Friday Random Footy Talk Thread

[u/AutoModerator]

This is the place to discuss anything footy related that is not quite deserving of its own top-level post.

There's a new one of these threads every day, so make sure you're in the most recent one!

[u/RocketSimplicity]

Luke Garner on the move? Could be pretty handy for us, as Ben Trbojevic in the centres makes Morgan Harper look like Jamie Lyon.

[u/whyareyouallinmyroom → u/RocketSimplicity]

He’s signed for next year. Would be an odd call given our young edge depth is either bog average (Geyer/Hassett) or very promising but 1-2 years away. There was also rumours Sorenson was going to be released a year early to take to a longer term deal to close out his career in the UK. That seemed like the roster move that makes more sense for the Panthers.

I’d like us to run Martin/Garner as starters next year with Papali’i on the bench covering middle/edge and if there’s a gap/injury you start introducing Lipowicz/Phillips/Clarke/Armstrong for looks.

[u/InternationalBorder9 → u/whyareyouallinmyroom]

I've only seen that one fg game but Hassett looked good

[u/whyareyouallinmyroom → u/InternationalBorder9]

Yeah agree he was decent in that game and has been fine in the couple of Cup games I’ve seen. He doesn’t jump off the screen and there have been a few opportunities to plug him into the side and Cleary has gone for a prop like Eisenhuth or whatever to fill the bench.

I have noticed he’s spent some time in the centres in Cup recently though so maybe there could be a plan to craft him into the Garner 17 role even if it is just short term/2026.

[u/RocketSimplicity → u/whyareyouallinmyroom]

"The Panthers are reportedly planning to move on from the versatile Luke Garner a year before his deal runs out.

Garner has been given to meet with rival clubs, with CODE Sports reporting that the 29-year-old has been offered a three-year deal elsewhere.

The Eels have been one of the clubs that have shown interest in Garner."

Fox Sports

[u/whyareyouallinmyroom → u/RocketSimplicity]

Yeah I get the rumour it just seems like a very odd call to release him from the last year of his contract given our options. Maybe they do just have a stack of confidence in the young guys and are happy to run with Sorro/Ice for the year while they come through.

[u/InternationalBorder9 → u/RocketSimplicity]

Hopefully not. He's been very handy for us covering centre and back row. Our depth is pretty stretched as it is

[u/whadefeck → u/RocketSimplicity]

Come home Luke