Veteran recruit Brent Kite believes Penrith are primed to stake a claim among the NRL premiership heavyweights.
Kite, who signed with the Panthers after two premierships in nine years at Manly, sees similarities to the Sea Eagles when he joined them in 2005 but reckons the Panthers are significantly further advanced.
The former Test frontrower believes fellow new boys Jamie Soward and Peter Wallace are set to give the Panthers the direction they need from the halves to scale the ladder after their 10th place last season.
“Manly was a club possibly on the way up when I went there,” Kite said.
“Dessie (Des Hasler) was recruiting well and the club was going forward and I think with Gus (football boss Phil Gould) and Ives (coach Ivan Cleary) at the helm, here, they’re definitely heading in the right direction.
“There’s some real good young talent. They’ve bought really well in the halves (with Soward and Wallace) so I think they are probably a couple of years ahead of where Manly was.
“We didn’t really have an established half and then a couple of years later Matty Orford came along and we got all the pieces of the puzzle together.
“I think here at Penrith, without putting too much pressure on the guys, there’s really no position we’re lacking in and there seems to be plenty of depth so we want to get out of the box really well and give it a good shake.”
Kite was squeezed out of Manly at the end of 2013 because of salary-cap pressures but the 2008 Clive Churchill medallist is excited about the move.
He said the new scrum-base partnership of former NSW Origin players Soward and Wallace was already gelling seamlessly at training.
“I’ve been very impressed with Jamie Soward and Peter Wallace,” he said. “They’ve got kicking games that other clubs would be envious of.
“Jamie has a bit of flair and there’s the steadying role from Pete, so I think they’re a good mix.”
The 32-year-old is relishing playing a mentoring role and has a huge opinion of fellow frontrowers Tim Grant and Sam McKendry, as well as youngsters such as rising fullback Matt Moylan and former Manly teammate Dean Whare.
Kite said he felt reinvigorated by the move west.
“That old saying `a change is as good as a holiday’ is certainly true.
“You come to a new club and you want to impress and you can see the potential in the team,” he said.
“It’s pretty exciting to be part of all that where a team goes from outside the top eight to possibly well inside the top eight and continues to improve.”
Kite is also full or praise for Cleary.
“Ives is great. He’s certainly got a cool head on his shoulders and I’m really impressed with the way he sticks by his team win, lose or draw.
“I’ve had an eye on him at press conferences and he never really bags the players. He seems like a very loyal sort of coach and everyone that plays under him seems to like him.
“I like his approach to the game. He’s not rigid, I suppose. He’s open to guys… he encourages guys to think and learn.”
Haz
Guest
I agree they have top 4 potential. I don't think it'll hinge on their pack--it looks very solid. The real question will hinge around their halves: will the Soward/Wallace combination be greater, or less than the sum of its parts? Will they gel with Cleary's coaching and game plans? Will the actually make plays, or bomb them?
Leaguegirl
Guest
Penrith will definitely be competitive this year. They'll need to be for that wooden spoon. Am I the only one who thinks Jamie Soward is overrated? His kicking game is ordinary at best IMO. Peter Wallace's best years are behind him the Broncos IMO. Hope they prove me wrong. ST xxx
Devout Saint
Guest
I believe Penrith oh sorry the No Name Panthers are the biggest hype team of the year. Personally I don't see what all the hype is about. Besides They do have a solid squad with some exciting young outside backs. they have few young back rowers with big wraps on them. There front row rotation looks strong. But their halves are very poor. Wallace is too bland, basic and lacks flair. While Soward is too scared of any physical contact. They are going to be relying on Wallace to do all of their play making because Soward isn't a playmaker. I have them bottom 4. If they did have a good pair of halves to build their team around they would look a lot more promising.
Devout Saint
Guest
I agree with you Marlon on your last post.
Marldon
Guest
My point exactly Victoria.
Marldon
Guest
I am entitled to my opinion and it hasn't changed. I believe that the media has bulled up cherry since his debut. I believe that he is good even very good but he is NOT the best half in the world. He might get there one day but not right now.
Blue
Guest
Manlyman101: I don't support Manly so can't be accused of bias, but DCE is definitely the best halfback in Australia. Cronk is very much overrated and if I were Mal, I'd put DCE at 7. DCE plays what's in front of him and can stick to a game plan or use his own instinct. I think Cronk is a structured player and as soon as the plan's out of the window, he struggles a bit. Regarding Penrith, I think top 4 is not out of the question. They have a pack to match any team, decent solid reliable halfbacks, a potent back 3 and if Idris fires, a world class centre partnership between him and Whare. Prediction: Roosters Cowboys Storm Panthers Manly Rabbits Warriors/Dragons Doggies Knights Raiders Cronulla ( off field with affect them) Tigers Eels (will improve) Titans Broncos (wouldn't that be great)
manlyman101
Guest
Are you the same marldon that stated cherry Evans is overrated? And third best half back.. who to you is better? And have u seen the kid play or his stats.. he is the best half in the world
Victoria Liu-Pearson
Roar Guru
Sounds like PR talk to be honest. Any new recruit anywhere has to be positive eand say all the right things. Proof will come in their infield performances. Glad they are positive but until the on-field results come then they can talk
DSF
Guest
Ivan Cleary is a great coach and will have these guys humming, I expect them to finish top 4 and push the storm out of the big 4.
Marldon
Guest
A way to go yet I think. Pre-season, clubs are always full of it, how good they are looking, how well they have recruited, how this is going to be their year in fact so much so that I believe that many of the players actually believe their own B.S. Then the season starts ........... and reality dawns.