Throw the chequebook at Hunt

[Steakface]

I think there is certainly an argument to be made around this, I said pre-season I thought we would struggle to win the comp as we were overloaded with creative players and short on organisers and support players. Specifically about the spine but the more and more the season has progressed I think it can be applied to the whole side. Not an individual talent issue, but an issue with the balance of our best 17.

Angus Crichton being a perfect example last night, his role last night should’ve been to take a bunch of tough carries (ala Cordner) and then offer a threat close to the line but instead he was trying to create opportunities by throwing reckless offloads 30-40m out from the try line.

True.

What made Cords so good is with one run he could change the whole complexion of a set of 6.

Head down, hard running at speed, and hit the line and bend the defence back, followed by a really really quick play the ball.

Then as long as your dummy half is quick enough, you've got momentum over the opposition, as the defence have not had time to set their 10 meters.

Spencer is probably the closest we've got to a forward who could possibly do this regularly.

[Thirteen]

Hunt has been pretty poor this year

Despite having more try assists than anyone.

[FlamingRooster]

Wishart should be our number 1 target Imo for 2026. He can play anywhere including 1,6,7 and 9. Currently on $350k a year.

This is character development Batesy. I like it

[2013PREMIERS]

The guy who had to beat 2 average to below average teams to make the finals and had two of his worst games of the year? No thanks

[Jacks Fur Coat]

Clearly there a few people here that don't understand the basics of footy.

Thurston, Johns, Cronk's of this world would also have been totally ineffective against that kind of first half onslaught.

The game was lost in the forwards, in the middle of the park.

No half can do anything with almost no possession + with their pack being steamrolled like a freight train over a puppy.

JWH, Cheese and Radley would have made a big difference last night.

You're on the money (esp your first sentence)

Even JWH alone would have made a big diiference. Very rarely have I seen us lose the battle of the middle with the big fella in the office.

[King Salvo]

Sam has the best short kicking game in the comp. This is something we dearly missed! It keeps the opposition guessing, on the back foot and opens up so many attacking options.

Hard to do any short kicks when you don't have the ball though and are rucking it out from your own end when you do have the ball - Penrith dominated possession and field position in those first 25 or so minutes hence the score line - Roosters had made 100 plus more tackles at that stage as well.

[Steggles]

Hunt is a world class creative player but he’s not and never has been an organiser. Just because he is an old doesn’t mean he has the ability to lead us around, anyone who watched the Dragons fumble their finals chances this year would’ve seen that.

We’ve got an old head already that couldn’t organise a chook raffle, let’s not replace him with another one.

[Bates]

Hard to do any short kicks when you don't have the ball though and are rucking it out from your own end when you do have the ball - Penrith dominated possession and field position in those first 25 or so minutes hence the score line - Roosters had made 100 plus more tackles at that stage as well.

We had enough ball for a player like Sammy to turn it into scoreboard pressure. Just his inclusion in the team would see a change in the Panthers game plan. Their D wouldn't attack the advantage line with such speed and commitment as Sammy has the ability to thread the needle with his short kicking game and great vision.

To think that we wouldn't have been more competitive with Sammy is naive.

[Bates]

True.

What made Cords so good is with one run he could change the whole complexion of a set of 6.

Head down, hard running at speed, and hit the line and bend the defence back, followed by a really really quick play the ball.

Then as long as your dummy half is quick enough, you've got momentum over the opposition, as the defence have not had time to set their 10 meters.

Spencer is probably the closest we've got to a forward who could possibly do this regularly.

Moa, Friend. Maloney and Cords had this play on a string.

[King Salvo]

We had enough ball for a player like Sammy to turn it into scoreboard pressure. Just his inclusion in the team would see a change in the Panthers game plan. Their D wouldn't attack the advantage line with such speed and commitment as Sammy has the ability to thread the needle with his short kicking game and great vision.

To think that we wouldn't have been more competitive with Sammy is naive.

Did you look at the stats - possession / field position / tackles inside 20 etc - Penrith had 70% plus possession in that 25 or so minute period hence the score line - At half time it was 62% to 38% as the Roosters had a bit more ball in that last 15 or so minute period.

Penrith would not have changed their game plan as they play the same way week in week out - would have targeted Walker in D

[Bates]

Did you look at the stats - possession / field position / tackles inside 20 etc - Penrith had 70% plus possession in that 25 or so minute period hence the score line - At half time it was 62% to 38% as the Roosters had a bit more ball in that last 15 or so minute period.

Penrith would not have changed their game plan as they play the same way week in week out - would have targeted Walker in D

Yes mate. Those stats would change when you have your best playmaker available.

[Mickie Lane]

Not Ben Hunt related but I just want to bring up Kayln Ponga.
He is everything to Newcastle & what a player he is.
I know some on here say he's coming to the Roosters which was denied this week but what a coup he would be.
He is the best FB in the game.

[FlamingRooster]

Not Ben Hunt related but I just want to bring up Kayln Ponga.
He is everything to Newcastle & what a player he is.
I know some on here say he's coming to the Roosters which was denied this week but what a coup he would be.
He is the best FB in the game.

Can definitely see him asking out. Would be difficult to see him at Roosters while Tedesco is playing as well as he is. Dogs would certainly be looking at him

[theGman]

Can definitely see him asking out. Would be difficult to see him at Roosters while Tedesco is playing as well as he is. Dogs would certainly be looking at him

Would play him at five eight.

[FlamingRooster]

Would play him at five eight.

He’s not been good there. Knights have done that experiment plenty.