suncorp hoodoo, and is slowly turning it into the fortress it should be.

Assuming all the rep players do back up, it will make this clash a more even battle.

The Panthers will be keen to show that last weeks display in the 'gong was just a one off, and the Broncos will want to keep building on their solid form.

Panthers by 8.

miccle · Apr 19, 2004

Fair call Parra Panther - both assessments of the sides were about right. The Panthers are still the benchmark with the roosters imo, and it's probably worse for the broncos that we're facing you guys after such a huge loss. The mark of a quality team is definitely the ability to back up after a loss, and after a rep game too might I add. Your mob will do that no worries and we have a massive battle on our hands.

Brisbane are finally, slowly regaining that auro and confidence that they well and truly lost last year. The personnel is still great and they've notched a couple of great wins at home. Backing up from the test wil be easier than previous years. Webcke just doesn't stop and imo the broncs have a little advantage here - our top-line players are almost USED TO IT!

Anyway guys and girls, this match will be an absolute cracker and I hope to see a big crowd back it up. I can't wait to see a tight, tough, gritty and exciting game of footy between two of the true heavyweights. Good luck panthers, and to any of you attending the match - i hope ya have a top day.

Broncos by 6.

SP · Apr 19, 2004

i'll be attending the match

i cant wait

Penrith by 5

*Sandy* · Apr 20, 2004

It's good to see the Bronc's have come back to what we are use to seeing and hearing of them. I'm also looking forward to the clash. A lot of key players backing up from the test on Friday ... which was mentioned that the Bronco's are use to. One more challenge the Panthers must overcome. Not that I am worried at all, that's one thing the Panthers seem to thrive on. Just hope all the boys pull up ok with no injuries.

I'll predict a tight match and say Panthers by 2.

I'm also looking forward to seeing a Gowie and Lockyer partnership on Friday night. ;-)

*Sandy* · Apr 20, 2004

Our Team named to play Brissy - picked up from PI.

1. Rhys Wesser, 2. Amos Roberts, 3. Ryan Girdler, 4. Luke Lewis, 5. Luke Rooney, 6. Preston Campbell, 7. Craig Gower (c), 8. Joel Clinton, 9. Luke Priddis, 10. Martin Lang, 11. Joe Galuvao, 12. Tony puletua, 13. Trent Waterhouse. Interchange (from): 14. Ben Ross, 15. Shane Rodney, 16. Luke Swain, 17. Paul Whatuira, 18. Frank Pritchard, 19. Danny Galea.

Good to see Swainy back.

And Lukey Lewis was named the 18th man for the Aussie Squad Friday.

Fibroman · Apr 21, 2004

Hopefully Joe and T pull through the test with no injuries. Touch wood, Gowie, Joel and Trent will be o.k. too. Lukey Lewis might be struggling to get much of a run.

*Sandy* · Apr 21, 2004

Gower ready to cement No.7 jersey
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Source from the NRL Official Site
20 April 2004

Australian halfback Craig Gower is confident he and Darren Lockyer are on their way to striking up a potentially match-winning partnership - an ominous sign for New Zealand ahead of Friday night's rugby league Test at EnergyAustralia Stadium.

The Australian backline is sprinkled with club combinations, except in the halves - a fact not lost on coach Wayne Bennett, who yesterday admitted Gower and Lockyer would have to work on their combination in the lead-up to the Test .

But Bennett would have been delighted to hear a confident Gower today predict he and Lockyer would have few problems gelling.

"I think I know how he plays and I think he knows how I play," Gower said.

"We'll just work on it at training and hopefully we'll have it down pat by
Friday. Hopefully we can just feed off each other's instinct out there and that's enough.

"I am sure Locky will want some early ball as will I. But I'm sure everything will be fine by Friday.

"Playing with a class player like Darren, it's going to be a thrill for me and I'm just looking forward to that opportunity."

The Penrith captain is also looking forward to wearing the green and gold No.7 jersey, something that seemed beyond his reach in the pre-season.

At that time Andrew Johns was ready to return from a neck injury and Brett Kimmorley was on a high after winning man of the series on last year's Kangaroo tour.

The spectre of Kimmorley still looms over Gower, but the classy Panthers half isn't allowing that to enter his thinking.

"I always think there's going to be pressure there, it's just how you handle it," Gower said.

"I just think I have to play well because I am in the side, not because someone is breathing down my neck.

"I suppose it's all up to me now. Brett's a great player in his own right but it's up to me to take it with both hands."

It could be a big week for Gower.

He also has an interest in racehorses, one of which will run tomorrow and another on Saturday.

Gower and hooker Danny Buderus caught up with injured Johns this morning to watch trackwork, where they exchanged notes on horse form rather than the intricacies of international football.

The 25-year-old Gower has tasted enough of that in his seven-Test career to know what to expect on Friday night.

"They're going to play us up the middle," Gower said.

"I don't think they're going to shift too much. But in saying that you never know what they're going to do. We're going to have to make sure our defence is strong around the middle of the ruck and make sure we stop their offloads."

Looks like I am not the only one looking forward to seeing the Gowie/Lockyer partnership.

He's all class our Gowie.

miccle · Apr 23, 2004

PK said:
He's all class our Gowie.

I have to agree with you there. Unfortunately for us, we have to face off against a side with the best halfback in the comp just 2 days after a test match. I can't wait to see him and locky in action tonight, but sheesh I hope Gower is tired this weekend or else we're GOOORRRNNE

*Sandy* · Apr 23, 2004

Going on last year when Gowie faced up to a Raiders side the night after playing for City...he was all the over Raiders.

You wouldnt have thought he had played a starring role the night before.

But this will be 2 days later and they all need to keep busy to keep the lactic acid or whatever it's called from settling in.

Crusader · Apr 25, 2004

You guys better start sending 'em some good vibes, can't let the Broncos win :shock:

*Sandy* · Apr 25, 2004

Not much we can do. Noted Big T put on a try. Go the Big Unit.

Wish i could view the match.

Big Mick · Apr 25, 2004

Joe is in trouble, got a report someone poked his eye, looked like swain and blood was streaming from there. doesn't look good.

SP · Apr 25, 2004

i couldnt go to the game

*Sandy* · Apr 25, 2004

51st min: It's a mistakeathon at Suncorp Stadium. Some end to end action, scrum wins against the feed, you name it, it's happened here this afternoon. I need a drink!

:shock: Gotta love the `I need a drink'!

That's no good about Joe. Damn.

*Sandy* · Apr 25, 2004

59th min: TRY - Panthers. Shane Rodney throws a loose pass, pciked up by Trnet Waterhouse and he sees some open space and makes a 25 metre dash to the line to get the Panthers back into the game. Conversion successful. Broncos 16-10.

Wahooo....come on Penrith!!!

Also counting down the numbers for Girds....4 points left. ;-)

SP · Apr 25, 2004

26-10

dont look good at all

*Sandy* · Apr 25, 2004

Yeah i think the Bronco's have run away with the 2 points here.

SP · Apr 25, 2004

yes defintly, 32-14 now

*Sandy* · Apr 25, 2004

Oh well...let's bring on the West Tigers now.

Big Panther Cool · Apr 25, 2004

I'm F***** pissed off with that effort from the Panthers today.

What the hell happened to their ball handling??

Just about every try from the Broncos came from stupid drop balls from the Panthers :x

For F**** Sakes, get some Araldite or something will ya guys [-o< HANG ON TO THE GOD DAMN BLOODY BALL ](*,)

Round 7 v Broncos @ Suncorp - PANTHERS UNLEASHED IN BRISBANE

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