Since Phil Gould has arrived at the foot of the mountains, the Panthers’ club culture has improved markedly.
The latest such example is the dropping of captain Matt Moylan, Peta Hiku and Waqa Blake for what shapes as a crucial clash at Pepper stadium on Friday night.
The trio breached club protocol after the Round 5 loss to Melbourne. It again demonstrates that for Penrith, no individual is bigger than the club and players will be held accountable for any indiscretion, big or small and regardless of reputation.
It is a hard position these players have put the club in. Tyrone Peachey has a broken rib, while Josh Mansour is recovering from an ACL tear. The depth in the outside backs will be tested, as Malakai Watene-Zelezniak makes his debut, and Dylan Edwards returns for his third game. Michael Oldfield will also make his debut for Penrith.
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The Panthers and their opposition, South Sydney, are 2-3 to start the season and will be desperate to square up their ledgers.
While fans of the club may be disappointed, this may be the catalyst that kickstarts the Panthers’ season, after a shaky start.
With so much depth in the outside backs, and plenty of youngsters looking for a break, Friday night represents a chance for the players who have been called up to force their way into first grade.
It also serves as a wake-up call to those players stood down, who will instead play NSW Cup, that playing first grade is not a right but a privilege. In the wake of a lucklustre performance against the Storm, the priority should have been the team and getting ready for a return home to put in a better performance.
With coach Anthony Griffin and Phil Gould again taking the hard line and making the tough decisions, it’s up to the 17 that run out on Friday to atone for the actions of a small few.
If they can jag a win, it will serve as a timely reminder that there is plenty of quality at Penrith ready to step up.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Rabbits by 20+, it will be a thrashing for the Bunnies tonight. The Panthers aint roaring there a bunch of pussycats, especially without Moylan, Hiku and Blake! Go The Rabbits!!!!
Albo
Guest
Its only round 5, Ron ! The Panthers are going alright after that first round disaster against St George when they obviously weren't ready for the start of the season and deservedly got spanked. The Panthers have two solid packs of forwards and plenty of depth, Griffin just needs to settle on the right combinations as his first choice pack & bench. The return of James Fisher-Harris & Cartwright will give them a lot more impact shortly, and their young big boppers (Leota, Kikau, etc) just need some more education in hitting the line and defensive positioning. I'm confident the Panthers have enough talent to challenge for the title later in the year. Despite their youth in some areas, remember they do have 9 Internationals ( Aussie & Kiwi) in their squad ! Not sure that even Griffin could muck up the potential here with this squad ? I think Griffin has done the right thing this week in laying down the law to those not towing the line and impacting on the culture the Club might be trying to engender. As for the Cartwright off the field issue , not everything is as the media narrative would have you believe. Lots of circumstances involved there.
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
Although I didn't agree with the Moylan captaincy, it seems clear their intentions are to build the club around him. Moments like this could define Moylan's future as the captain - I mean, perhaps prior to this he felt almost invincible, as if he was little chance of losing his first grade spot. It may be the wake up call he needs to continue to improve. I think he will get better as a result, both on and off the field.
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
Tamou I think was signed for his leadership qualities as Penrith have a young pack. The Panthers, however, are certainties for the Top 8 in my opinion, Cleary and TMM have been getting better every game. But I do doubt that Griffin can take them all the way.
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
Penrith have 8 first graders out on Friday night. Moylan, Mansour, Hiku, Blake, Cartwright, Peachey, Fisher-Harris and McKendry. Nice try. I agree though, I still think it would be close if Penrith were full strength. Cody Walker in particular has looked very impressive.
3_Hats SSTID 2014
Roar Rookie
What are you talking about? Everyone always seems to forget that Souths will have 3 or 4 players OUT Well BEFORE this incident even happened. GI, Gray, Hunt and most likely Farah. The early signs are that Farah will not play. IF both teams were at full strength the Rabbitohs would still give it to them. Last Season the Panthers only won by 2 points. 28 to 26. Souths had Hunt, Reynolds, Cook, Crichton, George Burgess and Musgrove, all out!
Ron Swanson
Roar Guru
On the flip side it could spark the beginning of the end for Griffin. I sense the young Panthers will be a major flop this season and prove how hard it is to coach under the constant microscope of Gus Gould. Griffin was an odd replacement in my opinion. The forward pack looks pretty average so far this season and the singing of Tamou was strange at best. Not sure what they see in him to be frank. Lot's of players with promise but ditto the Tigers and other sides. Need the professional hard nuts who do the small things right week in week out. The reaction contradicts a little the soft stance they took on Cartwright if you ask me and denied all claims. Again 2 sides to every story but instead of saying his life should be private maybe a better message and to show support for the clubs female fans would of been, "we don't condone that behaviour however, we have no proof...." etc. The Bulldogs did a Gus yesterday announcing they intend to win the premiership within the next 2 years. Least Gus said 5.
GD66
Guest
I think his appointment as captain was a calculated gamble that would have been great to pull off, but evidently hasn't worked. I reckon he would have been torched fairly severely while seated on the chair in front of Gus's desk, and rightly so.
Zedman
Roar Rookie
When the Captain breaks rank and gets on the sauce you would think a stronger penalty could be waiting. With such a young side the Panthers haven't got a obvious leader, i always thought Moylan's selection was an odd call, he is very animated with a lot of arm waving and yelling at his team mates.
Albo
Guest
100 % Max ! I am still shaking my head in disbelief particularly at Moylan the Club captain ! The whole undisciplined incident could hurt him badly later in the year. Hopefully they learn quick smart the folly of their ways. They have now given Souths a real walk up start on Friday night . Young Dylan Edwards is a good replacement at fullback but I can see DWZ & his BRO targeted all night by the bunnies. This now becomes a big test for the Panthers young halves to show what they are made of , as the ball is now totally in their court to get the team home with no Moylan influence.
Epiquin
Roar Guru
I must admit that I haven't heard the details about what happened, but it's poor perform for a captain to get suspended by his own club for breaking the rules. Basically, if the player who is considered the most senior leader on the team can't stay out of trouble, his position as captain is untenable.
Nat
Roar Guru
Well done on the tough stand and a fortunate time to make the example. Precedent set though. Let's hope they don't play up week 1 of semis.
kk
Roar Pro
Hi Jack, Souths are now in with a chance. The three delinquents should be made to sit three abreast with a camera on them for the 80' for replay in the event of defeat. Rugby League should be thankful they did not attract trouble whilst clubbing down south but the Souths up north may trouble them out of two valuable points. The HGA may prove to be crucial in a golden pointer.