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.
buster
Guest
Yes I focused too much on the potential improvement of the big sides with already established combinations. You're very right in saying there's a lot of improvement in the Panthers due to the fact they're still developing. Im actually a Manly fan but have ny heard earned on Penrith from before the season started so I do like them. I'd really like to see the Panthers do well and even when they were win-loss pre origin I still liked what I saw. Ill reserve too much judgement until they play a big team. I can see them top 5, best of the rest until semis then who knows. If Idris hits his best form I think they will do much better.
Model 67.
Guest
Thanks for the reply buster, you are right, the Eagles, Roosters and Bunnies have not quite hit their straps yet. The percentages are "just my view" and come from observation only and those teams are in the top four. My point is simply that the Panthers' players are in the early stages of developing team cohesion and are I believe not playing anywhere near their potential that more time on the paddock will give them and they are near the top. I do acknowledge that they have had the luck of the draw so far. They have really tough games ahead of them and win or lose will hold them in good stead during the finals. What are your thoughts buster? Cheers!
buster
Guest
And where are those percentages pulled from? Based on what? Manly are yet to feild a full strength team and have been absolutely dreadful in many games the last 7 or 8 weeks. Roosters are only just starting to hit form the last few rounds and South havent had Inglis in the side firing on all cylinders for a good 6 weeks. Yet all sides are in the top 4.
Clark Dobbin
Guest
Souths are perrenial choker so no matter where they finish on the ladder they won't win.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
The Cronulla that beat Penrith was the one time this year that the Sharks actually had most of their big guns on the park. Not sure you can take much away from that game.
Parrafan
Guest
Either way they are enjoyable to watch. Went to both penrith v parra games the second with my brother in law and his mates. Even though we got smacked I still had a great time. When the west is going well it makes League that much better.
Pot Stirrer
Guest
They have a pretty solid side so id say they have as good a chance as anyone.
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
Really they have played well so far, and until they play a few more teams in a row in the top eight, it's hard to work out how the team will respond. Could be like last year where they fell away, or they could become battle hardened and rise to the challenge.
Ben Lott
Roar Pro
Look, as a die-hard Panthers fan, and one who even pays his membership from here in freezing, wet Adelaide without ever being able to attend a game, I can honestly say we are top 8 quality... at best. We may, may i say, just slide into the top 4 based on our draw, and the poor showings from the regular top 4 sides of late, but I don't think we can win it all. Granted, it'd be nice to see them in the GF, and I won't write them off winning it if they do somehow defy the critics, the odds, the draw and biased other fans, but I don't see it happening in 2014. 2015? Possible. 2016? That's about right, I think. Top 8 every year between now and then, with our current side? Definitely.
ron brennan
Guest
i cant pick between manly, storm, they are proffessionals who put in 100% or pretty close every time, problem is a lack of depth if you lose key players, not to mention the rules and their interpretation. i am a casual fan and feel that you people have a highly marketable product, but its not run correctly. too many stupid rules and the scrum you have when your;e not having a scrum. .the nrl should do itself a favour and ask the average person in the street what they think of the game. might shock them out of their arrogance.
Yatayee
Guest
Hardly... I think they have been on the luck side re the draw. The next 4 ganes will show that they are not quite the team that they are yet to become - 2015 will be a big year for them, but this year belongs to either Manly, Roosters or Souths.
Jay h
Guest
Not really wait till the play semi final football up against roosters, manly , Souths, bulldogs see how they get on
KB
Guest
They are a top 8 team...at best. It doesn't really matter anyway, because when it comes down to two teams left on GF day..It'll be Chooks V Storm. ChooksBACK2BACK
The Barry
Roar Guru
I haven't heard many people within or outside of the media 'in awe' of Penrith or tipping them to win the comp. Most commentary says they are playing well, have had a remarkably easy draw to date and there's an asterisk against there premiership credentials as a result.
Model 67.
Guest
Interesting article and fair comments but if I can ask a question and make a observation. Can the Eagles play any better than they have so far this season, maybe 5%. Roosters, maybe 20%. Bunnies, maybe 15%. Dogs, no. Others? The Panthers have 7 new players in the team this year, including a new halves combination and 5 new arrivals last year, ie a brand new team with only 6 to 18 months playing time together. Can the Panthers play any better than they have so far this season, bloody oath, I would say 50%. They have had the luck of the draw so far and face some very tough games to come. They may not win the comp this year but will win another premiership sooner rather than later. Just my view.
gary ayrton
Guest
Lets get serious, they have not lost any players to rep games, when the other teams get back to full strength penrith will struggle
Johnk
Guest
Will they make it to the finals? Most definitely. Will they win it all? I say a very strong no. Roosters, Souths and Manly looking quite strong to make the top 4 with the Doggies dropping off abit. But the team I'm guessing to round off the top 4 is, you guessed it, Melbourne. The Storm have a good run from here on (with obvious exception the last origin period). Cronk is also due to return in about 4 - 5 weeks just after origin. Unfortunately we will have to wait till rounds 24 and 25 (way too late) when the Panthers face Melbourne and Manly respectively to gauge their premiership credentials.
Lachlan Bickley
Roar Guru
Not sure I agree that many are tipping them to lift the trophy - the bookies still have them as sixth favourites despite their position on the ladder. Can't help but feel that this team is not dissimilar to the 2010 Panthers team which finished second on the ladder then went out in straight sets to the Raiders and Roosters