Round 15 V Panthers.

[NorfolkStreetKid]

5 weeks til we take on the Panthers behemoth. Right in the middle between Origins 1 and 2, so everyone available. Hopefully we will put a team like this up against them. Teddy, Suuali, Manu, Morris, Toops, Lam , Walker, Rads, Boyd, Angus, JWH ,Verrills, TKO... Sitili, Baker, Liu, Butcher. Thats the team I would go with. Other options, Keighran, IKU, Hutch, Fafita. They are looking awesome at the moment, a lot of big wins, best defence in the league by far, but they only beat Melbourne by 2. Would be awesome to bring them back down to earth.

[milanja]

Other than reputation and hype, does suaali deserve a starting spot over ikuvalu against the red hot panthers?

I know we all want to see him, so hopefully he gets some game time soon enough.

[Easts75]

Other than reputation and hype, does suaali deserve a starting spot over ikuvalu against the red hot panthers?

I know we all want to see him, so hopefully he gets some game time soon enough.

If Iku stays healthy I think he holds his spot for the rest of the season

[ism22]

For better or for worse, we get to play the Drizz, Riff, Souffs and Parra again.

All 4 have beaten us. However, I like the challenge because it means that our destiny is in our hands. Feels a bit like a tennis grand slam... if you come up against the #1 seed in round 1 then you can either see it as though it's an impossible task, or know that you'll take their relatively easy path to the GF if you win.

I wouldn't keep watching the footy if I didn't believe we've got the goods. A large percentage of our players are still rep-grade and those who aren't are either club favourites (e.g. Rads) or yet to debut (e.g. Walker & Suaalii). Our best possible team is something like:
1. Teddy (world's best player - NSW captain and Kangaroo)
2. Toops (incumbent NSW + Tongan international)
3. J-Moz (a highly rated rep-grade centre... ex-Kangaroo)
4. Manu (NZ international who has grown his game significantly... somebody will offer him $1m to play FB one day)
5. Suaalii (set for softy heights)
6. Lam (son of an absolute legend)
7. Walker (plays like a QLD rep HB and will break a looot of Easts fans' hearts when he gets the call-up)
8. SST (Tongan international front rower, comparable to Taumalolo on his day)
9. Verrills (meh... gets the job done)
10. JWH (NZ international front rower)
11. Cords (Australian captain)
12. Crichton (NSW rep who's in form)
13. Rads (a club favourite, hard-hitting + ball playing forward who has been described as both 'the inflictor' and 'an extra halfback')
--
14. Keighran (solid utility)
15. Sitili (Tongan international)
16. Liu (NZ international)
17. Butch (solid product of Easts' systems)

Love or loathe the new rules... all you need is (for example) Cleary or Munster to be sent off and it's game on. Just gotta keep up that attitude and lift for Cords when he returns coz TBH, they've implemented these rules to protect guys like him, Teddy and Friend from career-ending head knocks (too late in Friend's case). I'm gonna have to learn to love the rules I reckon.

[Batemans Bay Rooster]

If Iku stays healthy I think he holds his spot for the rest of the season

Agree. He looks better every top grade game he plays. Almost wish they'd send Suaali back to the Bears instead of having him 18th man every week so he can get some game time.

[ism22]

Other than reputation and hype, does suaali deserve a starting spot over ikuvalu against the red hot panthers?

I know we all want to see him, so hopefully he gets some game time soon enough.

Fair point. Iku's playing great and I mean him no disrespect...

That said, we've signed Suaalii for a reason and I think it's be a massive disappointment if he turned out to be shyte. He's significantly taller and more physical than Ikuvalu. A bit like RTS/Latrell... I doubt he'll fail.

[The Skeez]

No one will be watching by round 15.

[The Skeez]

5 weeks til we take on the Panthers behemoth. Right in the middle between Origins 1 and 2, so everyone available.

Shit timing for such a blockbuster game.
Same with the round 16 Storm game on a Thursday following a Sunday night Origin 2.

[theGman]

Other than reputation and hype, does suaali deserve a starting spot over ikuvalu against the red hot panthers?

I know we all want to see him, so hopefully he gets some game time soon enough.

Give him a go....let's see what he's got to offer.
His height and athleticism alone would nab us tries from Lam and Sam's cross field kicks.

[Nicola Tesla]

I’m looking for the panthers to lose soon so they don’t break our record of straight wins in a season.
I think it’s 17... can someone confirm this?

[Hawkeye]

Give him a go....let's see what he's got to offer.
His height and athleticism alone would nab us tries from Lam and Sam's cross field kicks.

Lam & Sam has a nice poetic ring to it doesn't it !
Rekindles some past poetic teammates like Wing & Sing, Mayes & Hayes ....

[Vasco]

I’m looking for the panthers to lose soon so they don’t break our record of straight wins in a season.
I think it’s 17... can someone confirm this?

Yes that is correct.

I won't be happy if roid munching Cleary and his team break our record.

[Spirit of 66]

Yes that is correct.

I won't be happy if roid munching Cleary and his team break our record.

He has certainly transformed his body over the last couple of years. Can't remember seeing a halfback quite that chunky.

[Headless Chook]

Yes that is correct.

I won't be happy if roid munching Cleary and his team break our record.

It's actually incorrect. It's 19 straight wins from the 1975 team

[zac]

the panthers game's a few weeks away and there's a bit to happen before then but it's one to look forward to. it's at penrith so they'll be hard to beat but if we can run out with our best side we'll have a chance to make a statement