Canterbury skipper Michael Ennis is still wary of a Panthers side written off by many as a premiership contender following the end of season injury to playmaker Peter Wallace.
He believes Penrith have been playing finals-style football for much of the year and that they’ll bring that force on Friday night.
The Bulldogs host Penrith at ANZ Stadium in round 21 of the NRL in a match that’s certain to have a significant bearing on the make-up of the top eight.
Both sides are coming off two successive losses and know they need to quickly rediscover form six weeks out from the NRL finals.
“The Panthers have played that semi-final type of footy for the majority of the year and I think when the big games come around at the back of the year they certainly will be right in the fight,” Ennis said.
“For Penrith their forward pack has been outstanding all year, (Jamie) Soward knows how to place the ball in the corner, his kicking game is outstanding, and Matthew Moylan has been enormous all year.
“They have some strike right across the park and no doubt Friday night is going to be a tough grinding affair.”
Ennis said he felt for Wallace.
“Peter Wallace has had an awesome year for them, so that is disappointing,” he said.
“I know Pete too and to see him pick up a knee injury on the back of the form he has had is really disappointing.
“I hope he recovers well.”
james t
Guest
Bulldogs 13+ no doubt about it.
The Barry
Guest
Thanks max. I agree with everything you said about Perrett, I just think you need more from your 1 these days than solid and reliable. I probably wouldn't risk lafai at fullback at the moment but I think he could make a fist of it. He has the footwork, pace and now the strength.
JayBob
Guest
Not much has been made of it indeed. Clearly Wallis is better than those 7 players combined because that's all I've heard this week.
nerval
Guest
The Bulldogs are nowhere near the form they showed the year before last. They played a brilliant brand of football and looked set to defeat Melbourne in the Grand Final - except they failed to perform when it mattered most. Quite frankly, this year, I'm surprised they're as far up the ladder as they are. They look unconvincing to me and I don't think they really believe they've got what it takes. The Panthers to take this one.
up in the north
Guest
I'd say the Panthers are pretty well cooked for 2014, but hey, they've had a huge crack at it this year -when a lot of pundits didn't give them much credit- and they're looking unreal for year 2 in their 5 year plan. As for the Dogs, well they've got to win don't they? Two lame floggings in as many weeks. I'd be really interested to see how Morris goes at fullback too, but it's maybe because he isn't playing centre that they dropped the last two games.?
MAX
Guest
Hello to The Barry, Morris, Lafai and Brown seem more comfortable and produce their best at centre or wing though Morris could play prop to full back if needed. Perrett ain't no Les Johns but he is honest, courageous and reliable. He is primed for this one. Stanley is due back R22? I just can't see him in #1 at this vital stage of the season. Corey Thompson reads the game well and has that 'something' which tells me if we are to experiment at this time of the season he may be the answer.
Fairy fairfax
Roar Rookie
Seems to me that Morris might make a good job out of FB position. He has the youth (?), experience, the size and definitely the speed.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Tolman has been missed. He provides a lot of stability in the middle and our bench looks much better with Big Sam there and O'Hanlon or Maitua 18th man. Klemmer back this week also. Dogs have been without Reynolds, Morris, Tolman, Klemmer, Pritchard, Perrett, Stanley for most of the last 6 weeks. Not much has been made of this. I'm still worried about fullback. Perrett and Brown have been solid but nothing more. We need more spark from the fullback position - at times against the Tigers and Cowboys you wonder where the next point is going to come from. What do you fellas think about putting a Morris, Stanley or even Lafai at 1 to provide something from the back.
MAX
Guest
Penrith's misfortune to have Peter Wallace gone for the season may determine the Top 4 order. and be instrumental in Canterbury remaining therein. Great to have Josh Reynolds back. Aiden and Josh have already returned once too soon. I agree that their late inclusion would strengthen our chances. Instinct tells me another week off for both will be rewarded later in the season.
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
Dogs will make it hard just be having both halves back, and playing on the correct sides of the field. Reynolds is great at getting the boys pumped on the field, and his support play in general will see us score at least one extra try a match. I'm hoping that Tolman and Morris are late inclusions into the team, as those two would really see us have the Panthers on the back foot most of the game.
Jarryd
Guest
Panthers will rebound, they'll win the next 3, lose to Melbourne and Manly, then thrash the Warriors to secure, most likely, 3rd. I'm not saying this as an optimist, but as a realist, we need to get back to the basics, defence, right-side attack (good to have Simmons back) and mid-field tackling (Plum and Docker spring to mind). Get all this corrected, and we'll be in the mix for the premiership. Also, congrats to Will Smith on his impending debut, Penrith's new MAN IN BLACK!