It wasn’t the best start to Trent Merrin’s career as a Panther but the star signing said there were plenty of positives despite the loss, with a short turnaround before the Panthers’ first home game against the Bulldogs this coming Thursday night.
“It wasn’t the result we wanted but it was definitely the style of play we are looking at playing,” Merrin said.
“It was definitely a great effort by all the boys, it just the little things that we know and touched on already (since full time) that didn’t go our way today.”
Merrin felt Penrith were the better side despite the scores being level at half-time but said poor execution in the second half proved costly in the end.
“It was great to come in equal at half-time,” Merrin explained.
“We all stayed composed and we knew how we needed to get the job done and I think we were the better team.”
“It’s just that we didn’t execute at the crucial points of the game (during the second half).”
Merrin confirmed that the loss of James Segeyaro with a likely broken arm after 55 minutes proved costly as the Panthers lost direction in attack with his absence.
“Yeah it was (costly), he’s a crucial part of this team so to take a blow like that really hurt us,” the representative forward stated.
“But in saying that we’ve got a lot of depth in the team for someone to come in, step up and take on the role.”
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Merrin despite the loss, was reasonably happy with his game whereby he churned out 165 metres from 15 runs, made 26 tackles, produced one off-load and broke the line to score his second try at GIO Stadium in consecutive seasons.
“I think whenever a front-rower crosses the line they’re due a bit of luck there,” Merrin said.
“Chicko (James Segeyaro) put it on the spot and I was just glad to score my first try in a Panthers jersey.”
Merrin echoed the thoughts of coach Anthony Griffin and skipper Peter Wallace that the heat combined with the introduction of shot clocks, was not a factor in Penrith’s demise today.
“It’s always tough playing in the heat but it’s about 40 degrees in Penrith anyway so I thought we handled it pretty well,” Merrin exclaimed.
“It was definitely hard to play Round 1 in heat like that but it’s great just to get our first proper hit out of the way.”
Despite the loss, Merrin says there are plenty of positives to take into the clash against the Bulldogs.
“I thought we were the better team but it’s just that a lot of things that we did today we beat ourselves,” Merrin confirmed.
“We can take a lot of confidence out of that performance today if we touch up on those areas at training and I’m sure we’ll put on a good performance against the Doggies.”
Merrin acknowledged the Bulldogs however will pose a tough test for the Panthers after their big first up win over Manly last night.
“They’re always a tough team to come up against,” Merrin said.
“They have a big forward pack and they played awesome last night so they’ll be champing at the bit to come out but we’ve got to do our homework, get the bodies right and come prepared.”
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Guest
I know we love our rugby league but is the beginning of March two weeks too early for the start of the season? I keep seeing this ad that shows the AFL doesn't start for another 20 days! Absolutely horrible conditions at Bruce Stadium on Saturday - for players and spectators. They reckon it was 40 degrees out on the ground and 35 in the stands. I pitied the mob watching on the Eastern side who were looking directly in to the sun. And no drinks break after 20 minutes! The poor new pommy Elliot Whitehead looked smashed at the end of the game - what an introduction to NRL. Not sure how he managed to play 80 minutes. Will be interesting to see how Stuart covers the loss of both Sezer and Austin. Perhaps Hodgson in to the halves and Baptiste to hooker.
DingoGray
Roar Guru
Clearly Sally not seeing Trent for his Smarts as this is one of the Dumbest things I've ever heard. Can understand a loss in Golden Point or a try on a bell knocking you off, but Canberra were the better side. To claim otherwise is as others have pointed out highly offensive and disrespectful to the opposition.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I didnt think much of Hodgson at the start of last season but he grew on me quickly and was brilliant by seasons end and as you say looks to have improved again. FPN didn't have to do anything other than catch the pass. It was all Hodgson's positioning and timing that got him through. Yeah - I feel for the Panthers even though theyre up against the Bulldogs. They will be doing it very tough on a five day turnaround following those conditions. The Dogs have six days and playerd their game at night.
Lachlan Bickley
Roar Guru
That was a spectacular run from Frank-Paul and as you say a wonderful set-up from Hodgson. I was pretty excited about Hodgson last year but already between the trial and Round One he looks like he's gotten better. Pretty scrappy game really in brutal conditions. I find it truly amazing that the schedule makes the Panthers back up on five days rest and makes the Raiders play another game in the afternoon. At this time of year no team should be playing back to back afternoon games and no team should be backing up from an afternoon game on only five days rest.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Good, tough, close game. To come out and say "we were the better team" after losing you'd want to be pretty sure of it. Plenty to build on for both teams. Hodgson, Wighton and Sezer were awesome. Hodgson set up a line break for FPN in the first half that was exquisite. Ran out of dummy half, timed his pass and run so that he drew both the marker AND the first defender in the line. FPN strolled through untouched.
The eye
Guest
Fair enough..but what Merrin said had nothing to do with what I was responding to..
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Guest
I'm not delusional. Merrin is delusional. I'm not saying one set of forwards dominated the other. The game was hard fought and there wasn't much in it in the end. Both teams and both sets of supporters know that. But one side stood up to be counted when the game was on the line and it was the Raiders who wanted it more. For a losing player say that we were the better side but lost it ourselves is just ridiculously disrespectful and delusional.
The eye
Guest
Both sets of forwards were good neither rode roughshod over the other,if you think they did ..you werent watching the game..you cant say Austins injury affected the Raiders and ignore Segeyaro's who were in front when he left..Raiders were deserved winners,but it wasnt due to 'forward domination'..thats all I'm saying..good win but dont get delusional..
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Guest
Frank Paul Nuuausala was very good as were Jeff Lima, Sean Fensom, Josh Papallii and Sia Soliola up front for the Raiders. If you didn't see that you weren't watching the game. Merrin is kidding himself if he thinks Penrith were the better team. Talking about beating themselves gives no credit to the quality of the opposition. The Raiders dug deep and wanted to win more than the Panthers. When Austin was fit and with Sezer playing well the Raiders were well in front in the first 30 minutes. Austin's injury took a lot out of the Raiders attack. Credit to the Panthers for getting back into the game but credit also to the Raiders to come back from 22-16 and win 30-22. I thought Cartright and Soward were really dangerous for the Panthers. Good tight match and plenty of positives for both teams. Fingers crossed that the injuries to Austin and Sezer aren't as bad as feared.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
The Panthers forwards missed far too many tackles.
The eye
Guest
Not sure who's defending Merrin...the Panther forwards weren't dominated in that game..nor were Sowie and Wallace to blame...Sowie in particular ran wonderfully...poor mistakes with the ball was the difference..that's the point..
up in the north
Roar Rookie
You Merrin defenders are sooooo missing the point. A player has no right to claim being hard done by without having runs on the board. They were beaten. The only right he has is to go away and work harder and stop making excuses for failure.
Bronco Juggernaut
Guest
Panthers rubbish halves pairing is what lost them the game. Soward and Wallace should be over in the UK playing with the rest of the plodders. Not NRL standard. When Moylan comes back, griffin needs to put him to 5/8th, put Martin HB and DWZ FB.
The eye
Guest
'Thoroughly dominated'..kidding yourself,it was 22-22 with 10 to go..best 2 forwards on the field were Carty and Peachy..Merrin top mere eater on the day..panther backs cruelled themselves with errors..which Raider forward stood out ?
Jarrod Free
Roar Rookie
Too much pride to admit his forward pack was thoroughly dominated. Penrith's pack has tonnes of potential, but it was not on show yesterday.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
This kind of comment really shows to me why the Dragons (especially Mary) were content to let him go.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
I was thinking along the same lines. I admire his positive attitude but a dose of reality before he speaks wouldn't hurt.
Dean - Surry Hills
Guest
Spot on Cadfael. A poor 10 minute period by The Raiders prior to half time leveled the playing field, otherwise the Panthers would have been well and truly embarrassed on the scoreboard.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Merrin obviously has no clue.... Penrith have got no hope if they think they were the better team and were also happy with their style of play.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
Being nudged out by a goal or field goal, saying they were the better team may have merit but five tries to three?