PRE-GAME [Round 1, 2023] Panthers vs Broncos
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Manofoneway
NRL Player
- May 22, 2022
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This is a good side.
Big Pete
International Captain
- Mar 12, 2008
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When I saw Isaako at 2, my brain automatically assumed Jennings had been picked at 5. It wasn't until I saw the team-list again I noticed Niu was there.
I think it's disastrous to name Isaako & Niu on the wings. My theory is that Bennett saw the side, realised it didn't have enough points in it so he's gone with Niu in the hopes he and the Hammer can combine and create some magic. Ordinarily this would mean he's in the centres but since neither half can defend, he's had to compromise the wing position.
Alternatively he's daring the Roosters to play expansive football hoping they're rusty and make a ton of mistakes trying to spread early.
I will say, I like the Katoa & Doneghue selections.
Great story with Donoghoe- I honestly thought this Capras thing was a sham but Dolphins are really working it.
Mick_Hancock
NRL Player
- Feb 26, 2023
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Good team list. I said it before, no need to risk Walsh in a game we’re “not expected to win”. Trial by fire for Cobbo especially after the grub comments. Hope the whole team rallies and we catch them by surprise. Broncos by 8 
- Sep 6, 2013
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I’m not saying he deserved to be picked but I’m a bit disappointed Piakura didn’t get the nod. Palasia isn’t a second rower, his defense there is awful. I’m not saying Piakura has even done all that better but this season needs to be make or break for him. We need to find out if he has it or not. Palasia isn’t part of our future and is a fringe first grader himself. I’m a bit disappointed.
- Jun 13, 2019
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Unless there is an injury there shouldn't be an edge replacement so it's not the biggest risk, it is round 1 though and Piakura has barely any experience it makes sense to not go too radical early.
- Sep 6, 2013
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Fair points but I wouldn’t necessarily say swapping one fringe first grader for another is all that radical. Plus Riki can switch into middle if needed.
- Jul 28, 2016
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I daresay Panthers are doing it with Kenny starting and Soni off the bench as well.
- Jul 28, 2016
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I'm just hoping they want to get Piakura some reps in the lower grades rather than 10-15mins off the bench... same with Willison.
I thought Piakura looked proactive in his trial time and just hoping he can get some consistent game time this year.
- Aug 25, 2018
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What's the deal with Te Kura? He was in the team photo in the Courier Mail yesterday, but not mentioned in the Squad/Dev list.
- Sep 6, 2013
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Not sure and so I’m quite concerned. He’d have every club after him.
- Jul 28, 2016
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There needs to be a plan with using the 17th player on the bench and usually two middles are sufficient with the 3 starting middles so it's hard to figure out what to do with that 3rd forward on the bench.
I'm hoping we see a plan with ours this year... but I think picking Palasia is a bit of a holding pattern until a more viable option appears ... hopefully in Piakura.
You also can't really rotate 3 middle forwards consistently with the 8 interchanges... like you could with the old 12 interchanges:
- 9/14 use up 2 subs
- 8/10/13 all on and off each (remaining 6 subs total)
At present Haas and Patty are both playing 55-60mins and the team is most effective when they're on the field. So if they're pushing out those kinds of minutes you basically only need a combined 80mins from the bench middles.
Do you reduce Haas and Patty's time on the field at the detriment to team performance to give more time to the bench... that seems counterproductive if Haas and Patty are both maintaining a high performance level in the minutes they're required to play.
So where your 17 fits into the rotation starts to become a question... ***cough***HIA***cough***
Cows last year used to start Luciano off the bench and he would sub on for Gilbert at around 30min to play out the game with Gilbert then switching into the middle rotation. Dfifi probably did that a few times as well... Panthers did it a couple years back with Kikau playing 60 odd mins a game and when they were looking to integrate Liam Martin into the team... so that's an option to use your 17th jersey
It could be something we look at doing with our edges with Piakura subbing on for Riki or Capewell and them moving into the middle.. but there needs to be a benefit to doing that with your edges and Piakura doesn't look to be there yet. It can also impact on defensive structures rotating your edges and timing with the half, etc. in attack
If Piakura starts improving in qcup and getting some consistent game time it might be something we end up doing with our edges to get Piakura into the game.
The other alternative is what we were doing with Gamble a couple times last year and having that smaller mobile lock forward that can ball play (Mann, Watson, etc.) or the nugget quick ptb specialist that is gaining attention in recent years (BSmith, Erin Clarke, etc.)... they can usually double up as another utility for injuries, but I don't know if we have anyone that can perform that role this year.
- Mar 4, 2008
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If needed we could also move Jensen to defend in the backrow, while Palasia defends at prop.
I'd actually be surprised if he remains in the side long term this year, since he's leaving (and not elite). I think we'll start getting some of our younger brigade (like Willison) ready for the rigors of NRL footy.
TBF, you're concerned we'll lose everyone on our books (all of them to the Rorters, no less).
but if you take a breath, and look at things logically, it's not as easy to lure players we want to keep away from us ... the players we lose tend to be those we don't really care if we keep (Isaako, Milford, Niu); or guys who get lured away by an irresistible pay cheque. (Fifita, Herbie, Flegler, Olapau). there's not really much in between the two extremes.
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