Half way through the season, we have the Penrith Panthers leading the competition. Who would have thought this was possible when predictions were made at the start of the year?
I had high expectations for the boys from the foot of the mountains at the start of the season and I expected them to finish the year in the top eight. What I didn’t expect is that they would be doing so well so quickly.
Looking at their draw for the remainder of the season I expect them to qualify around fourth or fifth, but do they have what it takes to challenge for the premiership come September?
>> Expert reaction the Queensland’s Origin team for Game 2
>> Expert reaction the New South Wales’ Origin team for Game 2
Eight games into the season and Penrith were sitting on four wins, following a win, loss, win, loss pattern from Round 1. A fifty per cent winning ratio is nothing to write home about and no one was really mentioning them.
Just over a month later and four wins on the trot (and a bye) has catapulted them to the top of the ladder. While this is a very impressive result, I believe it can be very deceiving. This idea came to me when thinking of the Panthers’ recent opponents. They seem to be playing teams like Canberra, Newcastle or the Gold Coast every week and there have been few top of the table blockbusters.
Analyse the draw a bit more and you can see that Penrith have avoided games against the competition heavyweights. For arguments sake, I have identified five teams as being the cream of the crop due to their strong rosters and ability to continue to threaten for the premiership.
They are last year’s top four of Melbourne, Manly, Souths and the Roosters, as well as the Bulldogs. Of these five teams, Penrith have only played them three times this year, for a win and two losses. They went down to the Storm in Round 2 before beating the Bulldogs the following week (both in nailbiters) and were easily accounted for by Souths in Round 6.
Compare this to the two games each they have played against Canberra and Newcastle (for four wins) and one game against Cronulla, which they lost.
I’m not saying the Penrith can’t beat the good teams, just that they are yet to prove so. They don’t get much of a chance to until late in the season either as they only have the Roosters (Round 19), Bulldogs (21), Melbourne (24) and Manly (25) in the back half of the draw.
The game against the Storm will be a big one in particular, as the Storm should be pushing to improve their position on the ladder after a tough Origin period. Season 2010 saw the Panthers qualify for the finals in second place before being bundled out after two consecutive losses.
They will be hoping to put up more of a fight this time around.
Gus Gould has done a great job at the foot of the mountains, cleaning out the club and turning them into finals contenders once again. They have recruited excellently, bringing in the right amount of experience and youth over the last couple of years. This is complemented with the emergence of several local juniors, such as Matt Moylan.
This is Gould’s third year of involvement with Penrith and I’m starting to believe that his five-year plan may be spot on. This season may just prove to be a couple of years too soon, but the Panthers area headed in the right direction.
Clark
Guest
People are also quick to forget that Soward is a premiership winning half, people should be aware of what he is capable of.
Clark
Guest
Mate, you couldn't be more correct. The articles he writes whinging about the Qld team apparently whinging is nothing short of pathetic. That is why I prefer to read the articles by Mascord etc from the Herald.
The RiffMarn
Guest
Their second half draw suggests to me that they can finish on 34-36 points 7 or 8 wins + bye & finish in the top 4
ron brennan
Guest
some results so far, round 4 eels 32 panthers 16. i saw this on the fri night and seriously the eels blue this mob off the park [with hayne], round 5 panthers 12 raiders 6 [ in the wet], round 6 panthers 2 rabbitohs 18,again souths blew them away, round 7 panthers 14 titans 12, round 8 sharks 24 panthers 20, [sharks played well that night with from memory wade graham [ex panther] in the halves], round 10 raiders 20 panthers 26. its all too easy to keep the fans happy by throwing up the line, "we are in a long term rebuilding phase."
Trenno
Guest
You may not want him, but Gus does and Gus generally gets what he wants.
Ben Lott
Roar Pro
Sounds like people are doing what they did, and saying virtually word-for-word what they said, back in 2003 about Penrith. Write them off at your own risk. For mine, Melbourne won't make the 8 this year, and Penrith will finish in the Top 5, 3rd-5th for me. Everyone claiming the so far headless chooks will win it again are a bit off the pace, the Doggies for the Minor Premiership, Manly 2nd, and Penny, Rooters and Bunnies rounding up the next 3, in no order.
Ben Lott
Roar Pro
Newcastle or the Bunnies can have him, we don't want Sims at the 'Riff.
Jimmy Korpun nem
Guest
Lets not forget Tigers premership na d Rise of Hayne plane paras who went one sort. this game is about momentum and pride and when penrith is Building towards that,here my friend is suggesting otherwise. Melbourne is goneeeeee. you don't need big name players to win games just like Tigers did, Penrith will go to Top four and will scare the shit out of everyone.
Trenno
Guest
Lichaa falls into the same category. I would hate to be a Sharkies supporter watching the up and coming talent being pushed out to accommodate has-been's. I can see a time soon when they will end up like Fitzroy in the AFL, a feeder team for an out of state team. Sad.
Nick Inatey
Guest
26 points should make the 8 this year. They have another bye due. They only need to win 3 more games. Panthers are finals bound...week 2 most likely. They will consolidate over the next month due to no origin commitments.
john badseed
Guest
Did the Tiger Sharks pick up their yesterdays heroes for free or did their recruitment officer not realise what everyone else saw in young Peach?
Trenno
Guest
Penrith are plodding thru nicely, similar to 2003. The success their back 3 are having mirrors the 2003 team when Lewis, Rooney and Wesser were at the back. They are pretty solid across the park, Peachey is now showing his star quality. Will be interesting to see what transpires between the Cowboys and the Panthers in regards to Tariq Sims. Cowboys are begrudgingly willing to release Sims to Penrith but want a quality player from the Panthers ranks as retribution. The player the Cowboys want is Tyrone Peachey but there is no way Penrith will let him go. Tariq is pushing for a June 30 release so this could all come to a head this week. Penrith would be fools to miss out on Sims, but how do they tell one of their own they are being transferred to Townsville when they are currently on top of the table? Interesting times ahead. Watch this space...
Kingcowboy
Guest
His mate the Bulldog is almost as bad. I would hope a majority of people would understand that they are just looking for a reaction but if this is going to be the journalistic standard going forward, i have grave fears about our future.
Clark
Guest
The article about Gallen being a future immortal was a bit of a laught
BA Sports
Guest
I agree with that John. They rarely put a score on, rather concentrate or playing the percentages with a good kicking game. Soward is leading the league in his kicks to open space. The Dragons team was probably better (man-for-man) with more experienced players but similar in that there wasn't really any susperstars. The positive for the Panthers is that they have lots of young talent and we only have to look at the Dragons side now to see they didn't have the same planning going on... I think Moylan will fizzle out (i think he has already started to) but there is heaps of good talent in that side as well as their NSW Cup and 20's team. Not only will they make the 8 this year, they should be in the Top 8 for the next 5 years minimum
john badseed
Guest
I'm a fan of both the Pennys and the Eels and if the unthinkable happens and Manly miss the big dance I'd love to see them play the GF. Both these teams play an exhilarating brand of footy with solid ball playing forwards and exciting back lines. Most importantly the players look like they enjoy their footy. Watched young Peach destroying opposition teams at NSW Cup level last year and believe he will be a Blue before too long. What I also find enjoyable about these 2 teams is that they do not rely on the favouritism shown to the 'big four' to graft out a win. They go into matches knowing they have to win on their own merits. At present they are the pride of the odious NRL. While a title to Souths would not disappoint (for old times sake) I would love to see one of the battlers from the west bring a whole new generation of fans into the Rugby League fold. I can take a Manly loss if I feel it is deserved. Hopefully the NRL has had it's fingers burnt enough to prevent them staging a repeat of last year. Go the Chocos, go Parra. Get RL back on it's feet.
Parrafan
Guest
Rothfield will right a glowing article about his good mate Ricky Stuart. The bias is at another level in the tele.
Parrafan
Guest
Penrith will definitely make the 8 this year. With their draw I can see them winning at the very least 7 from their last 12. 7 wins plus another bye will put them on 34 points which should see them in the top 6 or top 4. I really like the panthers. With Wallace leading them around the park, Soward needs only pass and kick and we all know he can do that well. Segeyaro is playing really well and looks to become a full time starting hooker. Tyrone Peachy is a beast as well, and their isn't much more you can say about Mansour and Moylan that hasn't been said. It's a team full of solid first graders rather than one or two stand out players. Cleary has recruited and coached well, and having one of the most profitable clubs doesn't hurt either. Penrith should make the top 4 and from there anything is possible.
The eye
Guest
No superstars,but very solid right across the park..big,fast three quarters,great kicking game..good mix of speed,bulk,youth and experience in the pack.This team is good enough to worry them all..and theres depth there too.
Spiritfree
Guest
Er....."Gus Gould has done a great job..." I'm sorry, but this article doesn't even mention the team's coach, Ivan Cleary........ Nice analysis of the easier run of matches, Louis, but.