If you haven't had chance to see it yet, make sure you watch Stephen Crichton's try for the Panthers today, absolutely unreal!!
If you haven't had chance to see it yet, make sure you watch Stephen Crichton's try for the Panthers today, absolutely unreal!!
Some people raised that they'd lost a few players after I and a few others tipped them for the Minor Premiership again before the seaon, but I think they've built up such a good structure there that players buy into it and they don't lose a step if some arrive and some leave. Penrith are becoming the gold standard in the NRL and they have everything in place. They have the team, the coaches, the leadership at the club, the distinct home advantage of playing in their own ground and all they need is a Grand Final win to top off it, because I think it could lead to a few.
It was a great try! The role Matt Burton played in it...remember he's a half playing in the centres and I've commented about how Saints could use Welsby to do similar for Saints from there, if not seen as a first choice pivot at the moment or 2022.
Panthers are just so consistent. They've got the best half back in the competition in Cleary and then lots of quality around him. They don't look like losing a game, though the origin series coming up will really test them, because a lot of the side has been called up- I've just seen the NSW squad announced - https://www.nrl.com/news/2021/05/30/...origin-i-team/
I can only see a two-horse race at the moment for the minor premiership and a likely repeat of last season's GF.
Last edited by Mike Stephenson; 30th May 2021 at 16:59.
*Not to be confused with Mike Stephenson, MBE
Game I of Origin confirmed for Townsville because of the COVID outbreak in Melbourne. Should be a great spectacle at a smaller club ground but obviously some NSW figures are complaining that QLD now hosts Games I and II which gives them an advantage.
NSW team looks good regardless.
James Tedesco
Brian To'o
Latrell Mitchell
Tom Trbojevic
Josh Addo-Carr
Jarome Luai
Nathan Cleary
Daniel Saifiti
Damien Cook
Jake Trbojevic
Cameron Murray
Tariq Sims
Isaah Yeo
Subs
Jack Wighton
Junior Paulo
Payne Haas
Liam Martin
Back ups
Api Koroisau
Campbell Graham
Panthers are my aussie team since I saw them at KR (i think) in the 90's Ryan Girdler took us apart with Craig Gower iirc a high scoring game great entertainment.
Learned comment from The Don
QLD team in here- https://www.nrl.com/news/2021/05/31/...origin-i-team/
Two very strong teams despite the absenties and should be a great series. It's difficult to call, but I'm backing NSW.
*Not to be confused with Mike Stephenson, MBE
Yeah I remember that game. It was during the super league war in OZ when half the clubs split 97/98 I think? That would’ve been one of the world club challenge games when all the English sides played the Australian teams that had formed the new super league comp over there. If I remember correctly we played Penrith, Auckland Warriors and Cronulla (Sean Longs debut game for Saints). I think the English teams only won a handful of games and most were blow outs in favour of the Aussies. We somehow made the semi’s with out winning a game and then got hammered by Brisbane.
Ponga is out I believe
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Team lists together (as they stand) here https://www.nrl.com/draw/state-of-or...lues/teamlist/
NSW look stronger across the board IMO, but QLD have the first two at home, and I think Townsville will be a bigger home advantage than Suncorp to be honest, so it's set up nicely.
Big test for Penrith today, 7 players out for Origin
Penrith looked ordinary today with all the absenties, think it was 8 in total with the suspension to the prop as well.
A chance for the Storm tomorrow, to make up some ground on them on the ladder and I think they'll beat Gold Coast. Both teams missing several of their key players. Melbourne will still be too strong I think.
*Not to be confused with Mike Stephenson, MBE
This Gold Coast defence is dreadful. No excuse for conceding 7 tries in 25 minutes so far in the 2nd half. On another note, Trbojevic is just on a different level, unbelievable player!
Forwards win games. The backs decide by how much.
I've just watched that game... 0-48 in the second half and could have been worse if Garrick had his kicking boots on.
As good as Tedesco is, I think there's an argument to say that turbo Tom is the best full back in the sport at the moment. Especially in terms of what he brings in attack. Hopefully Papenhuyzen can get back on the field soon as well, because he started the season really strongly too.
*Not to be confused with Mike Stephenson, MBE
Forwards win games. The backs decide by how much.
*Not to be confused with Mike Stephenson, MBE
Forwards win games. The backs decide by how much.