I wouldn’t be upset if he rested Cleary, Cogger, Edwards, Yeo and a 2nd row/prop to help ensure they are all fit and firing for Rd1 of finals.
I also wouldn’t be upset if he played a full-strength team (bar injury) to get some gametime into the combinations, especially Cogger / Cleary.
If we were going for combinations though, I think I’d prefer to see Salmon at #9 if we continue to use Soni as #14. I thought Sommerton had some real good touches and showed potential in his first game, but has some areas to work on, particularly in defence. Might be fine in round 10, but not the finals.
It’s an interesting set of circumstances. By the time we take the field we will know the result of the Warriors game, and what will happen to us in every eventuality. Ivan will possibly even have time to adjust the team list if the Warriors game is a blowout in either direction.
The question becomes do we want to go all in for the minor premiership, or do we want to play a certain opponent next week.
The equation is fairly simple. If us & Warriors both win or lose this week, we play the Storm. If one of us wins & the other loses, we play each other.
Personally I think we are going to have to beat Broncos, Storm & Warriors to take out the premiership. That being said, I’d rather Melbourne at home next week over the Warriors.
I agree with rather face the storm than the warriors. With the form Johnson has been in, I think they are up there with the team that could trouble us the most, not neglecting the form of Reynolds and the Broncos.
whoever we play is immaterial really in Game 1 of the finals.
we simply have to win Game 1 to get the week off which gives Luai another week and gives the boys a chance to have a much needed rest.
trying or hoping to figure out who we play is full of danger and risk to the players thought process.
players have to focus on winning one game at a time and not focus on who we may or may not play
we simply need to sharpen our focus as a team and get back to our processes, because what i have seen in recent weeks from the squad has not been too encouraging.
I want to see the real Panthers stand up this week and follow it up by a higher effort in Game 1.
Lastly i have real concerns about Kenny and why he is not playing…i honestly believe we can cover for Luai but we don’t have anyone who can cover for Kenny in these big games coming.
Hope i am wrong and he is all OK…we need him badly
Lack of updates on Sorro and Kenny are worrying. Might just be to keep it under wraps, but this game doesn’t even have Soni in. I can only assume we are using Peach as #9 cover.
Playing a full strength team (exc injuries) suggests to me it’s building combinations for the finals and worrying that it’s Sommerton at 9.
Confused about Salmon. Seems like he’s been dropped ever since signing elsewhere, with Peach taking preference as utility.
I hope I’ve misread the situation.
Positively, Tago is back and I hope he is fully fit, or at least not risking reinjury. That should strengthen the back line immensely.
surprising to see Luke completely gone from even the bench.
not that i am disappointed in that as my views on him are known.
On Salmon doubt Cleary has moved him on so to speak as it has been shown with Lenui and Crichton, he will still use an exiting player although to be fair he is a utility player although i personally would have considered him for the 6 role while Luai recovers, Coggers defence really is a concern
This was the response I was hoping to see after last week. If we score next & early, I have the feeling the Cowboys will fall in a heap, and we could get a cricket score.
Jack Cogger looked impressive tonight. Despite the concerns of many that his style would clash with that of Nathan Cleary his gameplay tonight complimented it nicely.
He even managed to get 3 try assists tonight.
I feel much more confident with him going in at #6 next week after seeing his performance tonight.
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Match
Venue
Time
Tickets
Weather
Partly Cloudy 15°C (
Chance of Rain: 3% / 
Wind: E 6km/h)
Broadcast
NRL Live Pass [LIVE]
Kayo Sports [LIVE]
ABC Sydney 702AM [LIVE]
Saturday 2/9 5:30pm
Positional Change | 
Out due to injury | 
Team lists and match officials have been announced.
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