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State of origin series

Pumpkin

Juniors
Messages
364
I can understand the selection of Walker. Atleast he's had big match and origin experience and he's been a consistent performer. Nsw have been struggling to break through the Qld goal line defence and that's sort of Cody's specialty.

However, Slater is probably devising a plan right now to shut him down.
 

Iamback

Referee
Messages
20,285
I can understand the selection of Walker. Atleast he's had big match and origin experience and he's been a consistent performer. Nsw have been struggling to break through the Qld goal line defence and that's sort of Cody's specialty.

However, Slater is probably devising a plan right now to shut him down.

Won't have to change much, Rush the halves and NSW have no space to do anything.

NSW did nothing to stop that
 

Black Diamond

Juniors
Messages
1,177
I can understand the selection of Walker. Atleast he's had big match and origin experience and he's been a consistent performer. Nsw have been struggling to break through the Qld goal line defence and that's sort of Cody's specialty.

However, Slater is probably devising a plan right now to shut him down.
And he did so well in those big matches didnt he? Panthers sorted him out and nullified him in 2021Grand Final and he was non existent in his other Origin appearance. He looses his cool easily and his game goes to shit.
 

betcats

Referee
Messages
23,956
stinks of a bit of desperation tbh. I know Brandy said last night they have been looking at Best for a while but bloody hell i cannot beleive that, he has been pretty bad all year besides the dogs game. Cody at least has been in good form. Luai dropping is harsh but at least there is an argument Cody has been playing very well across the year. Best is has not, id be going with Burto, staggs before him. Didnt tago just have a blinder against Best? what are they thinking
 

Iamback

Referee
Messages
20,285
stinks of a bit of desperation tbh. I know Brandy said last night they have been looking at Best for a while but bloody hell i cannot beleive that, he has been pretty bad all year besides the dogs game. Cody at least has been in good form. Luai dropping is harsh but at least there is an argument Cody has been playing very well across the year. Best is has not, id be going with Burto, staggs before him. Didnt tago just have a blinder against Best? what are they thinking

The Luai dropping on makes sense to go to Hynes or someone long term.

If Best was on the radar why was he not 19th man or something earlier?

You think Brandy's interview was bad. Freddy's today was far worse. The answers made zero sense
 

Sime_11

Juniors
Messages
1,697
there's talk of RCG being selected now that Luai/Cleary arent there.

was it ever confirmed (Blade might have inside info?) - was there bad blood between Penrith players and RCG?

I swear Yeo said last year it was horseshit
 

BxTom

Bench
Messages
2,674
Both are equally at fault. It's disappointing because Brandy is a club legend for us and Fittler is my favourite player of all time but they can't hide from this.

Quite often great players can't coach. Bobby Charlton says hello. Not sure exactly what part Brandy plays in this fiasco. I think his official title is 'adviser'. Anyone putting their money on NSW can kiss it goodbye.
 

betcats

Referee
Messages
23,956
there's talk of RCG being selected now that Luai/Cleary arent there.

was it ever confirmed (Blade might have inside info?) - was there bad blood between Penrith players and RCG?

I swear Yeo said last year it was horseshit

Yeo doesnt seem to be the type to have bad blood with someone and he played with reggie a lot more than anyone else, seems possible to me Luai/Cleary dont like Reggie but yeo does. That being said it seems possible to the whole bad blood thing was rubbish to begin with.
 

BxTom

Bench
Messages
2,674
Yeo doesnt seem to be the type to have bad blood with someone and he played with reggie a lot more than anyone else, seems possible to me Luai/Cleary dont like Reggie but yeo does. That being said it seems possible to the whole bad blood thing was rubbish to begin with.

More than likely all BS to try and put Penrith in a bad light.
 

Blade23

Juniors
Messages
1,700
there's talk of RCG being selected now that Luai/Cleary arent there.

was it ever confirmed (Blade might have inside info?) - was there bad blood between Penrith players and RCG?

I swear Yeo said last year it was horseshit

Its rubbish. A few players were a little bit annoyed with RCG's lack of effort in his final season here. But there is no bad blood.
They all got on ok for last year's WC. Just pre game stirring by the press. Origins and Finals time is when all the pre game rubbish comes out to stir things up.

Yeo and RCG are mates.
 
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The Realist

Juniors
Messages
1,880
Picking best over Burton is hilarious Freddy AND Brandy are clowns

The media and fans are in Freddy's head. The general narrative is that there were too many Panthers players and (for whatever reason) they don't work at Origin.

So he is reluctant to select a Panthers associated player if there are other comparable options.

Now in regards to Best, I am doing to go against the grain a little here. He has been a good to excellent centre for about 5 years now. He has been in NSW squads previously if I recall correctly. Even when the Knights are diabolical, he is usually one of the few players who can hold his head up high. He also has a very physical style of footy which some people see as being more suited to Origin. Provided he can hold his nerve - I think he would do well.

One of the criticisms of NSW over several years is that they have 'too many Chiefs, not enough Indians'. So I understand why Freddy might be gun shy about selecting a player who is not a specialist in the position.

Would I select Best over Burton? No. But I understand why someone is Freddy's position might.
 

The Realist

Juniors
Messages
1,880
Its rubbish. A few players were a little bit annoyed with RCG's lack of effort in his final season here. But there is no bad blood.
They all got on ok for last year's WC. Just pre game stirring by the press. Origins and Finals time is when all the pre game rubbish comes out to stir things up.

Yeo and RCG are mates.

I don't believe that's all to the Story. From what I understand - there was some very serious acrimony between RCG and Ivan. You can't tell me that if Nathan has witnessed that, that it would not impact his view and also relationship with RCG.
 
Messages
3,217
I don't believe that's all to the Story. From what I understand - there was some very serious acrimony between RCG and Ivan. You can't tell me that if Nathan has witnessed that, that it would not impact his view and also relationship with RCG.
He would've won two grandfinals by now, and I agree with you 💯%
 

BxTom

Bench
Messages
2,674
I don't believe that's all to the Story. From what I understand - there was some very serious acrimony between RCG and Ivan. You can't tell me that if Nathan has witnessed that, that it would not impact his view and also relationship with RCG.

In the goodbye to Hook and hello again to Ivan days a story appeared on the Panther's website site. It was gone pretty quick - within an hour or two iirc. It quoted RCG saying words to the effect that there's the Panthers opinion, Hook's opinion and then there's the truth. RCG was gone not long after.
 

Kilkenny

Coach
Messages
13,858
I believe RCG had a slightly different personality, not sure what the right term would be. Was close with Yeo and their friendship is well documented but he probably didn’t share the same sort of bond or close friendship with other members of the playing group. No big deal. It was just his personality I think. He has had very good career overall.
 
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Pomoz

Bench
Messages
2,989
Pfft. Burton, Best or the Premier of NSW. It matters not. Tago is better than all of them. I'm glad he missed out. I'm getting quite fed up with people lining up to blame the Panthers and unless he scored a hat trick, made 20 tackle busts and 5 assists, he would just cop abuse. I know he is capable of that, but who needs the anguish? Certainly not Tago.

Yeo makes 46 tackles (no misses) and a 100 plus metres and apparently he doesn't work at SOO level. QLD would pick him every time. They would tell him to focus on running, not distribution. The faster defences in SOO means locks aren't effective at distribution without significant decoys and movement, it is too slow and the defence easily resets.

QLD understand toilers with his engine and mental fortitude are gold in SOO just ask Ruben Cotter. Who is doing his work now? Put him in the middle with Jake T and nothing is getting through the line.

I think we are going to cop a flogging, unless QLD are on the turps during their camp celebrating their series win. Slater must have licked his lips when he saw the NSW bench. Its going to be ugly.......
 

Kilkenny

Coach
Messages
13,858
I think 3-0 to the Maroons is almost a certain bet.

Like many I think the team selection is rather astonishing really.

Ill just be glad when the SOO is over and the NRL competition really begins in earnest.

I think Ivan and the team generally have done an amazing job to put themselves in a position to finish in the top four.

There have been some issues, some close disappointing loses and the inexcusable loss to the Tigers but overall to be sitting where we are with a very strong points differential we aren’t travelling to shabby.
 

BxTom

Bench
Messages
2,674
Pfft. Burton, Best or the Premier of NSW. It matters not. Tago is better than all of them. I'm glad he missed out. I'm getting quite fed up with people lining up to blame the Panthers and unless he scored a hat trick, made 20 tackle busts and 5 assists, he would just cop abuse. I know he is capable of that, but who needs the anguish? Certainly not Tago.

Yeo makes 46 tackles (no misses) and a 100 plus metres and apparently he doesn't work at SOO level. QLD would pick him every time. They would tell him to focus on running, not distribution. The faster defences in SOO means locks aren't effective at distribution without significant decoys and movement, it is too slow and the defence easily resets.

QLD understand toilers with his engine and mental fortitude are gold in SOO just ask Ruben Cotter. Who is doing his work now? Put him in the middle with Jake T and nothing is getting through the line.

I think we are going to cop a flogging, unless QLD are on the turps during their camp celebrating their series win. Slater must have licked his lips when he saw the NSW bench. Its going to be ugly.......

Or celebrating the NSW team selection...
 
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