Trent Merrin on Anthony Griffin

[franklin2323]

"To be eligible for the rookie of the year award, a player must have played more than three games — and not more than one season after making his NRL debut."

So Cleary was a rookie until half way through 2017 according to the NRL standard and also the dictionary if 1 season is the benchmark. Not arguing against anyone just helping clarify things.

Spot on. Still he is the youngest FG half. Taylor is the next.

There is a reason guys like Hunt, Pearce got a $1m + deals when cheaper options were out there

 

[OldPanther]

Spot on. Still he is the youngest FG half. Taylor is the next.

There is a reason guys like Hunt, Pearce got a $1m + deals when cheaper options were out there

Pretty much. I'm still of the opinion the Dragons were desperate and signed Hunt to overs.

 

[franklin2323]

Pretty much. I'm still of the opinion the Dragons were desperate and signed Hunt to overs.

Me too. Jai Field looks the goods but they don't want youth. Both rookies was a mistake I think anyone would now realise that. Thankfully we fixed it quickly

 

[Pomoz]

Me too. Jai Field looks the goods but they don't want youth. Both rookies was a mistake I think anyone would now realise that. Thankfully we fixed it quickly

We made that mistake, the Tigers made that mistake. On paper having to young superstar juniors as the halves looks a great idea. In the pressure cooker of first grade, the lack of experience finds you out.

On the plus side, Nathan is now in his third season and has played 41 first grade games. He is almost a 'first grader' by the generally accepted definition and another offseason has got to help his body to be even stronger and tougher.

The physical conditioning is underestimated because young players often look and are massive. But you see how they start to run out of steam after four or five games in first grade and then the mistakes happen as fatigue slows the brain down. If they are left in too long, they often get injuries. Their bodies need time to adjust to the physical strain.

I'm sure that has been the problem with Kikau. As a forward he was getting smashed and it is harder physically for him than the young backs. Mistakes crept into his game and Hook spelled him back in NSW cup to build his confidence up and let him recover. He went OK in the World Cup because he had the benefit of an easier time in NSW cup leading up to it and the standard was not as high as the NRL in most of the games.

 

[TheFrog]

Puff piece on Nine News basically saying how the side's training is being individually tailored, as if that wasn't the case before. Merrin doing the gab work, which suggests to me that he might be about to be appointed captain.

 

[OldPanther]

Puff piece on Nine News basically saying how the side's training is being individually tailored, as if that wasn't the case before. Merrin doing the gab work, which suggests to me that he might be about to be appointed captain.

I wouldn't have a problem with him, I like him as a player. As long as whoever they pick stands up on the field and represents the club well I say congrats on getting the job.

 

[Luke Bowden]

Mez looks pretty fit. He’s obviously been working hard.

 

[OldPanther]

Mez looks pretty fit. He’s obviously been working hard.

Saw him yesterday and he definitely looks lean and ready to go. Griffin seems to be good at getting them physically ready.

 

[billypilgrimnz]

Saw him yesterday and he definitely looks lean and ready to go. Griffin seems to be good at getting them physically ready.

Next minute: Dragons 42 Panthers 10

He needs results.

 

[OldPanther]

Next minute: Dragons 42 Panthers 10

He needs results.

Haha true.

 

[hindy111]

Which bit of Ivan having to rebuild our team don't you understand? Griffin came in to a team Ivan had built.

Neither of those success rates are correct either. Winning a grand final is the ultimate goal and neither ccoach has done that. Ivan Cleary took us closer though and he had us competing with and beating top 4 teams.

Our win over Roosters in 2014 was epic. Whares try and Sowards field goal with minutes to go. Absolutely crazy... against the minor premiers mind you. We were rated as no chance

He took us to week 3 of finals missing half a dozen players and having Will Smith at half.

Will Smith was Eels best against storm in semi

 

[hindy111]

Penrith where faves on the back of Moylan and Cartwrights form in 2016. With the expectation of both taking a leap forward. Both touted as origin players.
Add Merrins hugely dissapointing season and its easy to see why the Panthers didnt fire.
Come finals Moylan,Latu,Blake,May where unavailable. Edwards was on one leg.

 

[mxlegend99]

Saw him yesterday and he definitely looks lean and ready to go. Griffin seems to be good at getting them physically ready.

Hes single again. Cant let himself go.

I hope we're looking at him playing prop. But if he's getting lean I doubt he moves from 13.

 

[billypilgrimnz]

I can see Cartwright leaving by the end of next year

 

[OldPanther]

Hes single again. Cant let himself go.

I hope we're looking at him playing prop. But if he's getting lean I doubt he moves from 13.

I hope so too. Just visually he looked a bit lighter than earlier in the year. Not sure of his actual weight.

I guess the problem is you see the props and they look like monsters compared to him. They looked like they'd eat him whole for the protein.

 

[mxlegend99]

I can see Cartwright leaving by the end of next year

I really hope not. We need blokes who can create something when there's nothing on.

If we have no game plans and freaks who can come up with miracle plays the points will dry up.

 

[TheEroticGamer]

Merrin was most likely in line for prop.

Then May got injured.

 

[mxlegend99]

I dont see how an injury to a utility who was likely to miss our top 17 anyway has any effect on Mez playing prop or lock.

If Peach or May ends up utility... theres really not much difference to what role we want from Merrin.

Letting Latu go made it more important for Mez in the front row. Left us with only 2 above average front rowers

 

[OldPanther]

I will say that QLD and Brisbane have used smaller, mobile front rowers who have an offload to massive effect and Carty needs to be given a long term position which I believe should be lock. I see no real reason not to especially since:

Letting Latu go made it more important for Mez in the front row. Left us with only 2 above average front rowers

 

[martielang]

Now Tamou is settled, I think he'll play a big part for us. I think people underestimate he impact changing clubs / environments etc. & having to deal with the expectation of being a marquee signing, has on a player.

Remarkable how quickly people are willing to write him off.