Penrith’s incredible rise to the top of the NRL ladder has been tempered by the news that playmaker Peter Wallace could miss the rest of the season with an ankle injury.
Wallace limped off early in the Panthers’ 26-10 win over Wests Tigers at Leichhardt Oval on Sunday and was diagnosed with a syndesmosis injury.
The former Brisbane halfback was sent for scans, the result of which should be known on Monday, but early diagnosis has him out for between six and 12 weeks.
With nine rounds before the NRL finals a worse case scenario could all but rule him out for the season depending on how far the Panthers advance into the finals, in a significant blow to their title hopes.
“We are going to have to cross our fingers and hope for the best, but I don’t think it is too good,” Panthers coach Ivan Cleary said.
“Hopefully he will only miss a few weeks.”
Tyrone Peachey moved into the Panthers halves alongside Jamie Soward in the absence of Wallace and he looms as a likely replacement.
The win pushed Penrith to the top of the NRL ladder on 24 points alongside Manly and Canterbury after 17 rounds but ahead on for and against. In one of the closest competitions in years, only six points separate first and 11th.
Matt Moylan starred for the Panthers, scoring a try and having a hand in three others and he looms as a key figure in a Penrith side without Wallace in the lead-up to the finals.
“Wal will be a big loss if he is out, but hopefully it won’t be too bad,” Moylan said.
Cronulla are still likely to look outside the club for Peter Sharp’s replacement as caretaker coach over the remainder of the season despite fill-in James Shepherd overseeing their dramatic 30-28 win over premiers the Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium on Saturday.
The embattled club fought their way back from 24-0 to record just their fourth win of the year, their biggest comeback victory coming a week after their 22-point come-from-behind effort against Brisbane.
Sharks boss Steve Noyce indicated to AAP that Shepherd was unlikely to get the gig fulltime before the return of the suspended Shane Flanagan in September.
“When we were looking at the circumstances we wanted someone who could come right in and do the job and I identified Tim Sheens as someone like that,” Noyce said.
“But he turned it down and we are in no rush to fill the position.
“James did a very good job and like (football manager) Darren Mooney, he is an important part of what we do.”
St George Illawarra earned a 27-24 win over North Queensland at Kogarah Oval in Reg Gasnier’s tribute match.
The Cowboys are now 0-7 in Sydney this year.
In the absence of NSW Origin starter Trent Hodkinson, Tony Williams starred as the game’s biggest halfback in Canterbury’s upset 23-16 win over a below-par Manly at ANZ Stadium on Friday night.
James Graham was also key in the Bulldogs win after Aiden Tolman left the field early in the first half with a hamstring injury.
South Sydney and Gold Coast play the final match of the round at ANZ Stadium on Monday night.
Albo
Guest
Jarryd, That's probably the way they will go, as you suggest. My biggest concern is the potential loss of their defensive pattern that has been working so well for them, and which revolves around Wallace organising that line and mopping up everything especially on that right hand edge ! I am not sure Soward or Peachey will be able to cover that role as effectively, and it may need some rethinking of the pattern. As an attacking option it is less of an issue for me, and they should add a bit of flair there, just as long as their kicking and passing game still works effectively, and the likes of Whare, Idris, Moylan & Mansour are kept in the game ! Because they too are firing well ! Not sure about the captain role ? The whole team are pretty much a bunch of quiet unassuming types ( even Wallace) unlikely to be fighting each other for the captains job. Whilst Kite would have the respect of his team mates he doesn't spend a long time on the park and he is pretty mellow type too. So perhaps Soward should be given the responsibility ? I think he is the type that needs to be prodded with some responsibility to bring out his best, as long as he has the team are with him ?
Jarryd
Guest
@Albo, as a diehard Panthers fan, I agree, it won't be easy to cover the loss of Wallace. My immediate policy would be to play Soward in the 7 and have Peachey at 6, Soward can do all the kicking, while Peachey will run on the edge and set up his outside men. The real issue is captaincy, I'd give it to Kite, he is well-spoken in the media conferences and all the players respect him, maybe he could co-captain alongside Soward, who would bark the majority of the orders on-field. Get the issue sorted out quickly, then Penrith can keep rolling along.
Albo
Guest
Yep ! A disaster for Penrith at this point of the season with the team ticking along so well ! With Wallace running his team of virtual "no names" around the park with a calm precision, and covering up most of their lapses in defence, he will be sorely missed. His loss will be most felt in the organising of the Panthers defence, where he has single handedly been responsible for the massive defensive improvement in this team, and has been key to their improved position on the ladder this year. I am really not sure they have an able replacement to keep these things in check going towards the finals ! Can Jamie Soward assume the full general's role ? Not sure there is anyone in the lower grades ready to step up after Isaac John was ruled out for the year ? Perhaps Moylan could move to the halves ? He has the head & the hands for it but not sure he can handle the increased defensive load ? Maybe Peachey continues on from Sunday's replacement role ?