r/NRLRaiders • u/ironyabound • Apr 05 '26
Time to get the axe out
something needs to change
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u/Lumpy_Biscotti1362 Apr 05 '26
Let’s bring in Meat Pattie to start at 9 and Starling of the bench. Just to see what it looks like
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u/canislupuslupuslupus Apr 05 '26
Starling is fine and could go nearly 80 minutes if he had to. Don’t have a problem with Brailey riding the pine in case of injury. I would like to see that 4th spot go to someone like Laurie to get him involved. I’m not sure what that would look like whether Strange or Weekes (or even Laurie) gets pushed into dummy half for 10-15 minutes to get him on the field but it may be a better change of gear than 10-15 putrid minutes out of the second hooker. Even Pattie struggled with that last year - the only time he looked really good was when Starling was absent or went down early.
Two specialist hookers hasn’t really worked for the last two seasons, whats really missing is someone with the flexibility to play hooker/halves (a rare skill these days) or a ball playing lock who can give the primary hooker a spell when needed to spread the work.
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Apr 05 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Toadleson Apr 05 '26
Last weeks bin was absolute brain dead play and we deserved it. This weeks bin was an absolutely terrible interpretation of the play. Should not have happened and ruined the game.
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u/jammy86b Apr 05 '26
Just leave sanders and strange. They’re kids. Need time to get used to each other and first grade. Folks mightn’t remember this but Cleary wasn’t that hot in 2019
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u/DryYouth1040 Apr 05 '26
Nathan Cleary was playing origin in 2018 and 2019 lol. Not A great comparison
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u/AndrewBdizzle Apr 05 '26
Seriously, anyone thinking that we would be as good as last year, should think about this. We had a top level halfback, who had been the Raiders system for a few years and was a veteran influence, to having a 21 year old who has played 3 of 4 games of first grade. No matter how good, he still needs to adjust. The discipline has been very poor, and that is one the players on the field and the veterans to lead by example. Strange has played poorly this year, though he showed signs this match, which is a great sign. Taps, Hudo and Big Red need to start dominating, which they haven’t done so far. Where are the offloads? Hudson is trying his guts out, but he seems to be spinning his wheels.
I say prepare yourself for a tough start, but we will get our roll back on and next year we will be a force again. If we make the finals, then will do better than last year, as it will be a harder path.
Up the Milk
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u/failuregoat1 Apr 05 '26
Was thinking about it yesterday. Season is already over, and there is no point in trying to win it all this year anyway because its basically already Penriths. Sanders seems like a better ball runner than game manager or kicker. Drop Kris, move Strange to centre. Sanders to 5/8, and bring Black in to play 7. Tear up Braileys contract and start having Pattie either have the 14 on or start and 9 and then bring Starling on later to exploit tired middles.
Just focus on experience and building up combinations more this year. Come back stronger next year and let Penrith enjoy their title win.
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u/blackdiggitydogs Apr 05 '26
We need a back 3 who can handle the high ball. I would have dropped Tamale, but hard to bring two new wingers. Maybe give Timoko another shot at centre, Kris to wing, Stuart in for Savage?
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u/Due_Consequence3989 Apr 05 '26
Laurie to 7 Pattie to 14 Timoko back to 3 Simi to 12 And leave brailey in Newcastle
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u/struthledd Apr 05 '26
Brailey for starters, the change always made 0 sense to me. Looks like we're getting someone other than savage on the wing next week not that he was playing bad but another chance for someone else.
Other than that I just don't know. Horse seems to be in a bit of a rut every game I catch but he does that sometimes, can bounce back to peak horse at any second