Round 7 vs Wests Tigers @Bathurst

[Crashtest]

I doubt he's even a target of ours

Agree with you there. The Panthers don’t usually come out in the media about who they are targetting, so probably a journalist assuming or making up a story.

 

[betcats]

Stefano at 23 is making a lot of tackles at a very high efficiency, well above Moses in that area and he’s running for more metres per game than any of our forwards not named Yeo. He fits in really well with our style of play.

 

[Crashtest]

Stefano at 23 is making a lot of tackles at a very high efficiency, well above Moses in that area and he’s running for more metres per game than any of our forwards not named Yeo. He fits in really well with our style of play.

I still don’t think the Panthers released his name as our target to replace Fish to the media though.

Also don’t think we can afford him. Struggling teams like Bulldogs and Dragons will offer him $900K or more when he is available.

 

[betcats]

I still don’t think the Panthers released his name as our target to replace Fish to the media though.

Also don’t think we can afford him. Struggling teams like Bulldogs and Dragons will offer him $900K or more when he is available.

Yeah I don’t know if we are or not but I think we’d be crazy not to try if he was available for next season, he’d be a good pickup under any circumstances(assuming we don’t overpay) but particularly given the short list of props available for 25 I think we would certainly be having a crack if was available.

 

[WestyLife]

Stefano would absolutely kill in our roster

 

[Crashtest]

Yeah I don’t know if we are or not but I think we’d be crazy not to try if he was available for next season, he’d be a good pickup under any circumstances(assuming we don’t overpay) but particularly given the short list of props available for 25 I think we would certainly be having a crack if was available.

I can’t see us getting in a bidding wall though, no matter how highly they may rate him.

The last week probably shows how they will handle Fish’s exit, with extending props Riki and Patea, and even Scott that can play lock. Which probably means they will then buy a cheaper middle that they feel they can get more out of to add to our existing squad.

 

[Crashtest]

Stefano would absolutely kill in our roster

But we don’t even get in bidding wars to keep to our own stars though, can you see us trying to outbid Dragons and Dogs?

 

[WestyLife]

But we don’t even get in bidding wars to keep to our own stars though, can you see us trying to outbid Dragons and Dogs?

If it happens they'll make a reasonable offer and either get him or won't no stress. Nothing says either of those teams will make an offer AND he'd be leaving the tigers due to not making the 8. He'd come to us because we're a top team who can help him develop his game and career.

 

[Pomoz]

Why would Stefano leave one struggling club for another? Only if he is motivated by money and a clause in his contract to leave if they don't make the finals suggest he is interested in winning, not money. Benji has improved the team, but is it enough to see them make the semi finals in the next few years?

Will Luai take them to the next level?

They haven't even secured a new CEO yet. Richardson remains unsigned and there is a rumour South's want him back. If he leaves, what then? Chaos will ensue.

Unless they finish the season strongly, if a club with a chance of winning a premiership offer him a reasonable deal, then he may choose to leave.

 

[CCJohnC]

Why only Ivan at the Press Conference? Any news on Edwards possible injury?

 

[Crashtest]

Why would Stefano leave one struggling club for another? Only if he is motivated by money and a clause in his contract to leave if they don't make the finals suggest he is interested in winning, not money. Benji has improved the team, but is it enough to see them make the semi finals in the next few years?

Will Luai take them to the next level?

They haven't even secured a new CEO yet. Richardson remains unsigned and there is a rumour South's want him back. If he leaves, what then? Chaos will ensue.

Unless they finish the season strongly, if a club with a chance of winning a premiership offer him a reasonable deal, then he may choose to leave.

If a player like Stefano decides to come to the Panthers for far less money for a chance to win a premiership, then great.

But even if the clauses in his contract may have genuinely been inserted to give him an out if the don’t make the finals, the cynical side in me says it will come down to money if he can use those clauses to get out of his existing contract.

I can’t think of a recent example where a star player that can command big dollars has signed for far less to move to a strong club.

 

[Hamstring awareness]

Hopefully he is not. I think there are more promising front towers out there if we were to go to market for one.

Who are the more promising front rowers out there?

 

[Iamback]

May is as powerfull isn't he?
Would be interesting however if decided to put Tago into the 2nd row now.

May looks strong but not sure if he has the leg power.

Either way all 3 can play and the bench/pack gets some much needed power

 

[betcats]

It’s not even who is out there it’s who is available. We’ve had no time to plan for this. Any forward who is good is not available next year besides a couple with get out clauses. In terms of props stefano is top of the list for who Is or might be available for next year.

Even the 2026 list of who is off contract and good isn’t a big one atm.

 

[Iamback]

Stefano at 23 is making a lot of tackles at a very high efficiency, well above Moses in that area and he’s running for more metres per game than any of our forwards not named Yeo. He fits in really well with our style of play.

That is what you need to look at, the starting point and where will he look when he is at his peak in 2-3 years

 

[PennyPanthers81]

Sezer charged with grade 1 dangerous contact for the bump on Schinider.

 

[hindy111]

It’s not even who is out there it’s who is available. We’ve had no time to plan for this. Any forward who is good is not available next year besides a couple with get out clauses. In terms of props stefano is top of the list for who Is or might be available for next year.

Even the 2026 list of who is off contract and good isn’t a big one atm.

Stefano will cost I think min 800k.

 

[The yak]

Stefano will cost I think min 800k.

I think so too. We shouldn't pay it though.
Either the Tigers will upgrade him (because Richardson overpays) or the Dogs will come in big. Because Gould overpays.

 

[maple_69]

I think the play would be to offer Stefano 2 x $650K. It's a tidy sum but he's not locked in long term. Obviously he'll get offers for $800+ but if he wants his chance at glory before he goes and get a monster long term deal it could be an attractive offer. Then we have a few years for Henry and Smith to develop into starters, along with Patea/others stepping into the bench roles.

Stefano aside, we could make this play at a number of quality guys, include edge forwards (Martin moving to prop for a few years at least) and the guy who accepts is the guy that's coming to win not to get paid.

 

[Frankus]

Who are the more promising front rowers out there?

Guess it comes down solely to opinion. From the games I’ve watched I rate Xavier Willison, Davvy Moale and Terrell May higher.