Russell Packer

[gato]

I really hope he stays consistant from here on out it will be a big test next week with the eels pack and i expect there will be some dubious calls favoring the eels there really wasn't any last night.

 

[Spud_Murphy]

What a difference a week makes..last week these blokes were useless slow fat plodders..lol

Kudos to Madge I reckon for extracting the ‘plodder’ out of some of these guys. Eiso, Aloiai, Rowdy, even Clark and now Packer are all playing with renewed enthusiasm and greater ability than they’ve shown previously.

 

[JC99]

Hate to say it but offered a lot more than Clark at prop

Hate to say it but offered a lot more than Clark at prop

You would expect an International prop to do that over a 23 year old that has played only 14 games (even less starting).

Not sure just how impatient you are Josh.

Obviously expect a SOO performance from these young guys first up.

Seeing as packer is a plodder to most people on the forum, I was pointing out he’s a much better option than Clark

 

[Russell]

Hate to say it but offered a lot more than Clark at prop

You would expect an International prop to do that over a 23 year old that has played only 14 games (even less starting).

Not sure just how impatient you are Josh.

Obviously expect a SOO performance from these young guys first up.

Seeing as packer is a plodder to most people on the forum, I was pointing out he’s a much better option than Clark

Always good to compare like with like though Josh.

 

[JC99]

Hate to say it but offered a lot more than Clark at prop

You would expect an International prop to do that over a 23 year old that has played only 14 games (even less starting).

Not sure just how impatient you are Josh.

Obviously expect a SOO performance from these young guys first up.

Seeing as packer is a plodder to most people on the forum, I was pointing out he’s a much better option than Clark

Always good to compare like with like though Josh.

Fair enough. Clark seems a determined fella he will work hard to get back into the team it should do him some good. He will play again this year I’m sure

 

[TrueTiger]

What a difference a week makes..last week these blokes were useless slow fat plodders..lol

Kudos to Madge I reckon for extracting the ‘plodder’ out of some of these guys. Eiso, Aloiai, Rowdy, even Clark and now Packer are all playing with renewed enthusiasm and greater ability than they’ve shown previously.

I remember in another thread I said about BJ,and how Madge has to be a good man manager to get BJ in the right head space...I reckon he is not only a great coach but an exquisite man manager,to get Russ up and playing really good footy after his shocker first up and the way the team responds to Madge is a sign of a very good person as well..

 

[Yossarian]

He looked fit and in a good headspace last night. Madge mentioned he’s hardly been able to train until they sorted out his foot. Guy like him can only improve with game time.

 

[Red88_Tiger]

What a difference a week makes..last week these blokes were useless slow fat plodders..lol

Kudos to Madge I reckon for extracting the ‘plodder’ out of some of these guys. Eiso, Aloiai, Rowdy, even Clark and now Packer are all playing with renewed enthusiasm and greater ability than they’ve shown previously.

I remember in another thread I said about BJ,and how Madge has to be a good man manager to get BJ in the right head space...I reckon he is not only a great coach but an exquisite man manager,to get Russ up and playing really good footy after his shocker first up and the way the team responds to Madge is a sign of a very good person as well..

Not sure about man manager but if he’s eager to please so he doesn’t cop another spray that will do me

 

[AdelaideTiger]

That was fun to watch last night. The thing that really stood out for me was how measured that performance was. Not only was he very very strong with the ball he was smashing blokes on his decoy runs. Something you don't often see anymore.
However I don't think he should start next week assuming twal is back. Not so much that he's not up to it but I would look to get him on at the 20-25 min mark for a bit of spark. There was a notable dip when the starters went off which we can ill afford next week.

 

[Sart0ri]

Packer and Musgrove sharing 80min as enforcers
Aloiai and Mikaele sharing 80min as impact runners
Twal at lock for 60-80min as defensive/workhorse
Blore on the bench to cover lock and 2nd row

Looks very balanced to me

 

[Tiger5150]

I was really disappointed to see him named, but I have to say I was impressed with his game and he looked the fittest he has looked for a while for mine.

 

[teddy23]

Packer and Musgrove sharing 80min as enforcers
Aloiai and Mikaele sharing 80min as impact runners
Twal at lock for 60-80min as defensive/workhorse
Blore on the bench to cover lock and 2nd row

Looks very balanced to me

Add Stefano to that pack next year too.... our prop rotation is looking nice for 2021

 

[Aesopian]

Packer and Musgrove sharing 80min as enforcers
Aloiai and Mikaele sharing 80min as impact runners
Twal at lock for 60-80min as defensive/workhorse
Blore on the bench to cover lock and 2nd row

Looks very balanced to me

Add Stefano to that pack next year too.... our prop rotation is looking nice for 2021

That pack is downright sexy... scary potential with that lineup.
RIP every other NRL pack

 

[Tigerbuck63]

Great game big Russ you made us forum members proud.
lets back it up next week with a similar performance and make other packs fear our aggression and go forward, really looking forward to eels next week.

 

[jirskyr]

Madge has apparently handled him well

Almost sounds like they’re close now. Multiple times this year madge has talked about how happy he is that Russell got fit and is training well now. Gave him a huge rap in tonight’s press conference

The comment that interested me, was he said "our medical staff spent a long time trying to figure out how to help him, because he couldn't run or train for so long, then they tried out a surgery and it went very well, so he can finally train properly and show us what he's capable of".

And it made me think, this whole time and Packer is being shellacked for his lack of form, but if the guy legit couldn't train for almost 2 seasons, it makes total sense. Then we come out of COVID lockdown and suddenly Packer is his old self again, scrapping around the field.

It's kind of the same as Chris Lawrence, you know what he can be capable of, and people were seemingly expecting him to be back to his best or cut, after having his face smashed open last year.

Because if Packer's actually fit and able to properly contribute he's an ideal candidate for us - experienced, tough, spirited. He's clearly a team player and a motivator, brings good energy. Sometimes that energy is misguided but personally I'd rather have a borderline thug in the team than not, because our forwards pack is usually earnest but rarely feared.

 

[jirskyr]

Packer and Musgrove sharing 80min as enforcers
Aloiai and Mikaele sharing 80min as impact runners
Twal at lock for 60-80min as defensive/workhorse
Blore on the bench to cover lock and 2nd row

Looks very balanced to me

Add Stefano to that pack next year too.... our prop rotation is looking nice for 2021

If both Blore and Stefano do come on, that is the ideal foundation of the pack. Question now is do they bind with Harry Grant 2021 or is Simpkin old enough by then, or does Liddle come good? Or maybe even Billy Walters.

 

[tigerap]

Madge has apparently handled him well

Almost sounds like they’re close now. Multiple times this year madge has talked about how happy he is that Russell got fit and is training well now. Gave him a huge rap in tonight’s press conference

The comment that interested me, was he said "our medical staff spent a long time trying to figure out how to help him, because he couldn't run or train for so long, then they tried out a surgery and it went very well, so he can finally train properly and show us what he's capable of".

And it made me think, this whole time and Packer is being shellacked for his lack of form, but if the guy legit couldn't train for almost 2 seasons, it makes total sense. Then we come out of COVID lockdown and suddenly Packer is his old self again, scrapping around the field.

It's kind of the same as Chris Lawrence, you know what he can be capable of, and people were seemingly expecting him to be back to his best or cut, after having his face smashed open last year.

Because if Packer's actually fit and able to properly contribute he's an ideal candidate for us - experienced, tough, spirited. He's clearly a team player and a motivator, brings good energy. Sometimes that energy is misguided but personally I'd rather have a borderline thug in the team than not, because our forwards pack is usually earnest but rarely feared.

Yep, if he puts in for the rest of 2020 like he did last Friday night, he can stay with the WT up to and beyond his current contract...

 

[TonyTiger]

Packer and Musgrove sharing 80min as enforcers
Aloiai and Mikaele sharing 80min as impact runners
Twal at lock for 60-80min as defensive/workhorse
Blore on the bench to cover lock and 2nd row

Looks very balanced to me

✅✅✅✅✅✅

 

[Speed2burn]

Vs the Parra big boys will tell us if he’s turned a corner. I think it was this game last year he was shocking

 

[Sart0ri]

Packer and Musgrove sharing 80min as enforcers
Aloiai and Mikaele sharing 80min as impact runners
Twal at lock for 60-80min as defensive/workhorse
Blore on the bench to cover lock and 2nd row

Looks very balanced to me

Huth is great cover for Twal, McIntyre is a reasonable backup middle forward and is still developing and Clark is a reliable backup with good defence.

Stefano and Blore are highly rated but yet to prove themselves and will at least put pressure on the guys in front of them.

If Packer keeps playing like last week he provides aggression and leadership that improves the entire pack.