The run home

[PenrithPanther45]

Don't know if it's ever happened since the introduction of Under 20's but a good effort with all grades through to the finals with Penrith coming back from 24-12 down at the break to defeat NZ 36-24 in the NSW Cup. Will play them again next week in the 1st week.

 

[Abacus]

Round 26 will be interesting. We'll know Friday night whether 6th (and even 5th) is achievable. If not, opportunity to rest a few with niggles and protect a few for the finals.

 

[Blues Riff]

It's a bit like a trial game for the Finals. Zac to fullback. Moyza to 5/8. TMM to bench. What's big Sam doing? He had some good runs mid-year.
Edit- I forgot about Bryce. Lets simplify his role.

 

[TheFrog]

It's a bit like a trial game for the Finals. Zac to fullback. Moyza to 5/8. TMM to bench. What's big Sam doing? He had some good runs mid-year.

The trouble with resting players is that we'd have to bring players up from the NSW Cup side, which would probably mean sacrificing any chance they might have in an elimination final. It would also mean weakening the Under 20's but they've got the MP wrapped up and are playing the easybeats so no dramas there.

I'd suggest a full strength hitout for the finals with the pressure off would be the way to go. It's really unlikely we can get 5th, and nothing to be gained from getting 6th.

On another issue, the loser of Swans-GWS next week will play a home final on the same weekend as our first finals match. We might get shovelled in to Allianz after all.

 

[pandas]

If we finish 6th don't we host the 7th placed team?

 

[TheFrog]

We host the 7th placed team at either ANZ or Allianz (as determined by the NRL). Finals are not played at "suburban" grounds any more.

 

[PenrithPanther45]

It's a bit like a trial game for the Finals. Zac to fullback. Moyza to 5/8. TMM to bench. What's big Sam doing? He had some good runs mid-year.
Edit- I forgot about Bryce. Lets simplify his role.

If you're referring to Sammy McKendry he tore his ACL against the Tigers back in Round 17. As much as you'd like to experiment I don't see any reason why we should disrupt what has been great continuity in the side. Carty hasn't been awful in the halves either, he's set up 9 tries this year according to NRL.com and just researching 7 of these have come whilst playing 5/8th. In 12 games this year Soward only managed 4 try assists but Moylan certainly does have the skills to do it, just only think DWZ or Edwards are the only options at the back. A good source of interest over the off-season to watch for.

 

[umina panther]

Hiku's best position is fullback too

 

[PenrithPanther45]

Hiku's best position is fullback too

yeah true. he seems really fat and slow though

 

[maple_69]

No time to mess with the mojo. We have got our shit together very late and still have problems that need ironing out. A proper hit out may help. I think we need to risk the injuries at this point.

We have a decent opportunity given the ladder to get a few games deep. Go in 5 on the trot, against a lackluster dogs side, then potentially a fading Sharks side under pressure.

 

[MrBlack]

Well done Griffin.

He has had his doubters on this forum but half way through the year he guts the spine, promotes a rookie half from the under 20's, loses not one but 2 international class centres, manufactures a centre, and tightens what was a very sloppy defensive line.

Now we are finals bound with a game in hand.

 

[herbert henry1908]

Roy Masters reporting our final vs Bulldogs (if it's against the dogs) will be at Allianz and not ANZ due to scheduling with the AFL.

NRL let AFL have Saturday at ANZ not thinking it would be dogs vs panthers , huge stuff up. Particularly for the panthers fans.

 

[umina panther]

Much better venue. Im stoked if thats true

 

[Frankus]

If we could have turned 2 close home games where we were leading or level in the last 10 mins and went on to lose into wins this year, we would be top 4.

Dogs round 2, Cows round 6, Titans round 11 all come to mind.

If we make it past week 1 against the dogs (big IF considering our finals record v the dogs), I can't see us or them beating the top 4 side that plays in week 2. Although stranger things have happened.

 

[betcats]

Much better venue. Im stoked if thats true

Yeah id rather go there to watch it, like you i'm not coming from Penrith tho.

 

[PenrithPanther45]

If we could have turned 2 close home games where we were leading or level in the last 10 mins and went on to lose into wins this year, we would be top 4.

Dogs round 2, Cows round 6, Titans round 11 all come to mind.

If we make it past week 1 against the dogs (big IF considering our finals record v the dogs), I can't see us or them beating the top 4 side that plays in week 2. Although stranger things have happened.

I can see us beating Cronulla but that's it. And in terms of losing the Dogs, Cows and Tits games late I like to think of it this way: we got lucky in the last minutes against canberra, parramatta on the buzzer, broncos 23-22 similar to cowboys but we won, we finish where we deserve to

 

[TheFrog]

Roy Masters reporting our final vs Bulldogs (if it's against the dogs) will be at Allianz and not ANZ due to scheduling with the AFL.

It'll cost them 10,000 crowd I reckon. The ground itself is fine, and it's a genuine neutral venue but it's a bit of a bugger to get to.

 

[PenrithPanther45]

It'll cost them 10,000 crowd I reckon. The ground itself is fine, and it's a genuine neutral venue but it's a bit of a bugger to get to.

at least its only a good 15-20 minute walk there but yeah it might turn people off

 

[Frankus]

Yeah id rather go there to watch it, like you i'm not coming from Penrith tho.

Yeah I much prefer the SFS for atmosphere, location and ease to get there.

It would deter those commuting from Penrith though.

 

[Kilkenny]

I much prefer Allianz, much better stadium to watch footy. I'll be there with bells on.