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The only good thing that Penrith coach Matthew Elliott can take away from his sides’ 38-34 win against the Eels on Sunday, besides the two competition points, is the knowledge that star centre Michael Jennings once again thrust himself into Origin calculations with a man of the match performance that has put the Panthers inside the top eight.
Jennings scored a hat-trick of tries, whilst also setting up the match winner to give the Panthers a victory in a game that hardly made do with the aspect of Rugby League that really wins matches – defence.
Both the Panthers and the Eels were guilty of conceding some of the softest tries seen this season, in a match that proved critical to the chances of both sides contesting for a place in the finals.
Penrith forward Tim Grant scored the first try of the afternoon, barging over from close range despite the presence of three Eels defenders.
Origin winger Jarryd Hayne then returned the favour for the Eels after halftime, brushing aside a weak attempt from Wade Graham to draw the match at 22 all.
The defensive lapses continued from both sides, as Panthers lock Nathan Smith wrestled past three defenders to score a determined try which really should have been stopped.
It seemed both teams did everything in the end to give up the two competition points, such was the lack of intensity defending the pill.
Despite the Panthers scoring what was the match winning try in the 76th minute of the contest, the Eels still found themselves in with a great chance to snare a win, courtesy of regathering a short kick-off.
Hayne leapt brilliantly above the pack to regather Luke Burt’s kick to provide the Eels with what should have been a definitive say in the contest.
Instead, Eels forward Fui Fui Moi Moi arguably provided one of the biggest brain snaps seen in season 2009, offloading the football on the first tackle just ten metres out from Penrith’s line with barely two minutes remaining, only to lose possession.
The Panthers in the end did well enough to hold on to secure a victory that currently places them in a position for September footy.
But judging from their defensive inadequacies against the Eels, it appears they will be merely there to make up the numbers.
That statement however may change thanks to the blossoming return to football by centre Michael Jennings.
In his first game back since injuring himself in the first State of Origin match at Etihad stadium, Jennings instantly re-captured his try scoring prowess to guide the Panthers home.
Not only did he score three tries, his try assist that allowed debut winger Junior Tia-Kilifi to score the winner, testified why he should find himself back in a Blues jersey in two weeks time.
Jennings received the ball out wide, and immediately beat opposing centre Joel Reddy, who is usually a very sound defender, for pace.
In the same movement, he also forced winger Eric Grothe to come in and open up a passage for Jennings to pass the ball to Kilifi for the match winner.
It was a play that solidified Jennings’ status as not only the most influential player for the Panthers, but one that should grow to be one of the Blues most important, if the selectors themselves chose to once again return to their youth policy after failing with experienced heads in Origin two.