Season '22

[Whino]

Api cleared to play.


Two-time grand final winner Api Koroisau, one of the last remaining vaccine-hesitant NRL players, has been cleared to play this season after receiving two doses of a COVID jab in a massive boost to Penrith’s grand final defence

Koroisau, who missed the Panthers’ grand final parade last year over his vaccination status, remains coy about the issue, but sources familiar with the situation have told the Herald one of Penrith’s key men will be right for round one.
It’s believed Koroisau never positioned himself as an anti-vaxxer, but took his time to receive a jab either side of the virus sweeping through the Panthers’ playing squad over the Christmas and New Year period.

Api Koroisau, one of the last NRL vaccine holdouts, free to play

The two-time premiership winner has given the Panthers a huge boost on the eve of the season with the NRL’s non-vaccinated group dwindling.

www.smh.com.au

 

[Smug Panther]

I was set on Tago on the left as Critter is a better right than left centre but if he's really struggling defensively he might need to move next the Nathan and Martin

 

[Aliceinwonderland]

I was set on Tago on the left as Critter is a better right than left centre but if he's really struggling defensively he might need to move next the Nathan and Martin

In my mind that would be a sensible option.

I think if picked Tago would have a body guard in Martin.

I'm sure the brains trust will sort this out.

 

[BossleyPanther]

Who are our Biggest threats?

I look at life through possibilities and probabilities. Going back to back going to be very hard. We can do it but I would be more confident if we had the players from last season. For me it is Parramatta's year, Manly as their opponents repeat of 1982 GF 40 years later. Dark horse is Cronulla, Listening to Brandy talk about the game yesterday has me thinking he will aim to get one of those Big Boys they have at the club. We do lack Size. Chris Smith will be our buy of the season.

Anyway Cant wait for the Games to start.

 

[Iamback]

Who are our Biggest threats?

I look at life through possibilities and probabilities. Going back to back going to be very hard. We can do it but I would be more confident if we had the players from last season. For me it is Parramatta's year, Manly as their opponents repeat of 1982 GF 40 years later. Dark horse is Cronulla, Listening to Brandy talk about the game yesterday has me thinking he will aim to get one of those Big Boys they have at the club. We do lack Size. Chris Smith will be our buy of the season.

Anyway Cant wait for the Games to start.

For me Manly. Roosters and Storm are built like us very top heavy but the premiers will be 1 of those 4 sides

We can't match Manly's speed. Our defence is going to be very strong but you can't defend a loose ball or a kick gathered.

That and of course injuries

I said elsewhere any of the senior guys go down we look very weak

Take Crichton out.

Tago/Jennings won't put fear in a top 8 side.

Same with To'o or Edwards

A back 3 that includes May and Staines won't do much in the big games

That goes for out edge forwards too

So doesn't even need to be a top player and we look weak

 

[BossleyPanther]

For me Manly. Roosters and Storm are built like us very top heavy but the premiers will be 1 of those 4 sides

We can't match their speed. Our defence is going to be very strong but you can't defend a loose ball or a kick gathered.

That and of course injuries

I said elsewhere any of the senior guys go down we look very weak

Take Crichton out.

Tago/Jennings won't put fear in a top 8 side.

Same with To'o or Edwards

A back 3 that includes May and Staines won't do much in the big games

That goes for out edge forwards too

So doesn't even need to be a top player and we look weak

That's right. Our top 15 is strong after that experience we lost. I wonder if Oates rumour will become reality. He can be handy on the bench. Can Tiny Play left centre?

 

[Girds89]

No point making predictions about where we will come or should come imo. New season, anything can happen.

I think to a large degree we were quite lucky with injuries last year. Yes we were busted in the gf but at least we had them out there. To be a force injuries really are the #1 most important thing. We certainly dont have the depth this year compared to last. Cant help but feel letting naden go on minimums was a mistake.

This really is the year for staines. I just havent seen enough in him to suggest he is a fg player and certainly not outing dylan. He gets the first few rds on the wing imo but if he doesnt perform i want taylan in there. Hes the future imo. And i want turuva playing fb or centre only in nsw cup as they are the positions he is needed. But i think hes a fb. Said it last year but he looks just a super talent.

Blokes like blacker are just not fg. So i dont even consider him depth. Riki we wont know about till hes fit. Jenkins will need another year of development id say.

Rob jennings is reliable and is capable of filling a wing spot if needed. Chris smith too imo is reliable and will be good for us if he stays fit.

Hopgood, leniu and lindsay smith must kick on this year and all really have break out seasons for where they are at respectivley.

Kiks and api need to be at their best. And critta needs to get involved. I said last year i just dont think hes an elite level centre yet and nothing has changed my mind yet. Manu is a whole class above him. Critta needs to not fall into the m jennings trap and actually go look for the ball and get involved.

Edwards, nath, fish, yeo, leota, martin, too will all be reliable and good most weeks.

Luai needs a big start to the season after a slow back half of last year.

A few on here believe salmon will be the 14. Personally i think theres big issues if hes the 14. Yes he offers versatility but thats it. Id rather kenny anywhere in the pack over him. Salmon is slow and avergage.

I understand in the modern game its important to carry someone flexible on the bench but there has to be a better option than salmon. Id play a complete rookie and completley not ready bloke in Puru before him. At least he has speed and skill.

So like most teams i think injuries will largely decide how we go this year.

Lastly i think ivan needs to look to continue to advance our game and not rest on last seasons game plan. We need new attacking plays and structures. We were largely figured out in attack in the last quarter of last season and really struggled to score points in the big games. Ivan needs to find new ways to exploit teams and get players like staines and critta involved. He needs to get his bench rotations right too.

I still think Tago is going to have a breakout year. He may struggle in defence but i think Ivan needs to stick with him. Kiks isnt a rookie anymore and he needs to be making the right decisions in d otherwise it will leave poor Tago in impossible situations. Someonw like momo was a great defender and more experienced and hes work in defence went largely unappreciated by panthers fans. If dean whare retires any time soon it wouldnt hurt to bring him back as a backs defense coach. He could teach our young guys a lot.

High hopes for 2022. I think we will be a bit rusty with a lot of guys on a limited preseason etc. But heres hoping we can be competitive and remain injury free and see where we can get too.

 

[Girds89]

Also id love to sign oates. Long shot i know but it also gives nathan an aerial kicking option which is something we havent had for ages. We basically gone the last two years at the top without an aerial kicking threat on the wings which is nuts. Oates, too and edwards coming out of our end is unstoppable imo.

Personally i think a backline of

Edwards
Oates
Critta
Tago
Too

Is execptionally strong.

It would mean we could possbly play taylan may at 14. He has played hooker. He can cover 1, 2,3,4,5 and 9 at a pinch. And he has x factor.

 

[martielang]

Big year for Crichton imo. Needs to show us something with the ball.

 

[BossleyPanther]

I would rather Turuva at FB than Staines. He is exceptional talent and has what it takes I believe. Our Prop Talent is small compared to Sharks. Blacker is tiny and injury prone.

 

[BossleyPanther]

Also id love to sign oates. Long shot i know but it also gives nathan an aerial kicking option which is something we havent had for ages. We basically gone the last two years at the top without an aerial kicking threat on the wings which is nuts. Oates, too and edwards coming out of our end is unstoppable imo.

Personally i think a backline of

Edwards
Oates
Critta
Tago
Too

Is execptionally strong.

It would mean we could possbly play taylan may at 14. He has played hooker. He can cover 1, 2,3,4,5 and 9 at a pinch. And he has x factor.

Good to know, he does look stocky to play 9

 

[BossleyPanther]

I forget who is the Blackburn Rover fan on here???

 

[DinkyDi]

Ranking the five best NRL centres ahead of the 2022 season - Serious About Rugby League

Ranking the NRL stars is always a difficult job to do considering the level at which most in the competition play to. We’ve already recorded the five best NRL halfbacks and fullbacks and put them in order and now it’s the turn of centres. Trying to pinpoint five of the best for one position is […]

www.seriousaboutrl.com

 

[Iamback]

That's right. Our top 15 is strong after that experience we lost. I wonder if Oates rumour will become reality. He can be handy on the bench. Can Tiny Play left centre?

I'd have him on the wing round 1. If Ivan goes with Staines

Then Jennings/May are my NSW Cup centres. Jenkins and the guys behind need more development to be FG ready

 

[Iamback]

Big year for Crichton imo. Needs to show us something with the ball.

He falls into the Edwards category for me.

Edwards needs less injuries to show his attack

Crichton needs to be on the one side all year. Moving him around last year did him no favours

 

[BossleyPanther]

I'd have him on the wing round 1. If Ivan goes with Staines

Then Jennings/May are my NSW Cup centres. Jenkins and the guys behind need more development to be FG readuvay

Staines needs to be special this season for him to be in the 17. I'll be gutted to lose Turuva.

 

[The_Frog]

Predicted Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Charlie Staines 3. Stephen Crichton 4. Izack Tago 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Mitch Kenny 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Spencer Leniu 17. J’maine Hopgood

As Franklin already pointed out, we need a 14 who can cover centre. Ivan will be acutely aware of this.

 

[Iamback]

Staines needs to be special this season for him to be in the 17. I'll be gutted to lose Turuva.

Surely Turuva gets a run this year. He is too raw for regular NRL but should atleast get a game or 2

 

[DinkyDi]

As Franklin already pointed out, we need a 14 who can cover centre. Ivan will be acutely aware of this.

Sean O'Sullivan will fit the bill.

 

[The_Frog]

Sean O'Sullivan will fit the bill.

I should have been more precise. We need a 14 who can cover centre if required, or otherwise make 25 tackles in 25 minutes in the middle. Having someone who can do one but not the other hands a significant advantage to our opponents.