Round two vs the Dragons.

[Iamback]

The 2022 Dragons side on paper is probably their strongest since the Bennett days. They’ve made some handy signings, cleared out some deadwood and have some talented kids coming through. They also seem to start the season well (May Premiers anyone?). With all this in mind I think it would be naive to think we can simply show up and win this one.

I rate their kids very highly.

The thing is we are just so good at playing our own game. Where we struggle is when we need to go to plan B or C

Luai has only lost 5 games he has started in
Across the last 2 seasons Yeo and Cleary have lost a handful of games

We are very well at preparing for games and rarely have an off game.

That is what I mean. We will hit the field get into positions we to. Kick to corners and so on
It wears the sides down and even on off games we can strangle the wins

 

[snickers007]

Spencer averaged 24 minutes across the 2021 regular season. The question marks on him have always been around his ability to play big minutes, not his involvement level.

24mins with the half-time break in between. That's what allows him to maintain his high involvement - it's 2 really short bursts.

I'm sure Spencer would love to be a starting prop one day. But at the moment, the makeup of our squad really doesn't allow it, and that's not his role. His time will come, there is plenty of footy left in him.

There is also no shame in being an impact bench player. It's a 17 man game.

Fully expecting to see him sub on and off for JFH tomorrow night. There is really no reason to mess too much with our prop rotation. Whoever replaces Leota in the 17 will start (Huth/Hopgood).

 

[Panfa]

Spencer has the speed and aggressive running game to terrorise opposition teams as an edge backrower when kikau leaves.Otherwise he remains as bench prop and either maverick geyer or Preston riki take kikaus spot in the run on side.

 

[Smug Panther]

Spencer has the speed and aggressive running game to terrorise opposition teams as an edge backrower when kikau leaves.Otherwise he remains as bench prop and either maverick geyer or Preston riki take kikaus spot in the run on side.

Out and out middle

 

[Iamback]

24mins with the half-time break in between. That's what allows him to maintain his high involvement - it's 2 really short bursts.

I'm sure Spencer would love to be a starting prop one day. But at the moment, the makeup of our squad really doesn't allow it, and that's not his role. His time will come, there is plenty of footy left in him.

There is also no shame in being an impact bench player. It's a 17 man game.

Fully expecting to see him sub on and off for JFH tomorrow night. There is really no reason to mess too much with our prop rotation. Whoever replaces Leota in the 17 will start (Huth/Hopgood).

That is likely how it goes.

Come Origin and a HIA in the finals. He will be needed to do more and less risk with virtually a full strength side to cover him

 

[John Hamblin]

We have a remarkable record over the last 2 years only losing 5 regular season games most of those when we were vastly understrength. Our defence should win us the game and I expect Cody Ramsey to cop a barrage of bombs. Go Panthers!!

 

[Iamback]

We have a remarkable record over the last 2 years only losing 5 regular season games most of those when we were vastly understrength. Our defence should win us the game and I expect Cody Ramsey to cop a barrage of bombs. Go Panthers!!

Yep some guys have an amazing win record

We won the comp despite being 80%. Sure this side is weaker but so are the opposition.
defence and kicking game gets us home

 

[Vicpanther]

36-14 is my prediction this week.

 

[Hamstring awareness]

24mins with the half-time break in between. That's what allows him to maintain his high involvement - it's 2 really short bursts.

I'm sure Spencer would love to be a starting prop one day. But at the moment, the makeup of our squad really doesn't allow it, and that's not his role. His time will come, there is plenty of footy left in him.

There is also no shame in being an impact bench player. It's a 17 man game.

Fully expecting to see him sub on and off for JFH tomorrow night. There is really no reason to mess too much with our prop rotation. Whoever replaces Leota in the 17 will start (Huth/Hopgood).

Good point about the half time break. I’m a big fan of Spencer’s and my reply was not a knock on him, merely pointing out that expecting him to maintain his output over longer minutes would be unrealistic, at least in the short term. With pretty much any front rower besides Payne Haas the law of diminishing returns kicks in if they have to play more minutes than they are used to.

As much as I am not an Eisenhuth fan I agree he should be given first crack at Leota’s starting spot. Let Leniu play for 30-35 and see how he goes.

 

[Iamback]

Good point about the half time break. I’m a big fan of Spencer’s and my reply was not a knock on him, merely pointing out that expecting him to maintain his output over longer minutes would be unrealistic, at least in the short term. With pretty much any front rower besides Payne Haas the law of diminishing returns kicks in if they have to play more minutes than they are used to.

As much as I am not an Eisenhuth fan I agree he should be given first crack at Leota’s starting spot. Let Leniu play for 30-35 and see how he goes.

IMO a starting prop needs to only make 100m to be solid. Spencer will do that easily even if his impact falls away but at some stage he needs to start. Especially as we are looking to re-sign him

 

[Aliceinwonderland]

 

[maple_69]

I’m fine with giving him a crack starting. Even if he only goes 20 mins at the highest point of game intensity. We should have the Dragons covered and I’d rather see what the kid has now. Who knows he might blow the door off. We know what Eisenhuth will deliver and it’ll be solid.

 

[Aliceinwonderland]

Before watching this video, please go and get some tissues......It's a doozy.

Jersey Presentation: Viliame Kikau

An emotional Viliame Kikau receives the jersey for his 100th NRL game from his family during a surprise visit from Fiji.

www.penrithpanthers.com.au

 

[Girds89]

Before watching this video, please go and get some tissues......It's a doozy.

Jersey Presentation: Viliame Kikau

An emotional Viliame Kikau receives the jersey for his 100th NRL game from his family during a surprise visit from Fiji.

www.penrithpanthers.com.au

Think that should settle any nerves that he wasnt going to put in this year.

Beautiful video and big kiks spoke so well.

 

[Aliceinwonderland]

Think that should settle any nerves that he wasnt going to put in this year.

Beautiful video and big kiks spoke so well.

So wonderful. Folks from other clubs on twitter saying what a beautiful video it is.

 

[soc123_au]

Before watching this video, please go and get some tissues......It's a doozy.

Jersey Presentation: Viliame Kikau

An emotional Viliame Kikau receives the jersey for his 100th NRL game from his family during a surprise visit from Fiji.

www.penrithpanthers.com.au

Nice. Great to see some of his family there.

 

[ACTPanthers]

Before watching this video, please go and get some tissues......It's a doozy.

Jersey Presentation: Viliame Kikau

An emotional Viliame Kikau receives the jersey for his 100th NRL game from his family during a surprise visit from Fiji.

www.penrithpanthers.com.au

I think I have something in my eye...

 

[Bodhi]

Before watching this video, please go and get some tissues......It's a doozy.

Jersey Presentation: Viliame Kikau

An emotional Viliame Kikau receives the jersey for his 100th NRL game from his family during a surprise visit from Fiji.

www.penrithpanthers.com.au

What a classy gesture from the club too to fly his family over and make it even more special for him. Very proud of this joint!

 

[John Hamblin]

WOW ! That was special now come out tonight and make your family proud!!!

 

[Kilkenny]

It goes without saying every game is important but tonight will be tough. I’m expecting the Dragons to play really well so we will have to be near our best.