Panthers V Manly Waringah Sea Eagles

[ssar]

From sportal.com.au:

"Preview: Panthers v Sea Eagles
Scott Brooks, Sportal

VENUE & TIME: CUA Stadium, Saturday June 13, 7.30pm (AEST).
COVERAGE: Fox Sports
LAST TIME: Panthers 12 - Sea Eagles 10 at Brookvale Oval, Round 3 2008.

WALKING WOUNDED: Panthers and NSW Origin utility Luke Lewis is hopeful a broken toe suffered against the Tigers last Friday night will keep him out for only three weeks, despite initially being ruled out for up to two months. He joins fellow Origin star Michael Jennings (calf) and winger Michael Gordon (ankle) on the sidelines.
Centre Jamie Lyon has been named in an unchanged Sea Eagles line-up despite leaving the field early against the Roosters last weekend with an ankle problem.

FORM: A late rally ensured the Panthers returned to the winners' circle last Friday night when they took care of the Tigers 26-10 at Leichhardt Oval. A strong forward performance paved the way for the likes of crafty half-back Luke Walsh to run riot late in the game, giving the Panthers some breathing space in the bottom half of the top-eight.
The Sea Eagles were given a tough ride for almost an hour of their game against the Roosters on Saturday night, but class took over late in the match as Manly's big guns assumed control. It was a crucial result in terms of the Sea Eagles' finals aspirations, considering they are still four-points shy of eighth position.

WHO'S HOT: Panthers forward Trent Waterhouse continues to do all the right things as he attempts to become part of the NSW Origin framework for the return bout in Sydney. The former Test back-rower was the most effective forward on the paddock against the Tigers, leading the way for his side in hit-ups, metres-gained and tackles made.
One of Waterhouse's chief rivals for a Blues back-row position is the Sea Eagles' Anthony Watmough who made several damaging runs to help his team emerge from a mid-game rut against the Roosters. 'Choc' split the Chooks' flimsy right-side defence on a couple of occasions and a scored a try to yet again put his name up in lights.

WE THINK: It will be interesting to see the Panthers take to the field in an all-pink strip on Saturday night as they aim to raise money for breast cancer support. The change from black to pink is a big one, but if their playing style and intensity of the last two months remains intact then the boys from the foot of the mountains should pack enough punch to make it seven wins from their last nine encounters at home against Manly. The battle of the forward packs should be intense and this is where the Panthers may just hold a slight advantage. Panthers by 4."

---

And from Joey's predictions on one of those big media websites:

"PENRITH v MANLY:

Panthers:

Still without Jennings and now Lewis has a broken toe and is out so the Panthers lose a lot of strike-power with those two missing. Wasn’t overly impressed with their win over Tigers but are always hard to beat at home.

Eagles:

Not there yet but getting back to the sort of form we have come to expect from the Eagles. Big game for the likes of Brent Kite, Josh Perry, Anthony Watmough and the Wolfman Williams. They need to keep the roll going.

Verdict:

Penrith fell over the line against the Tigers in a game I didn’t think either side wanted to win. Manly here."

---

I am personally worried about this game for our boys - the Panthers have been doing more things right on the field more often, over the past 1-2 months.

But our boys can do it, if they fire up and link together lots of good set completions and backline swing plays.

This would be a good win under our belt on our quest to make the top 8 this year, I'll be putting a couple of bets on Manly but still undecided on who I'm actually going to tip..

 

[Rex]

a post below from a panther fan on LU

... Manly to run at Blair all night and put 40 on us...deadset...that guy is so slow..he's our Owen Craigie. Incredibly talented...but incredibly lazy.

No Jennings or Lewis is VERY, VERY difficult to overcome.

Here is a VERY different view of Blair's defensive capabilities.  Penrith fan playing games, or spotted a fundamental weakness not noticed by Meninga?

---------------------------------

Panther Maurice Blair considered for Queensland Origin

Steve Ricketts

June 11, 2009 12:00am

PENRITH centre Maurice Blair has entered the frame for the vacant centre position in the Queensland State of Origin team to play New South Wales in Sydney on Wednesday week.

Queensland selector Allan Smith will attend Saturday's round 14 NRL game between Penrith and Manly at CUA Stadium to run the rule over the 24-year-old Maryborough product who is starting to find form after a slow start to the season.

A member of the Queensland Emerging Squad, Blair played for the Panthers against Wests Tigers last weekend after NSW Origin centre Michael Jennings was ruled out through injury.

Blair, who played 24 NRL games last season, made the most of his chance with a busy game featuring 15 tackles, 15 hit-ups, one try assist and a total gain of 113m, a figure only surpassed by fullbacks Lachlan Coote (Penrith) and Tim Moltzen (Tigers).

Last year Blair played mainly five-eighth with his rugged defence and good allround attacking game earning him a spot in the Prime Minister's XIII for the annual trip to Papua New Guinea with Queensland coach Mal Meninga in charge.

Blair also played centre in the Indigenous Dreamtime team which beat the Maoris 34-26 in a curtain-raiser to the first-round World Cup match between Australia and New Zealand in Sydney.

He looked set for a big 2009 but battled weight problems in the summer and has spent most of the season in the NSW Cup.

"Mal (Meninga) is a big fan of Maurice and obviously he wants to explore every avenue before deciding on a replacement for Justin Hodges," QRL managing director Ross Livermore said last night. "Mal has asked for Allan to attend the Penrith game and also the St George Illawarra-North Queensland Cowboys match in Wollongong on Sunday.

"It's pretty obvious who Allan will be looking at down there."

The Dragons' Queensland contingent includes fullback Darius Boyd and winger Wendell Sailor, while Cowboys pair Willie Tonga and Ashley Graham are frontline contenders for the Queensland centre spot left vacant by a serious knee injury to Broncos star Hodges.

Former Test centre Tonga is outright favourite, a fact acknowledged by veteran Sailor who says the Maroons selectors should look to the future by picking the 25-year-old.

"I think it would be smarter to pick Willie," Sailor said. "He's played some good footy and he's a bit younger. But if I got the opportunity I'd certainly play."

Meninga and the Queensland selectors will meet on Monday with the side to be named the next day.

The Maroons will transfer to Terrigal on the NSW Central Coast on Thursday before setting up camp in Sydney on match eve.

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,25617697-10389,00.html

 

[Berkeley_Eagle]

Panthers v Sea Eagles
CUA Stadium
Saturday 7.30pm
http://www.nrl.com/telstrapremiership/scores/tabid/10240/roundid/783/fixtureid/5442/infotabid/1/default.aspx


Two flashy units with plenty at stake look set to scorch the turf here: a win would elevate Penrith from borderline top-eight to the outskirts of the top four, while a loss would mire them in the battle for the finals zone.

Meanwhile the Sea Eagles need a win to stay in touch with the pack of top-eight contenders; currently they’re 10th on the ladder on 12 points, two wins away from the Panthers. A loss would be severely damaging as they play the Bulldogs and Dragons following their Round 16 bye next week.

But Manly coach Des Hasler will like his chances of a win in this game, with key injuries to Michael Jennings (still out with a calf complaint suffered in Origin I) and Luke Lewis (toe, possibly for a month) depleting the Panthers’ ranks.

Both sides have played fair footy over the past month. The home side have won five of their past six, falling only to the table-topping Dragons a fortnight ago. Last round, fielding under-strength troops, they put the sword to the Wests Tigers at Leichhardt.

The Sea Eagles have won three of their past four, kick-started by a stunning upset win over the Broncos and punctuated by a heartbreaking one-point loss to the Titans in controversy. Last week they accounted for the Roosters at Brookvale Oval in a tradesman-like effort.

Watch out Panthers: Manly’s David Williams and Anthony Watmough will be out to press their Origin claims. Both are back to their devastating best, illustrated by dominant displays against the Roosters last week.

Williams scored a runaway try, gained 276 metres and made a bunch of tackle breaks, while Watmough scored a try with 17 hit-ups and nine punishing tackle busts.

Also, the Panthers can’t afford to misfire their set plays and get in front of their kickers when they go to the air and bomb (which with 46 for the year they do more than any other team). Trouble is they have conceded a whopping 13 penalties in attack (behind only the Dragons). They can’t afford to blow their chances against the Sea Eagles.

Watch out Sea Eagles: With the creativity and pace of Lewis and Jennings missing, much falls on the shoulders of the forwards to cut out mistakes and gain good field position.

While captain Petero Civoniceva has been a powerhouse as usual, back-rower Trent Waterhouse has shown he’s back to top form in 2009; he was dominant against the Wests Tigers, making 21 hit-ups for 146 metres with 41 tackles for good measure. He is an inspirational-type player whose involvement the visitors will need to snuff out early.

Elsewhere the Sea Eagles will need to watch for runs out of dummy-half: the Panthers have made six line breaks from the ruck to rank third in the NRL. Manly will especially need to be careful defending their line, where they are prone to defensive lapses; Panthers hooker Paul Aiton caught the Tigers napping when running from five metres out last week to score and won’t be afraid to try again when presented the chance.

Lastly: Manly have only won two of their six games at night this year.

Where it will be won: The kicking battle. Whichever side pulls out a better-than-average kicking game will hold a distinct advantage.

Both sides have only average stats when it comes to kicking to open space – Penrith do it 49.3 per cent of the time to the Sea Eagles’ 45.7 per cent. But alarmingly for both sides, they make the least territory (Penrith, 1676 metres, Manly 1873 metres) of all teams in the NRL.

But let’s go a few steps further: to date Manly have tallied the fewest metres (6155) on kicks in the comp, while Penrith have the second fewest (6213). Then there’s Penrith’s woeful 43 per cent kick accuracy…

Last, Penrith and manly are two of just five sides to have not kicked a 40/20 in 2009.

As you can see, whoever turns up the heat with the boot will gain an edge. Will it be the experienced Matt Orford, or the emerging talent Luke Walsh?

The History: Played 71; Sea Eagles 45, Panthers 25, drawn 1. A fairly even history with the Sea Eagles successful five of the past eight times they’ve met. But the Panthers sprung a huge surprise at Brookvale Oval in Round 3, winning 12-10.

Conclusion: Expect this to be a fast and furious game, especially given both sides’ defensive records around the ruck – to date Manly’s 273 marker tackles are the third fewest in the comp – with Penrith only marginally ahead of them with 281. Given Manly have tallied 10 more penalties in defence for the year than their opponents, chances are Matt Elliott may direct his mobile forwards to test the Sea Eagles – and the referees.

Jennings and Lewis’ absence is a huge blow for the home side and it definitely swings the pendulum towards the visiting side. But the Panthers have shown they will be competitive at all times in 2009, so tip with caution.

Match officials: Referees – Jason Robinson & Tony De Las Heras; Sideline Officials – Steve Chiddy & Jeff Younis; Video Ref – Sean Hampstead.

Televised: Fox Sports – Live 7.30pm.

 

[Berkeley_Eagle]

http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/files/pge%2062.pdf

[img=324x400]http://s1.lookpic.com/images/1244755618-Capture.JPG[/img]

 

[KaZa]

any chance Farrar will play?

 

[eggson]

Don't know if you could read the late mail down the right bottom side but it says Suniula or Farrar are on stand by for Lyon who's got til kick off.

I wonder if we'll see Farrar at fullback at any time?  I know he was brought in as cover for all back positions but it seems that Robbo is getting better and better

 

[KaZa]

ah your right. Couldnt read that! haha.

I thought we got him so we can move Robbo to the wing though.

 

[niccipops]

Manly to win.........PLEEAASE!

 

[DSM5]

Interesting to note that the Williams boys have swapped sides.  Des obviously thinks that Penrith will attack down that side and David W is a better defender than Big Tony.  I agree with this.  David's quicker to turn and faster of the mark to burn that side if we get a break.  Tony needs to step up now that Farrar has arrived.

 

[Berkeley_Eagle]

penrith.......$2.10
manly.........$1.70

penrith......+2.5
manly........-2.5

penrith......1-12......$3.50
penrith........+13.....$5.00

manly.........1-12....$3.00
manly.........+13.....$3.75

 

[Berkeley_Eagle]

Manly give Jamie Lyon every chance

By Ed Jackson | June 12, 2009 04:42pm
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/sport/nrl/story/0,26799,25625826-5006066,00.html

MANLY will give centre Jamie Lyon every chance to prove his fitness for Saturday's NRL match against Penrith.

The NSW Origin player limped off with a sprained ankle just 15 minutes into last week's 38-18 win over the Roosters but the Sea Eagles say he is yet to be ruled out of the Panthers match.

Instead, Manly's football manager Steve Gigg said a decision on Lyon would not be made until one hour before kick-off.

"No he's not definitely out," Gigg said.

"He'll be given as much time as possible, right up until one hour before the game to prove his fitness.

"He trained yesterday, we expect him to train tonight and we'll see how he pulls up tomorrow."

In good news for Blues fans, Gigg said the sprain was not as serious as first feared and the 27-year-old should be fine to play in Origin II in Sydney on June 24.

"It wasn't as severe as we first thought so it's in a better situation than we first envisaged," he said.

Should Lyon fail to make the cut for Saturday's game, one of the contenders to take his spot is recruit Ben Farrar, who has only just completed a mid-season switch from North Queensland.

But Gigg said Farrar was no certainty to be brought into the team if Lyon is ruled out.

"He's one of a number," Gigg said.

"There's a fella named Andrew Suniula as well and we've got our eye on one of the under-20s who's been performing well so there's a few in the mix."

Saturday's match, which the Panthers will play in a pink strip as part of the NRL's Women in League celebration, is looming as an important one for both Origin camps.

While Lyon will be keen to prove his fitness, Queensland selector Alan Smith is heading to CUA Stadium to cast an eye over Panthers centre Maurice Blair.

The 24-year-old is in an apparent five-way battle to replace the injured Justin Hodges along with Cowboys pair Willie Tonga and Ash Graham plus veterans Wendell Sailor and Chris Walker.

Penrith will be hoping for a big game from Blair, with NSW pair Luke Lewis (toe) and Michael Jennings (thumb) both ruled out.

 

[Berkeley_Eagle]

Panthers wary of low-flying Sea Eagles
http://www.smh.com.au/news/lhqnews/panthers-wary-of-lowflying-sea-eagles/2009/06/12/1244664848009.html

Greg Prichard | June 13, 2009
Penrith v Manly

Tonight, CUA Stadium, 7.30pm.

What the Panthers say: They're taking no notice of the fact Manly are in 10th place. "Manly are definitely one of the top sides," said five-eighth Wade Graham. "I don't think their position on the ladder means anything … They're still going to be there at the end. They're the premiers and have a lot of quality players."

What the Sea Eagles say: Even though they beat Sydney Roosters by 20 points last weekend, coach Des Hasler realises they have to tie things down even harder against the Panthers. "I was disappointed with a couple of the tries they [the Roosters] scored," he said.

What Prichard says: Penrith beat Manly 12-10 at Brookvale Oval in round three, but that game is no guide to what might happen here. Both sides were awful on the night and the Sea Eagles were at a particularly low ebb at the time, as they struggled in vain to win without Brett Stewart. They have since improved in that area, winning three of their past four without Stewart. But the Panthers have kicked on from that point as well. They are maturing as a team, and their self-belief has increased dramatically. Penrith home games have all been high-scoring ones this season. This one is likely to still be up for grabs entering the last 10 minutes. Forced to tip, I'd say Manly by a nose.

For the Panthers to win: They are going to have to up the ante in defence. Sure, they only conceded 10 points in beating Wests Tigers last weekend, but the Tigers were guilty of a heap of turnovers and the Panthers still didn't get away from them until the dying minutes. Manly won't waste possession like the Tigers did. They will put the Panthers under plenty of pressure. Penrith's pointscoring potential decreases significantly with injured centre Michael Jennings out, so it will be up to the Panthers to hold tight when Manly are attacking their line.

For the Sea Eagles to win: They just have to keep going the way they are going. There has been gradual improvement from them over a few weeks now. Hasler isn't looking for anything too outrageous. Manly aren't as dynamic when Brett Stewart isn't there, but they can still put enough pressure on the opposition by playing the game at speed, keeping the errors to a minimum and kicking and chasing well.

The X factor: Jarrod Sammut. Penrith missed him when he was out injured against the Tigers. He has been a constant danger since being switched to fullback. The position gives him the freedom to bob up all over the field and he is very good at thinking quickly and taking advantage with a dash or a chip-kick when the defence is out of shape. In a potentially tight game, he could come up with a match-winning play.

What the bookies say: They've gone with the home-ground advantage and made Penrith favourites, but only slightly. TAB Sportsbet has Penrith at $1.75 and Manly $2.05.

Late Mail: Manly centre Jamie Lyon remains in doubt with an ankle injury.

 

[nodd]

Manly 30- Panthers 10
1st try- Watmough
MoM - Orford

 

[Berkeley_Eagle]

reports Jennings may be a late inclusion

 

[reyam]

reports Jennings may be a late inclusion

Penriff 32- 14

 

[missing_something]

reports Jennings may be a late inclusion

That was always going to be the case

 

[Berkeley_Eagle]

Toyota cup
20min
Manly 24
Penrith 6

 

[swoop]

Toyota cup
Manly 34 - 6

30mins to go.

 

[Cameron]

40-6 now
any werd on lyon

 

[Cameron]

fark
52-6 manly 15 to go