Back in 2014, a Penrith Panthers side fancied by most to miss the eight lined up on a chilly Saturday night for a game of football.
Yet, this was no ordinary game of football. It was September football.
A preliminary final with a possible grand final berth on the line.
The side was ravaged by injury, with Bryce Cartwright and Peter Wallace among others sitting on the sideline.
Eighty minutes later the siren sounded and Penrith had suffered a heartbreaking 18-12 defeat at the hands of the Bulldogs.
Coach Ivan Cleary later claimed that it just “wasn’t meant to be.”
Despite the loss, to most experts there seemed to be something brewing out West and Penrith were accordingly installed $10 favourites for the premiership in 2015.
Yet, such promise did not amount to much.
There were injuries. A lot of them, with Penrith’s first choice spine only playing a mere 170 minutes together.
Yet, any hopes Penrith had of salvaging their season were compounded by a lack of experience and patience, which cost the Panthers dearly.
It appeared, like it had for the Warriors, all the buzz and excitement regarding Penrith’s talented youngsters had little impact on their results.
Fast forward now to September 2016 and it is safe to say that this Panthers side has gained even greater expectations heading into 2017.
Similarly to 2014, this year Penrith was a young side lacking in experience and suffered significant disruption with player movement and injuries. The losses of first choice international centres Dean Whare and Peta Hiku threatened to derail their season, yet unlike 2014, these injuries occurred earlier and helped facilitate the development of Tyrone Peachey and Waqa Blake, who became two of the most damaging centres in the game.
The rise of Blake was particularly impressive, after calls for his head at the end of 2015 from a number of Penrith fans.
In three more games this season, Blake made three errors less, fifteen more tackle busts and scored three more tries which is likely to force either Hiku or Whare out of the club.
The emergence of young talent in Nathan Cleary, James Fisher-Harris and Leilani Latu saw Penrith reach September footy only to bundle out with a disappointing 22-12 loss to Canberra in week two of the finals.
Yet, Penrith is in an even better state going into the 2017 season, with the combination of masterful fullback Matt Moylan and young Cleary a delight to witness.
Furthermore, the forced departures of 2014 Dally M Hooker of the Year James Segeyaro and Jamie Soward left fans questioning Anthony Griffin and whether Phil Gould’s ‘five-year plan’ would be in need of an extra five years.
Integral to Penrith’s improvement this season was the stunning form of previously maligned halfback Peter Wallace.
The arrival of Griffin at the start of the season seemingly spelled the end of Wallace’s time at Penrith, with the signing of boom rookie Te Maire Martin further strengthening this claim. Yet, Wallace’s move to hooker was a masterstroke by Griffin, with the veteran proving invaluable for such a young, inexperienced side.
Wallace’s attitude and effort cannot be bought but is instead ingrained in his nature, and has proven critical for a Penrith side that only missed fewer tackles this regular season than the Knights and Titans. The addition of workhorse Trent Merrin also assisted in this area.
Although a premiership may be looming, 2017 shapes as one of the most important seasons in the club’s history.
Penrith’s 2014 success was followed by an 11th place finish after a last round victory over Newcastle ensured the Mountain Men didn’t collect the dreaded Wooden Spoon.
An impressive second place finish in 2010 was followed by another string of disappointing 12th, 15th and 10th placed rankings. Even the years following their premiership success in 2003 were dire, with their fourth place finish in 2004 their only return to finals football until 2010.
And finally, after earning their first taste of glory in 1991, albeit competing in the Super League in 1997, the Panthers had to wait until 2000 for another berth in the finals, before a subsequent three-year delay.
Penrith should be a dynamic force in 2017. However, what Penrith fans are hoping is that the term ‘should’ can be replaced with the word ‘will’ in the next few years.
This side boasts some of the best young talent in the game, headlined by already recognised stars Matt Moylan, Trent Merrin and Josh Mansour, as well as rapidly rising rookies. Even Bryce Cartwright’s move back to the second row next year will make Penrith an even more dangerous attacking proposition.
A top four finish next season is certainly not beyond this group, but they must prove themselves capable of building upon the success of 2016. The future looks very bright out west but of course, the Warriors are a side that epitomises the idea that talent does not always bring success. Hard work and dedication do.
2017 will be the most important year in Penrith’s history if they want to win a premiership in the near future.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I'm not sure when they signed Browne but they signed Tamou before Latu and Matagi had emerged. I think they might call a do over if they knew then what they know now. RCG, JFH and Yeo have come on so much this year - probably more than expected. Anyway - good position to be in mate.
The eye
Guest
Expecting a smorgasboard of player movement in the coming 'silly season' which will even the comp up even more..
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
Well Moylan and Carty are locked up... Now to try fit everyone else in.
Joe
Roar Rookie
I think the Panthers will challenge again but I don't know if 2017 is their year. Going by past record of needing to be in the top four, which of the current top four would make way for Penrith next year? Also remember that the Eels has 12 points stripped so might well be hunting for top four spots and the Broncos were unlucky not to get top four this year too. Roosters and Rabbits finished pretty strongly and also have pretty strong rosters. Not forgetting the Warriors if they finally put it together under a new coach. I do agree though this year is much better than 2014 in terms of depth and I think the Origin players having had a year under their belt will handle it much better. The main worry for me is Wallace and who his replacement will be if he gets injured. Clearlyand Martin are still teenagers and playing half a season is way different to playing the whole season plus finals. Ash Taylor at 20 was struggling towards the end of and outstanding rookie season. I just don't know if they're ready for the big dance next year.
Albo
Guest
Spot on Baz ! That's why it is most important that the Panthers make all their budding talent count for something in 2017. As this year a dozen or so players dramatically increased their value on the market and it will be unlikely that the Panthers will be able to keep them all together again come contract signing times ! I am still not sure why they would have gone out and forked out big money ( I assume ?) for two more 30 minute imported boppers like Tamou & Tim Brown ( who haven't had the greatest of years) , when they already have a plethora of good forwards in their ranks and coming through their juniors ? I guess they are expecting more value from these players' experience , but I am not so sure that counts for much at the Panthers current stage of forward development. The likes of Latu, Matagi, Yeo, Grevsmuhl, Fisher-Harris , Merrin , Peachey & Cartwright have all had great years and will carry that experience well into 2017 ! Where will they fit them all ?
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
I agree wholeheartedly max the competition for spots in the top 8 is intense hence why I thought penrith might miss the 8 this year
MAX
Guest
For a team with premiership aspirations and the players to do so a top 4 finish in 2017 and 2018 is vital but probably a little more difficult than normal due to the strength of competition. Next year we can expect revitalised efforts from Tigers,Warriors, Souths, Eels and Roosters. Rugby League is in the early years of a golden decade and the Panthers are on the prowl. I expect them to succeed at least once between 2017-2020.
peeeko
Guest
i would love to be a panthers fan right now
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
Yep. Exactly right. I'm not sure how they are going to afford so much young talent. I personally think they will go close next year but 2018 may be the year. But with so many rising players asking for a lot of money they are going to struggle to keep this group.
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
No definitely they were very important aha! My opinion though is that if they are able to finish at least in the Top 8, but more so in the Top 4 next year they are really setting themselves up for a seriously successful dynasty for years to come seeing all the young talent they have. But no doubt those years were massive.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Without knowing exactly how their contracts are structured I'd almost say it will need to be a premiership in 2017 or 2018. They will have plenty of depth next year. If Whare and Hiku come in where do Blake and Peachey play? If Cartwright moves into the backrow then one of Yeo or JFH go to the bench. Tamou and RCG come in and Latu and Matagi are off the bench. They will be very strong and super deep. They already have Merrin and Tamou on big money. There's talk of multi million dollar contracts for Cartwright and Moylan. Blake, Cleary, Martin , Yeo, RCG, DWZ, JFH, Latu, Peachey among others will require upgrades in the next couple of seasons.
peeeko
Guest
it will be an exciting an important year for the panthers but no more important than 1991 or 2003. too many people discount the past