A lack of match practice could be blamed for a shocking Penrith error count as the Panthers welcomed back several stars in their NRL win over Wests Tigers.
But coach Ivan Cleary was hesitant to blame rustiness for the dropped balls he said became ‘infectious’ among 17 mistakes during the 30-16 win at Redcliffe which moved the Panthers to equal top of the NRL ladder.
NSW Origin winger Brian To’o scored and racked up 265 running metres in his return from syndesmosis surgery, while prop James Fisher-Harris started his first game in a month.
Viliame Kikau was moved back to the bench for Liam Martin to start, creating more change in the side that has been riddled with injuries and suspensions for the past few months.
Halfback Nathan Cleary notched up 1000 career points with his second goal of the day, but the milestone was overshadowed by five uncharacteristic errors from the consistent star.
Jarome Luai and Kikau also contributed to the high incompletion rate.
With one week to play before finals, coach Cleary hopes it was just a bad day.
“We created chances everywhere but we dropped the ball 17 times today and that doesn’t include knock down in try-scoring situations,” he said.
“If you make 17 errors you’re not going to beat a top-eight side.
“Maybe, it’s just one of those days.
“We had guys dropping the ball who normally wouldn’t and it became contagious.”
Regardless of how they won, the victory moved Penrith to equal top of the ladder with Melbourne with the minor premiership up for grabs next week.
The Storm have already indicated they will rest a number of their stars against Cronulla on Friday night.
The Panthers have opted instead to rather rest players from training, but Cleary said he would not make selection decisions based on what silverware is up for grabs against Parramatta.
He did however say there is importance in claiming the JJ Giltinan Shield.
“It’s a great achievement, minor premierships, to finish the regular rounds on top shows you’re the most constant team through the year,” he said.
“We were honoured to win it last year and anyone who wins it should be congratulated.
“Having said that, the most important thing at the moment is the finals.”
Meanwhile, Canterbury coach Trent Barrett has admitted the two off-field incidents that hit the NRL club during the week affected preparations for Sunday’s clash against Manly.
The Bulldogs put up a spirited display before falling to a 36-18 defeat to the Sea Eagles after a week where Adam Elliott and Lachlan Lewis were both stood down in unrelated incidents.
Elliott has been handed a breach notice by the club after being fined by the NRL for an incident involving NRLW player Millie Boyle which led to the backrower being kicked out of a Gold Coast restaurant last week.
Lewis meanwhile was reportedly in hot water for putting a speaker for sale online that had originally been provided by the NRL to the club while in the Queensland hub.
The incident is being investigated by the NRL’s integrity unit, with officials trying to ascertain if it was a practical joke gone wrong.
Barrett refused to comment on the specifics of the Lewis incident but said there was no doubt it had been a bad few days for the last-placed club.
“You don’t need those distractions,” he said.
“The club certainly doesn’t need any adverse publicity as well so that was disappointing, but you saw the effort from the players today, they do care a lot about their performance and they’re disappointed in the sheds again.
“It’s been a tough week.”
Canterbury will get one last chance to snap a 10-game losing streak when they face Wests Tigers next weekend in their final fixture of the 2021 season.
Barrett said after some positive signs in recent weeks, it would be a boost to all at the Bulldogs if they can end their year on a victorious note.
“It’d be nice,” he said.
“That game should have been a hell of a lot closer there.
“Next week’s a big one for us. We’ll throw everything we can into trying to finish the season with a win.”
Kent Dorfman
Roar Rookie
good thinking - like them old style swimming caps like what your mum or granny'd wear? with them flowers & tassels on them? This way they will still think their locks are flowing when they run
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
How about a shower cap -to keep it dry in case it rains
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
Paul I dont understand your Comment on Sally Cap.Every club loses players every year -thats the nature of the NRL marketplace. If Penrith go on and win the Title this decision on TPJ will come under the Microscope and will taint that Victory
Kent Dorfman
Roar Rookie
maybe the players with long hair need to wear that mini turban like what Harbhajan Singh wore at the cricket
Kent Dorfman
Roar Rookie
sounds good to me. Who's gunna pick up Payne Haas? the top 8 should troll through the best available from the bottom 8 & sign them up quick smart for the finals series. Maybe RTS headed home too soon?
Cam
Roar Rookie
Fair point. Could we possibly see a scenario where say the Knights are eliminated in the first final and then Kalyn Ponga is loaned to Souths on a 2 match deal (Major Semi and GF)? With Ponga valued at $900k, his 2 week stint would only be worth $34,700 and would fit under the Rabbitohs salary cap.
Kent Dorfman
Roar Rookie
loyalty to the players in your squad. TPJ should not be playing for any team and teams should not be able to play players not contracted to them - WTF is the salary cap for? TPJ is a grub with his suspension history & covid bubble breach - and now he may win a premiership with a club he should never be playing for. As much as I hate the Storm, i hope the Panthers don't win - this is a joke
Myxomatosis
Guest
I think To’o scored a try on the weekend & ran for around 265 metres . He can do what he likes with his hair!
Paul
Guest
If you remember rightly . Penrith let one of their top 30 players go to play at St.George during this season. Billy Burns. They only got Eddie Blacker ( who was out with a knee injury ) in return. Who would have cost next to nothing. As for salary cap. Penrith lose first grade players every year . Rarely ever replacing them with any great players. Such as Burton, Capewell for next season.
Onya.
Guest
As there’s no good backs sitting around, that are in between clubs. Remember that Pangai was released by Brisbane & signed to play for the Bulldogs, for next year. So he’s actually only signed to play for one club at a time. Leniu was out injured, when Pangai was signed to play for a few games & Fisher-Harris had gone out of the bubble to be with his wife. Leniu will get his chance again next year & may still be playing this year. With the loyalty. Leniu is still signed to stay with the Panthers. Did you mean the loyalty like with South’s veteran & local junior Reynolds?
Joey
Guest
Ivan, you won 13+ with 17 errors. Last time you played Tigers was without your Origin players, you made only 12 errors, but lost 13+. Sure, throw in an extra skills session mid-week, but don’t go overboard with how bad they’re going. Unless of course, you are battling it out with Desy for underdog status.
kk
Roar Pro
My blue and white pen took note.
Kent Dorfman
Roar Rookie
tease the girls - that your hair and ponytail was longer and prettier than theirs? )
Nat
Roar Guru
It was far less than crisp by the Pennies but they were always in control. You can say the name Ivan, prett sure you know it well. "Nathan". Nathan dropped the ball... Welcome to the world of TPJ. He will run over 5 blokes to score a try and then lett a little hooker go straight past him to get one back.
Big Mig
Roar Rookie
Fark - you are right.
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
I learnt that at school.I use to tease all the girls
Kent Dorfman
Roar Rookie
that Marty Kapow? U got big enough cojones to say that to his (her?) face)). You play with long hair / dreadies (like George Smith) - that's the risk you take & the price you pay when playing in a sport where they grab hold of you to stop you. Baggy jerseys disappeared for a reason
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
Can there be a DallyM for the best Hairdo.I 'll give it to that Girl at Manly who squelled when they pulled her pigtails
Kent Dorfman
Roar Rookie
need the Gutho hairdo (of Storm vs Eels). No way would Kevin Hardwick ever put his hair into a manbun, he let that glorious mullet flow in the wind
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
You left out the Raiders n Sharks, BM.I seem to recall we had Parra at 100/1 and the Storm unbeatable a week ago