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Telstra Premiership | Full Time
Gold Coast Titans
30
Tries Tyrone Roberts, Anthony Don, Michael Gordon, Jarrod Wallace, Bryce Cartwright Goals Michael Gordon (5/5)
Penrith Panthers
24
Tries James Maloney, Viliame Kikau, James Fisher-Harris, Josh Mansour Goals Nathan Cleary (4/4)
Canterbury Cup NSW | Full Time
Western Suburbs Magpies
32
Tries Kauri Aupouri-Puketapu (2), Sam McIntyre, Kane Bradley, Tyson Gamble, Dylan Smith Goals Paul Momirovski (4/6)
Penrith Panthers
12
Tries Caleb Aekins, Brian Too, Ratu Tuisese Goals Jed Cartwright (0/3)
Jersey Flegg | Full Time
Penrith Panthers
72
Tries Charlie Staines (3), Brendan Hands (2), Stephen Crichton, Matt Burton, Terrell May, Adam Fearnley, Daine Laurie, Jack Quinn, Thomas Lofts, Jâmaine Hopgood Goals Brendan Hands (9/12), Matt Burton (1/1)
this is a game with more interest than it should have considering pre season Panthers were title contenders and Titans would have been bottom 4 but here it is Round 5 and Panthers are 2 from 4 and Titans 0 from 4.
To say here are 2 teams struggling for from would be an understatement and despite hitting the panic button both coaches have stood by their sides albeit with 1 single change for us of DWZ to FB and Edwards to wing.
If the real Panthers turn up we should win and win easily but if they play as they have in recent weeks it will be a coin toss and if the Titans winâŠwell there will need to be changes to our squad and Cleary will have to rethink what he is doing as coach.If Titans get lapped Brennan may be looking for a new club
For these reasons a lot hangs on this game.
Sadly for Garth Brennan, I donât think even winning this game will help his future of the Titans, as I have a feeling that a decision had been made weeks ago, and these weeks following are a mere formality as they find another coach.
On to the game, I found it interesting they have selected the only active NRL referee with the highest success rate for Penrith⊠could this have something about some dud calls last week? (Like the Kikau try and the Edwards knock-on)⊠Maybe I am reading too much into that.
Looking at the team, Ivan seems to think that the team must be on the improve, as for except for a positional changes and a replacement for Winterstein the side is the same is virtually the same, I was a bit disappointed about TIm Grant not getting a starting spot, he has been crushing it in the lower grades. Also am I the only on thinking that the halves should be switch back to the other side of the field (ala 2018)?
I am also happy with the DWZ/Edwards switch. I love Edwards speed, but I like how DWZ returns the ball after a kick, I feel that Edwards will grow into a wingers spot an feel that he will be the better for it in the long run. I didnât like the call for some fans to drop him, it is clear as day the kid has talent, he just hit a slump, the players and coach were supporting him and saying he should be in the squad. I would like to see how many of those âFacebook Coachesâ have not hit a career slump before, and I bet they gave them more than a week to âright the shipâ so to speak.
A win is vital here, despite a terrible start to the season, to be 3/5 going into round 6 really places the team in a good position (assuming their form improves). I feel that one good comprehensive win can go a long way to kickstarting the Panthers season. I hope this is that win.
We seem to be suffering âperfect stormâ conditions. The dramas on Griffinâs departure, IC coming in, videogate, âno-jobâ Gould, our top players seemingly almost all being terribly out of form, failure to address what were clearly our two weaknesses ie D/H and one centre, & our continued run of not getting the best of the officiating, has resulted in some terrible football being played, with two close wins, a close loss, and a heavy defeat.
I am hopeful of improvement over the coming weeks, starting with our game against a struggling opponent this week. If we can snag a win, & sit 3 from 5 it will look ok. Fingers crossed.
Not sure what others think but I wonder about the Tim Grant thing, he was one of the first flicked with the last Cleary stint, he left the Tigers the year after he was made coach and the poor bloke has him as coach again, is TG resigned to playing Reggieâs whilst at Penrith and Cleary in charge?
Also, I would be playing Liam Martin before Sele, I donât like the Sele performances thus far.
Anyway that is my 2 bobs, if we have the same lack lustre effort this week and heaven forbid lose and he picks the same 17 I will start calling him Royce, those John Cross days still have me scarred
You donât need to go back to Roycie - what about Elliott kept picking CC (canât even write his name, as I am sure I swore on here once I would never mention his name again) I still have nightmares - what about the day he tried the chip-kick
Why is it so hard for coaches to drop players out of form to allow them to get their confidence back in lower grades?
Look at Reynolds for the Tigers, he killed it in Reggieâs and played a pretty good game first game back in the top grade, if he keeps his form Benji will be the Reggie. Gotta make the tough calls as coach, not play favourites!
i think for coaches its about one thingâŠâthe teamâ
sure we may say a player should be dropped but the coach has a broader view about how the team sticks tight in adversityâŠyadda yadda yada
and as a result the team responds by more often then not punching through as a group and when a win comes the errors from some seem less important
personally i wouldnât have dropped anyone and as i suggested moving DWZ to FB and Edwards to wing is what Cleary did.
I also suggested Cleary and Maloney should rotate back to their sides of last year and believe this may help settle the team both offensively and defensively
perhaps that may happen mid game v Titans if we are behind at half time
SBF I understand what your saying and agree to a point, However, the âteamâ is a 25 man roster as part of the salary cap, any 1 of those 25 are either capable or have the potential to perform in the top grade. If you maintain the status quo with poor performances, you are sending a glaring message to the 18-25 playing group.
I donât want to lose the likes of Luai or Martin (he looks the goods) but if they cannot get an opportunity when it SHOULD be available due to poor form, then 15 other clubs will start sniffing around, that in itself will breed complacency.
Iâm definitely not saying drop someone after 1 bad game, but Edwards first 4 performances have been average at bestâŠand he is not alone!!!
OK Luai in to 17 for Egan, so maybe a change in strategy??
Just about to start my pre-game, leaving work in about 5 mins, heading home to put on my game shirt & to take my seat in front of TV. Iâm sure there will be a beer for me
If we donât start with an attitude of âthe world is against usâ vs the titans we will get towelled up. This should be a game of personal passion given the players and coach, if this situation doesnât excite us, not a lot will.
Letâs hope itâs a team effort not a personal âlook at meâ contest
if Kelly wasnât in front of the kicker and within 10 metres of the ball coming down i will give the game away.
Looks like we are playing 14 tonightâŠthe players plus the video ref
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Partly Cloudy 21°C (20% Chance of Rain 
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NRL Live Pass [LIVE]
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ABC Sydney 702AM [LIVE]
Friday 12/4 6:00pm
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