Ricky didn’t miss anyone in his presser – completely called out the whole team for a horrible performance. Gave no recognition to anyone apart from the opposition.

Hudson Young needs to lift big time – he’s been bog average for a while now. He’s lucky the Raiders have no second row depth. And Big Red Horsburgh looks underdone. I think Ricky made a blue by not picking Trey Mooney who has been killing it in NSW Cup. Don’t think he could have done much more to get a game in the firsts. Bit of a selection issue coming up if Hosking has to sit out next week and Whitehead is still injured.

Back in the days of John Cartright the Titans were a much grittier unit and seemed to find ways to win when the chips were down. They were a top 4 team in 2009 and 2010 with players such as Luke Bailey, Scott Prince, Matt Rogers, Anthony Laffranchi and Preston Campbell. Hard to believe when you look at them now.

I think the Titans might have been putting the cart before the horse for years Mike and Dessie is trying to get them to do things properly – but its not working as yet.

In the past they have been all out attack with no emphasis on defensive structures so when things start to fall apart they have no foundation to fall back on. He has a huge job on his hands.

To me Cleary and Bellamy are on the top branch of the coaching tree. Bellamy has the luxury of a great spine and Cleary has his son, Luai and Edwards who are up there as well. But its the consistent performances of these two that sets them above the rest. They have an established game plan that works. In the case of the Panthers it is relentless defence and suffocation of the opposition. And enough in attack to score points guided by the brilliance of Cleary. When they lose players others come in and buy in to the plate – and their established stars (e.g. Luai, Yeo and Edwards) step up with even greater intensity. They aren’t superstars e.g Schneider – but they do the job asked of them.

I’d argue the Storm was a bit like this when they were masters of the wrestle. And when they had the big 3 or 4 – Smith, Slater, Cronk. Inglis etc. The Panthers and the Storm in general make very few mistakes which makes it difficult for the opposition to get into the contest. When teams played the Storm you just knew they wouldn’t hand you opportunities – same with this Panthers side. I don’t have the Storm up at the same level as the Panthers over the past 4 or 5 year but you have to admire their consistency.

Luai, Edwards and Yeo were all huge last night in the absence of Cleary and JWH. Coach Cleary would have asked for an extra effort from these 3 and he got it.

Teddy was guilty of ball hogging last night as well. When the Roosters are under the pump defensively their two attacking guns think they have to do it all themselves. Sometimes they get away with it against lesser teams but the Panthers defence was far too good. Felt sorry for the wingers – Young in particular. Every time he got the ball he had 3 or 4 defenders monstering him and he ended up being ineffective. In fact he makes very few metres in these situations unlike some other bullocking backs.

When Teddy and Manu are attracting defenders the way they charge into the defence they should be looking to pass to unmarked team mates. But they don’t seem to think that way.

Ivan Cleary has to be the best coach of the past 5 years. Might seem like stating the bleedin obvious – but it can’t all be just the seemingly endless Penrith nursery and some astute recruiting. Put some of these players in other teams and they look pretty average – but in the Panthers system they look top class. They know their role and they play it convincingly.
Cleary manages to get the team to play at such high intensity week in week out. There is no drop off. Contrast this with the Roosters who seem to believe all the hype about them and put in some shocking efforts. And the following week they fire up in response to the criticism. Far too inconsistent. And Robbo needs to cop some criticism for this lack of intensity.

Interesting choices. Both very inexperienced but talented. Hopefully Benji persists with Galvin and Strange appears to be cementing his place in competition with Weekes.

Fair enough. Good choices those first 3.

Savage is a new man, Smithies is a real workhorse and Strange could be anything.

Raiders carrying another legacy player with EW this season. Much like Jarrod Croker last year and Terry Campese after his ACLs.

Mind you the Raiders are a bit light on for back rowers with CHN still on the books but unavailable. But Hosking should be starting and getting 60 minutes – even if EW is captain.

Good to see Ata Mariota back for Guler and Schiller in for Cotric. Mooney is unlucky not to get a game – almost 200 run metres in his last two NSW Cup games. And Big Red is having another run in the twos – to get his fitness up I suspect.

Do you have Hosking and Strange in your team? Should be good value.

You can understand why Ricky went with Jordan at FB.

Chevy Stewart is only 18 but acquitting himself well in NSW Cup. He is the future 1 I suspect.

Xavier Savage has had a mixed career so far – played well enough to keep CNK out of the team in 2022 but had a wretched run with injuries in 2023 – a broken jaw and bad hamstring injury among them. He has bulked up a bit since and has a bit more starch in his tackles. Just ask AFB on Friday night. Apparently Xavier and Seb Kris approached Ricky to see if they could form a combination this season.

Jordie looked gassed at half time against the Warriors but that was only due to the effort he was putting in. 205 metres against the Warriors, a try assist and a line break assist. 143 metres against the Tigers with a line break and a try. 186 metres against the Knights with a try. And 1 error per game. A pretty decent return I would have thought.

We keep waiting for something to happen with Souths but the performance against the Roosters was limp and surprising given how much attention their poor form has received. But you’re right – they have too much talent not to put it together sooner or later. Souths are just too hot or cold and just don’t have the consistency of teams like the Storm and Penrith. It comes with having too many brilliant but erratic players.

Pretty harsh with your implied assessment of Jordan Rapana at full back. Xavier Savage has been great on the wing so far and should form a great partnership with Seb Kris over the coming weeks. Its Chevy Stewart that is being groomed for the full back possie at the Raiders – he needs a bit more time in NSW Cup but should be ready for first grade mid to late season. Don’t think the club could have asked for much more from Jordan. He gives everything week in week out. And was arguably the best for the Raiders against the Warriors. He may lack a bit of pace but his effort and support play is second to none.

At last rankings based on performance rather than reputation. Got it bang on this week Paul.
Biggest shock was that lame performance by Souths. I honestly thought they would show something with Jack playing his first game, Iliais dropped and Cook benched – but nothing – absolute diddley squat. Which makes you wonder whether Demetriou has lost the room.
Some great games to watch – particularly Eels and Manly and the Warriors against the Raiders. And the Tigers belting the Sharks was great for the Tigers faithful. Worrying signs for Dessie. Not sure that he and the Titans are a good fit. Dessie demands grit and aggression and I’m not sure the Titans have that in their DNA.

Owe you one in the tipping comp Baz. Hope you had a great day. Sounded as though Belmore was going off judging by what I heard on the radio for the last 20 minutes or so.

Great game to watch – tough and gritty. Games between these two are always close.

The Roosters/Souths game was just sad. Can’t believe how far Souths have fallen. Keep thinking surely they rediscover something – the switch gets flicked – but there was no energy or spark or effort. Its like Demetriou has lost the room.

The Dogs versus Titans is a tough one to pick – the Titans are missing Campbell and Fifita but the Dogs struggle to score – are you confident?

In terms of selections I guess Ricky was torn between putting faith in captain Whitehead who had recovered from injury and rewarding the brilliant form of Hosking. Probably made the wrong choice in the end. Elliot didn’t do a lot and Hosking wasn’t as effective as he has been. Mind you the Warriors defence looked determined to blunt Hosking’s effectiveness.

I think I might have been a bit harsh in my comments during the call yesterday – disappointment of losing I guess. The Raiders were competitive for the full 80 minutes and defensively they are far more resilient than they were in 2023. The tackle by Savage on AFB when he looked certain to score was symbolic of this. But in attack they are still lacking set plays and structures in the 20 metre zone to take advantage of their good defence when the game is on the line. Fogarty and Strange need to take responsibility for this. A few calls went against them when two tries weren’t given. If they were the bunker may have struggled to take them off them and the result could have been different. Credit to Ricky that he didn’t whinge about it in the presser.
Rapana was immense, Timoko always looked threatening, Savage looks reborn and will only get better as will Strange. I had a go at Guler and Cotric during the game but on reflection Emre was pretty solid. Its very disappointing to see Nick Cotric struggling for form. He was a gun a few years ago but seems to have lost that bustling barging direct style in favour of crabbing across field. Don’t know if its a lack of confidence but he needs to get back to that more direct style he used to have. Maybe he needs to drop a few kilos and fine down a bit to give him a bit more flexibility and agility. – particularly under the high ball. Hope he gets his mojo back.

Like Paul have a sneaky feeling the Rabbits might get up on Friday. Jack playing his first game, Latrell copping heaps for his expletive laden comments, the number 7 being sacrificed for pretty poor team performances, South’s coach under the pump …. Somethings gotta give.

Guler has the occasional good game – but he’s a plodder compared with Mariota and Mooney – two dynamic young forwards who should be being groomed to take over from Papalii and Tapine down the track. Saulo offers a bit more but I’d rather have Mariota and Mooney on the bench than Guler and Saulo. And things get even more complicated when Big Red come back.

Hosking has to start for the Raiders after his brilliant form so far. Elliot Whitehead should be on the bench. Don’t care if he is captain.

And can’t believe Ricky has left Mariota out of the 17 and young Trey Mooney runs for 200 metres in NSW Cup last week and can’t get a game. Emre Guler better produce the goods as he has these two plus Corey Horsburgh when he returns breathing down his neck. Talking of which isn’t Big Red available for selection? Can’t see him in the firsts or reserves.

The comment was simply referring to the fact that they were selected at the age of 30 or over and succeeded – not comparing their ability.

So Webster should be discounted just because he is over the age of 30 and we make judgements on his career average – not his most recent performances?

I can recall a couple of examples – Tim Paine and Mike Hussey – who were picked late in their careers who both performed exceptionally well for an extended period of time. Hussey debuted at 30 and played 79 Tests. Paine came back at the age of 33 if I recall and ended up playing 27 Tests to add to his earlier 8 Tests before his finger injury.

Can’t see why Webster couldn’t do something similar at age 30. We just don’t know unless you are given an opportunity.

He could be in the mix for 5 or 6 – particularly the way Head has been batting lately. Green at 4 followed by Marsh at 5, Webster at 6 and Carey at 7. I could live with that.

Well I guess that helps explain why the selectors stick rigidly with the current top 6 in the batting order.

Hardie has a first class average of 41.3 and McSweeney has an average of 33.9. Are they more worthy than Webster?