Anthony Griffin’s team of black cats are once again tipped to purr, but with an overabundance of quality outside backs some might be lapping from a different bowl before the season is out.
A trimmed down Waqa Blake and everywhere-man Tyrone Peachey made the centre positions their own in 2016 following knee injuries to first choice pair Dean Whare and Peta Hiku.
The unlikely duo was prominent in Penrith’s finals charge, at times almost unstoppable in combination with international wingers Josh Mansour and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak.
Six into four still doesn’t go, but for now injury has again decided which two miss out.
Mansour (ACL) will miss the bulk of 2017 while Watene-Zelezniak (foot) is due back in Round 3.
Many predict Kiwi internationals Whare and Hiku to start the season in the centres, but after Penrith’s final trial against Parramatta, Griffin was quick to point out the centre spots were Peachey and Blake’s to lose.
Besides, the new halves combination of Te Maire Martin and Nathan Cleary stands to benefit from stability out wide.
Blake developed into a class right centre last season and earned a two year contract extension until end of 2019 while Peachey will always be Griffin’s joker in the pack.
Up until the second half of last season, the former Shark happily roamed without title before calling left-centre home in his final 15 appearances.
Contracted for a further three seasons, Peachey is one of the most gifted players in the competition meaning only one person should be pushing for his inclusion on the bench – and that’s the opposition coach.
Heading into the season opener, it looks as though Whare and Hiku will earn their stripes from the wing before one eventually makes way for the speedy boots of Watene-Zelezniak.
Regularly naming high profile stars in the NSW Cup is one sure way to ignite relocation rumours.
No club has park footy in mind when paying Test talent top-dollar and with 15 and nine Tests respectively, both Whare and Hiku will be desperate to remain in the top 17.
Whare needs an open throttle from Round 1.With only 14 top-grade appearances since 2014, a stint in the seconds will do little for the 27 year-old’s contract prospects or market value beyond this season.
Hiku is steady in any backline position and is contracted until the end of 2018 but won’t take anything for granted having already been forced from Manly shortly before the 2016 season.
The long term branding of Peachey has inadvertently left Penrith with a lopsided playing roster which along with a swag of rising talent means several high profile names could be forced out.
Griffin made a name for himself at the Broncos with an ability to identify and transition U20s players to the NRL.
One thing’s for certain, Griffin won’t shy from the big call.
Last year the coach didn’t hesitate to move Elijah Taylor sideways after identifying an oversupply of forwards. The 10-Test Kiwi was relegated to second grade before striking a deal with the Tigers for the remainder of the year.
Taylor lost out to Griffin’s preference for energetic and aggressive forward play in a blueprint that may he may repeat in the assessment of backline stocks throughout 2017.
Talk of Mansour’s return only complicates the issue meaning two representative backs face demotion that could eventually see them forced elsewhere by the club or of their own accord.
Teams short on quality outside backs like Newcastle, Manly and the Dragons should already be sniffing about with guarantees of NRL permanence for the likes of the off contract Whare and the reliable Hiku.
All the Panthers need is a change of fortune on the injury front so their stocks can be re-assessed in a bang for buck analysis.
And with Griffin’s alliance to youth, pace and power, it’ll come as no surprise to see another big name Panther or two shown the door before the June 30 transfer deadline.
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
Great passion, TH. Might be worth pushing off the back fence and charging into the Roar pack with an article, I reckon your thoughts will fire a few up. Imagine league without UK!!!!! I'm still crabby at France's international demise.
Tripehound
Guest
For me mate it's always easy to have a pop at those in charge, but the administration at the RFL has to toughen up and grow a pair. Through ignorance or incompetence they continually sell the game short. Back in my pomp the sport was run by half a dozen people at HQ, now it's a couple of hundred and in that period the main beneficiaries appear to have been those employed by the RFL. The game really is at a cross roads in the UK, but it's not all dark skies, if the correct decisions are taken a very prosperous future is a genuine possibility, it will just require a couple of big wigs within the sport to grab the nettle. Anyway Jas enough of my pontificating, all the best for the opening match, enjoy I know you will!
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
Appreciate your incite TH and love the company you keep. No cap raise in a decade - are the boys making noise. Is there scope for extra TV dollars if Sky covered every match?? Mate, I'm itching for Baz to scratch a track to the eight, but the competition runs deep. He'll need the injury gods smiling and hope a few fringe dwellers have break out seasons. For me, top 8 will be a cracking result. I'll be at Lottoland this Sunday, can't wait!!!
Tripehound
Guest
To add a little meat onto the bones of the player drain from SL to the NRL, I was talking to Tommy Martyn, the former Saints stand off (how he never won an international cap is beyond belief) who is still involved with the club and he told me that the contract Greenwood has signed with the Titans is worth the same as James Roby's current contract at the Saints and he is our highest paid player. Our salary cap hasn't been raised in over a decade now and it is having a detrimental effect on player retention. One that seems to have got away though is Joe Burgess, I know he didn't have the best of times at the Roosters last year but he seemed to be coming good after he moved to Souths in the second half of the season and has started like a house on fire on his return to Wigan. It wouldn't surprise me if the NRL or a union club aren't sniffing around him again in the not too distant. I hope Manly's defence manages to girder its loins for 2017 Jas, with a full season under his belt how do you like the looks of Barrett as head coach?
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
'Boozer', top shelf!!!! Mate, i've lost count of the amount of UK talent in the NRL. Great the guys can score a gig but I don't like the holes it leaves in the Old Dart's comp. I saw Leeds sneak home v Leigh. Looks like a great league venue the Centurions call home...reckon I could nurse a double-pint or two there. Manly trialled well, plenty of unknowns for round-1. Young Kelly a surprise pick at centre. Barrett has added attacking variety over the summer but i suspect they'll lack steel in defence, especially on the edges. You may miss Zeb, apparently he shaved his head for charity before boarding the plane.
Tripehound
Guest
I didn't actually get to either of the WCC games mate but made the strategic decision to watch both in the boozer! It's been a bit of a topsy turvy start from the Saints Jas, we opened the whole shebang a few Thursday's back with a sneaky little two point win at home to Leeds, we had the following week off due to the WCC and then got turned over at Leigh last Friday in a turgid display that unfortunately appears to be the hallmark of Keiron Cunningham's tenure as coach, if we don't deliver this season it's going to be difficult for the club to justify keeping him on board as head honcho. One of our young second rowers, Joe Greenwood, joined the Titans last week with Zeb Taia coming to us. I'll be keeping tabs on Joe, he has plenty of potential, is big and rangy with a fair turn of pace, he could be a bit of a surprise package if given the opportunity this season. How about you mate, plenty of optimism for the Sea Eagles chances this year?
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
Hey TH, best wishes for the 2017 season!! I'm a Whare fan, he has a reputation for strong defence and can set-up his outside man - he's just had an unfortunate run of bad luck. I reckon the best Panthers backline is Moylan, Mansour, Peachey, Blake, DWZ, Martin, Cleary. Apart from Peach, the outside guys are big and fast but Peach compensates with his own unique mastery. Hiku can't match the others speed but is a capable finisher and a respected fullback - even played 5/8 for NZ v England. So with all on deck, I'd say Whare and Hiku could be forced sideways. In saying that, things can easily change, especially up front meaning Peachey steps up and Whare steps in. I enjoyed the WCC - did you make it to a game? How those Saints boys shaping up?
Tripehound
Guest
Wotcha Jas, I've always been impressed with Dean Whare on the few occasions I've seen him play, but 14 games over the last few seasons is probably why I've not seen too much of him and a poor return for what I would imagine is a decent contract. As he been genuinely unlucky or does he appear to be very injury prone? Out of what is a really impressive back line squad who would you suggest is most likely to move on?
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
Equally, the efforts of Ivan Cleary shouldn't be forgotten as the Panther juggernaut powers on.
KingCowboy
Guest
Phil Gould has done a great job for the Panthers. What he has built out their is amazing. To me it is the blue print to how to build and grow a pack. I hope he get the kudos that he deserves!
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
Cheers souvalis, thanks for reading. Be interested to see where Ponga fits in next year - unlikely to play wing, might be the fullback answer...who knows, still may happen before June 30!!
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
I reckon the Dragons will need to upgrade out wide if Lafai is in their top 2 centres. Barely recognisable from his dominant Dogs days.
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
Along with Luke Lewis, Peachey is among my favourite players - different styles but both just out and out natural leaguies.
souvalis
Guest
Knights look a little iffy at 5/8 and fullback this season which makes Hiku a very attractive target..would love Waqa,most clubs surely would,outstanding development..good stuff Jason..
PatchMan
Guest
Yes' it does seem Penrith will most likely lose 2-3 Player's to other Clubs' but Dragon's won't need any backs'..They have an abundance of back line youth to play in first Grade' & develope in coming yrs'.. Newcastle most likely will benefit from the inevitable departures of Panther's back line stocks'..& Maybe Bulldogs'. Bronco's will struggle this season' compared to other season's..But i wouldn't write them completely off'.But they will strugle'..With Salary Cap' it should make it interesting to see' who are going to be the Surprise Packets' to at least' make the Top 8! With all these great Player's we have coming through in all Team's, it would be great to see another 1-2 Teams added to our Competition' instead of them going overseas to get a chance in first grade!..
kk
Roar Pro
Hi Jason, absorbing analysis with which I concur. When Panther Peachey participates in a play it puts a premiership in perspective and rear ends rise in appreciation.
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
Cheers Tom. I'm surprised you've named the Broncos but then again Hodges was always going to be difficult to replace and Read was a mixed bag. Hopefully Whare has an injury free season, he certainly a handy player - I still recall his NRL debut in Townsville, a hat-trick in the opening 25 minutes.
Tom Rock
Expert
Very enjoyable read. Excellent summary of Penrith's enviable backline depth. I could see a Brisbane or a South Sydney sniffing around as the season progresses. However if there is one squad that needs additional coverage for injury, it's the Panthers.