Round 9 - Penrith Panthers - Pre Game discussion

[rnabokov]

But he pretty much iced James Roberts V the Titans

Perhaps, but it's interesting that Roberts made 16 runs with 1 try assist, no missed tackles, to Reed's 6 runs no try assists (and 2 missed tackles).

This isn't so much a criticism of Reed, but rather how often a centre gets the ball, or more maybe, how well the strike player in the backline can be used. Glad Hodges is back.

 

[rnabokov]

Because Reed is Reed. We've seen his best, and even though he can be caught out every now and again, he's the definition of solid. There is no point in demoting him, because you can't get blood out of a stone, he's never going to just turn in to a superstar. But even at his worst, he's better than Copley was last week, at least in terms of jeapardising the entire defensive line.

Copley was a liability last week. He let in more tries in one game than Reed has all year. He's too big a risk right now to simply persevere with in the NRL team. Unlike a Steve Michaels though, there is a great ****ing footballer in there, and it's only going to take some subtle things to turn that around. What's better than being able to give him real match situations for him to work with, in his preferred position, with absolutely zero risk to the fortunes of the NRL team? It makes perfect sense to me. Sure it's a step down in terms of quality of opposition, but think of it as playing a really tough video game at an 80% speed setting to prime yourself for the real deal.

I can't agree. For a start, I think this all about keeping Maranta in the team, and making Copley the scapegoat. I agree that Reed is solid, yet I still think he is better winger now than a centre.

As for Copley, he can be a game breaker and while his form has been patchy, the "subtle things" you say that need to turn around are for mine best dealt with good coaching and stern talking and perseverance, rather than dropping a player's confidence, and I reckon Copley is a confidence player atm.

How ever, as I said, I think this all about keeping Maranta in the side, and Reed IS sold and very good at his best and I see Bennett's logic and he is the coach, and he has his strategy of safety first and whatever else.

I just don't agree with some of it.

And on another tangent, I hope Oates gets more than 7 minutes off the bench.

 

[Mr Fourex]

Copley was a liability last week. He let in more tries in one game than Reed has all year.

I know Reed has let in more than one try this year......and that's all Copley was guilty of against the Eels.

In fact one of his tackles led directly to Josh McGuire's try.

If your point was to say he made a couple of positional errors in defence then fair enough. There's no need to embellish it beyond all realms of reality.

 

[Porthoz]

How many more tackles does he make though? This is why stats don't mean shit.

Copley averages 10 and Reed 13 tackles per game.

And you're right, stats on their own mean very little, but can help paint a completer picture.

 

[Super Freak]

GAME DAY!

 

[K-Style]

I know Reed has let in more than one try this year......and that's all Copley was guilty of against the Eels.

In fact one of his tackles led directly to Josh McGuire's try.

If your point was to say he made a couple of positional errors in defence then fair enough. There's no need to embellish it beyond all realms of reality.

It would have been a big missed tackle if the ball didn't come loose. Perhaps that was his intention, perhaps not (ie. ball or nothing).

 

[Rally Towel]

Sounds like Soward and Moylan are both in. Not too worried to be honest.

Must say, I'm keen to see how our backline looks on the attack. Rustiness aside, Boyd and Kahu should really give us some extra punch. Give us a few weeks, a bit of luck, and Copley tuned up in ISC, we could be deadly.

 

[I bleed Maroon]

I'm not expecting miracles from Boyd, just a decent, stable performance at the back with as much effort in making metres of the kick receive as possible then just surrender in the tackle.

 

[Marty Deutschmann]

Because Reed is Reed. We've seen his best, and even though he can be caught out every now and again, he's the definition of solid. There is no point in demoting him, because you can't get blood out of a stone, he's never going to just turn in to a superstar. But even at his worst, he's better than Copley was last week, at least in terms of jeapardising the entire defensive line.

Copley was a liability last week. He let in more tries in one game than Reed has all year. He's too big a risk right now to simply persevere with in the NRL team. Unlike a Steve Michaels though, there is a great fucking footballer in there, and it's only going to take some subtle things to turn that around. What's better than being able to give him real match situations for him to work with, in his preferred position, with absolutely zero risk to the fortunes of the NRL team? It makes perfect sense to me. Sure it's a step down in terms of quality of opposition, but think of it as playing a really tough video game at an 80% speed setting to prime yourself for the real deal.

Thank you so much for talking sense. This is grounded and mature thinking. Couldn't have differed in opinion at all

 

[Marty Deutschmann]

Our scramble is going to have to be in song tonight. Panthers like to refuse and take second phase as their game plan a bit

 

[Unbreakable]

I had a dream last night that Darius scored our first try, slicing through the defense on the left hand side of the field, pls come true.

 

[Morkel]

Thank you so much for talking sense. This is grounded and mature thinking. Couldn't have differed in opinion at all

Thank you for talking in a way that I have no idea if you're being sarcastic or not :)

 

[Mr Fourex]

Psst ....sarcastic.

 

[Marty Deutschmann]

I had a dream last night that Darius scored our first try, slicing through the defense on the left hand side of the field, pls come true.

Nooo please don't be! I've got maranta, hodges and macca as first try scorers :P

I saw a clip of then training on Wednesday and saw them practicing an outside inside play using macca and it looked sharp.. figured, why not haha. But since boyd is a great sweeper, i figure Hodges or maranta will benefit from the service

 

[Marty Deutschmann]

Thank you for talking in a way that I have no idea if you're being sarcastic or not :)

Hahaha not sarcasm at all. I agree with the decision to drop copley and have been on anf off the reed bus this year but this is the first time i am actually off the Copley one. . I think it's beneficial for him to take some time in q cup to learn to carve up again and hold his shit together in D.

Also. . On the sarcasm thing, i think it's rare on here people ever voice whether or not they agree with one another and are more likely to post if they have a differing opinion. I welcome a positive wind of change on here.. often its far too negative

 

[Morkel]

Hahaha not sarcasm at all. I agree with the decision to drop copley and have been on anf off the reed bus this year but this is the first time i am actually off the Copley one. . I think it's beneficial for him to take some time in q cup to learn to carve up again and hold his shit together in D.

Also. . On the sarcasm thing, i think it's rare on here people ever voice whether or not they agree with one another and are more likely to post if they have a differing opinion. I welcome a positive wind of change on here.. often its far too negative

Well I genuinely thank you.

 

[Astro]

Thank you for talking in a way that I have no idea if you're being sarcastic or not :)

It's the Internet. If it's not sarcastic, then you're doing it wrong.

 

[Porthoz]

It's the Internet. If it's not sarcastic, then you're doing it wrong.

In that case, I have to apologise to [MENTION=7802]broncos4life[/MENTION]. He's doing it right!