Penrith believe the late signing of Jamal Idris will be as important to their premiership ambitions as Michael Jennings was to the Sydney Roosters’ grand final heroics last year.
It was the Panthers who cut ties with NSW star Jennings less than two months before the start of the 2013 NRL season, allowing the Roosters to unexpectedly bolster their squad ahead of their successful tilt at the title.
Now it’s Penrith who have landed a prized representative centre in Idris at the eleventh hour, and in a roundabout way filled the void left by Jennings.
The Panthers may have decided at the time they needed to cut Jennings loose for a combination of personality and financial reasons, but the reality is his departure robbed them of a key attacking strike-weapon out wide.
Jennings’ partnership with the Roosters worked because both needed one another – the player a fresh start and the club a game-breaker.
The Roosters won the competition and Jennings returned to Origin and Test football.
Penrith coach Ivan Cleary hopes Idris – a player yet to reach his full potential – and Penrith – a club on the rise – can also prove a perfect match.
“I think Jamal is exactly what we need,” Cleary told AAP.
“It’s a really good fit for both Jamal and the club and in that sense it’s probably a similar thing to Michael Jennings, where he was a good fit for the Roosters and they were probably a good fit for him as well.
“Hopefully we can see that with Jamal.
“I think in his personal life he’s happy to be back in Sydney with his family.”
After suffering a sickening ankle injury last year, Idris has come from the Gold Coast a little behind the rest of his Penrith teammates in regards to fitness, but the 1.92 metre giant is on the right path under the tutelage of veteran trainer Ron Palmer.
Idris has been tried in the second row before, including at State of Origin level for the Blues.
But despite the Panthers’ rich depth in the backline, Idris’ power, size and strength will be utilised by Cleary in the position where he cut his teeth at Canterbury back in 2008.
“We’re looking at him for the centres,” said Cleary.
“He’s a footballer so he’ll play wherever he needs to. But I think he’s going to give us some strike power in the centres and be a really good addition.”
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