Western Sydney derby an opportunity for Panthers redemption

By Nelson Sing / Roar Guru

The Penrith Panthers are running riot across the NRL, currently boasting a 12-game winning streak.

They sit pretty in first on the ladder, have the second-best attack in terms of points scored and the second-best defence in terms of points conceded.

Their success can be contributed to being a fundamentally sound team. They complete on average 83 per cent of their sets and generally have 55 per cent possession in every game, which is the best in the NRL. Penrith also make the fewest errors and are above average conceding penalties and missing tackles. All of these certainly help.

They are on track to secure the minor premiership, which they last did in 2003. Penrith fans definitely know what else happened that year.

So far in 2020 they have had a near-flawless season. The only major blemish was their Round 5 loss to their upcoming opponents Parramatta Eels. Penrith were in control the majority of that match-up until literally ten minutes of quality from Parramatta was enough to give the Panthers their only loss of this season.

“They’re in the top four, they’re definitely a side we want to beat, they’re the only side that’s beaten us this year, so it does add a lot of fire to the belly,” Penrith winger Josh Mansour said.

(Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images)

There are great match-ups to monitor throughout the game. For starters, the battle of the forward packs should be entertaining. The Panthers and the Eels are first and second respectively for total run metres. James Fisher-Harris and Reagan Campbell-Gillard are the driving force for their teams at the front.

When you add in for Penrith James Tamou, Viliame Kikau and Isaah Yeo up against Junior Paulo, Ryan Matterson and Nathan Brown for Parramatta, you know it’s going to be an explosive match-up. It will be a tough grind to see which big men can get over the advantage line to give their playmakers better attacking opportunities.

One head-to-head match-up on everyone’s mind will be Nathan Cleary against Mitchell Moses. Head to head Cleary has been performing much better and is definitely one of the top halfbacks in the game. When comparing both players, Cleary has forced more drop-outs, dominates Moses in try assists and line break assists and averages 24 extra running metres per game. He is a lot more engaged with the Panthers offence and a lot more aggressive with both his running and kicking game.

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An unsung hero for Penrith has been Cleary’s partner in crime, Jarome Luai. It’s unfortunate that we won’t get to see Dylan Brown battle Luai due to injury, but the Penrith five-eighth has been one of the better halves in the competition. While Cleary does most of the kicking, Luai leads the team with 15 try assists and 12 line break assists, which places him top five in both categories. He is a great complement to Cleary, and Parramatta will certainly have their hands full trying to contain both halves.

It will also be intriguing to see now that Blake Ferguson finally scored his first try against the Warriors and whether he will play with more freedom. He will match up with Josh Mansour, who is one of the top wingers in the NRL right now.

The X factors will be the workhorses at the back, Clint Gutherson against Dylan Edwards. Edwards has been hit with injury and has so far made only nine appearances this season. However, he’s also been another weapon for Penrith, averaging over six tackle breaks a game and leads the competition averaging 80 metres on kick returns.

Meanwhile, Gutherson has been the model of consistency all season who does everything for the Eels. He hustles on kick returns, makes metres to get Parramatta out of their danger zone and runs in support when a break is made. In addition, he’s been great with his passing leading the team with 13 try assists.

A lot has changed since both teams met in Round 5. Penrith has been on a roll while Parramatta have been clawing away with their wins. While Penrith has been 12-0, Parramatta have won eight games, with six of those wins coming within ten points or less.

“We haven’t been playing our best footy but you know NRL games are tough to win. Two points is still two points for us,” Parramatta prop Junior Paulo mentioned in their training media session.

The Panthers will be looking to make a statement and avenge their only loss in Round 5. Not only will this be a Western Sydney derby filled with emotion, we could also be looking at a finals preview as well.

The Crowd Says:

2020-09-09T23:15:18+00:00

Nat

Roar Rookie


Good summary Albo. Agree it will be a battle of the edges and I think Parra's best attack comes from their left as well. Paulo is a major part of their 2nd phase attack so if they can keep that in check the Pennies will go a long way toward getting the chocolates.

2020-09-09T10:41:40+00:00

Eelsalmighty

Roar Rookie


Based on the form of both sides for the majority (last couple of months at least) of the season, well let's just say I'm more nervous than excited. If I was BA I'd be preppy the boys pre game with a "play like you're up by 4 points late in game, for the entire game" type speech. I think if we defend first, and hard, we've got enough attacking players who's instincts close to the line will create some opportunities, and hopefully we'll get a few tries from that. I can't see us winning a high scoring game, and am very concerned it could look like the score from the Bunnies game if we try, but I think (hope) we can maintain a "finals respect for the opposition" for if/when we face the Panthers again if we can contain them, and I'm not (quite) conceding the 2 points just yet.

2020-09-09T09:42:54+00:00

jimmmy

Roar Rookie


Penrith bench looks a mile ahead of what Parra have. Gee I like Leota. Impact players like him on the bench are gold.

2020-09-09T09:33:06+00:00

DP Schaefer

Roar Rookie


Astute observation Jimmy and likely the result. However, same need for Parra to win. Lose to Penrith and then they face them again in a few weeks when they are even more confident. Parra win and they have more confidence in the finals. Lose and they are just making numbers.

2020-09-09T09:20:37+00:00

Wild Panther

Roar Rookie


Panthers with 3 props on the bench. I know which pack I would rather play behind.

2020-09-09T06:42:02+00:00

Andrew01

Roar Rookie


Depends on your philosophy on form. Some say, you are only as good as your last game. Penrith were pretty ordinary in their last game against the Broncos. Parra were pretty good (though not brilliant) against a tougher opponent in the Warriors.

2020-09-09T06:01:43+00:00

Rob

Guest


Looking at the ladder this is 1st vs 3rd but on form it's one of the top sides against a mid table side. Penrith will flog them!

AUTHOR

2020-09-09T04:42:15+00:00

Nelson Sing

Roar Guru


My concern with Parramatta and especially in the loss against the Rabbitohs, the wingers have been rushing out in defense quite a lot and make poor reads on defense. Both Sivo and Fergo are culprits. Penrith could wreak havoc out wide

2020-09-09T04:36:45+00:00

Albo

Roar Rookie


A good summary of the upcoming clash, Nelson. My thoughts are that the centre third will likely cancel each other out. And a key battle will be the Panthers left edge ( Luai, Kikau, Crichton & Mansour) versus the Eels right edge ( Moses, Matterson , Blake & Fergo). Both are each team's go to sides in attack. The Eels beat the Panthers there earlier in the year in a 5 minute period when Crichton missed tackles on Blake twice in two sets for tries, and Gutherson got a dodgy bounce of the ball on Panthers fullback Aekins for Matterson to dive over, and the game went from 0-12 to 16 -12 in a blink of the eye, all via the Panthers left edge. It is a Panthers obvious weak spot in defence at times, and we saw the Broncos exploit it too last week with Riki's try. They need to improve defensive reads there. Another area of Panthers concern still on that side , is the ordinary ability of Mansour under the high ball. Moses will test him there . On the other hand the Panthers left edge has plenty of fire power to also damage the Eels in attack via Luai, Kikau & Crichton and opposites Moses, Blake & Fergo in particular, have been in ordinary form in recent weeks. On the Panthers right edge Cleary & Martin should have the edge in both attack & defence against Field & Lane. And the Panthers bench looks to have an edge. But the wild cards may come down to the fullbacks or a powerful individual effort by wingers Sivo or To'o ? If the Panthers can maintain their disciplined ball control and line speed in defence, I would like their chances of maintaining their run of wins.

AUTHOR

2020-09-09T04:09:24+00:00

Nelson Sing

Roar Guru


Yeah great point. Penrith certainly in control of their own path and could carve their way through to Prelims if they can get Parra first week as opposed to Roosters

2020-09-09T04:00:01+00:00

jimmmy

Roar Rookie


This might end up being the most important game the Panthers play in the regular season. Beat Parra and there is a reasonably good chance to play them again in week one of the finals. You want Parra or the Roosters in week one.? I have my choice.

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