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Much has been said about the Panthers and their standing among the top four in recent weeks, with mainstream media and rugby league identities in awe of the Western Sydney club.
Many are tipping them as favourites to lift the Provan-Summons trophy come October 5.
If you’re joint leaders of the NRL competition after Round 15, sitting on 22 points and three wins away from the widely accepted 28-point cutoff for finals footy, you must be doing something right, right?
No doubt Penrith have an impressive record this season, leading the NRL on points conceded (204), with nine wins from 13 games.
They’ve won their last five out of five, with their last loss coming against whipping boys Cronulla.
Wait, Cronulla? Cronulla have only managed two wins this season, with one being against Penrith in Round 8, where they recorded a 24-20 point victory at Remondis Stadium.
Since that loss, Penrith have defeated Newcastle, Canberra, Parramatta, Gold Coast and the Dragons. Four out of these five teams sit outside the top eight, while three of these four sit at the bottom of the ladder.
Penrith have managed two wins against teams within the current top eight, one against the Bulldogs at home in Round 3, where they won 18-16, and the other against a Jarryd Hayne-less Eels in Round 12, where they smacked their rivals 38-12.
Against Melbourne in Round 2, Penrith went down by one point at AAMI Park, and and were kept try-less against Souths in their 18-2 loss at Sportingbet in Round 6.
Let’s also not forget that the Eels drew first blood, defeating them in their first clash of the season 32-16 in Round 4.
So, all in all, Penrith have lost three games to current top-eight opponents, and one to the whipping boys of this season.
So, when it’s broken down, does Penrith’s record look premiership worthy?
Nevertheless, they have played who they have been drawn, and won the games which they more than likely should have. You can only play who you’re drawn to play. The run home will be an interesting one for the Panthers.
Next week in Round 16, they face a difficult away trip in the form of the sporadic Warriors, who are coming off a win against the Broncos.
Three weeks later, they will face the reigning premiers the Roosters, who are beginning to hit their straps, at Allianz Stadium.
Round 21 will see them face the Bulldogs at ANZ, while their last three matches will see them face the Storm and Warriors at home and Manly at Brookvale.
Within the last 11 rounds, they will face a much sterner challenge than what they have already. As the intensity of footy increases teams will be throwing everything to collect two points and claim a spot in the eight.
Penrith have a well publicised five-year plan, outlined by Phil Gould, and the youthful exuberance seen throughout their line-up will see Penrith supporters excited for years to come.
It would surprise many if they managed to win the competition this season, but with their rather soft draw and challenging run home, they’re going to come face to face and with the more experienced teams who will put them to the sword in the latter stages of the competition.
But hey, this is footy. Anything can happen.
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