Luke Lewis has delivered a withering assessment of the chances of Parramatta upsetting Penrith in this weekend’s Battle of the West NRL Grand Final.
Speaking to James Graham on his The Bye Round podcast, the 2016 Clive Churchill Medallist gave a blunt opinion on the chances of whoever it was that the Panthers ran into on the big night.
“The best I’ve seen for a long period of time,” he said of the club where he made his name.
“They’ve won SG Ball this year, Jersey Flegg, NSW Cup and if the Panthers win on the weekend it’s an NRL Grand Final. The Panthers have everything down pat. The way that they coach all the way through their system and junior grades is perfect.”
“I look at Penrith at the moment and they can win the game in so many different ways. They can win the game with their attack, with their defence, they can starve teams of possession, they can turn the screws when it needs to be done.
“Their kicking game is perfect, they’ve got attack on left and right. Nathan Cleary has the game so sorted at such a young age, I think Penrith would have to be 20% off and whoever they play has to play their perfect game of footy to beat them. That’s quite scary, right?
“This Penrith side is the best I’ve seen for a long time.”
Lewis went on to predict that the Panthers current strength in depth would allow them to replicate the dynasty that emerged at Melbourne under Craig Bellamy, when he could call on players from reserve grade and junior ranks and turn them into high-level first graders at will.
It’s crazy, but if you look through that club, and the amount of talent coming through there is like Melbourne used to be. Remember, they would let someone go and you’d think they’d struggle, but all of a sudden, these players that you’d never heard of would come in and be superstars. That’s what Penrith have out there at the moment.
It’s superstar after superstar after superstar, all young kids tied up that want to play for the club. It makes me pretty proud as a Penrith junior to see what they’re doing.
Chris
Guest
You’re right about rushing Cleary & the like. Anyone can win in a 2 horse race. On the other side of that argument is that Parramatta aren’t Queensland either. They should also be kept on side more than Queensland were. Plus, there’s more ways than 1 , to win through a good kicking game. As a lot of grubber kicks against Mitchell showed. Can you find Gutherson out of position at the back, absolutely. Not saying Parramatta can’t win , with a more expansive game . That’s what they’ll be trying to do.
kk
Roar Pro
Parra Women. Penrith Men.
Aaron Conley
Guest
The way they are rotating the starting front rowers, means that one of them is on the field the whole game
matth
Roar Guru
Great analysis. My worry for Parramatta is how they do drop off once their starting forwards have a rest. They need to hang on in the middle period somehow and then come home like a train.
Adam
Roar Guru
Time and space. Time and space. Oh and don't drop the ball with 30 seconds left in the half.
Busty McCracken
Roar Rookie
I'm hopeful of a parra win (sea eagle fan here) but the more I hear people talking up what a great game this will be the more if I fear a bigger blow out than 40 nil. Parra look so pumped to have made the gf where as Penrith looked more job not finished. Cleary looks fresh , their forwards are rested. I hope I'm wrong and it's an epic battle but won't be surprised to see Penrith blow parra off the park early
The Barry
Roar Guru
Penriths record over Parra in the last three years is 5-3 and two of Parra’s losses were by one and two points I’m sure not all those games were “Parra being perfect and hoping Penrith were off” To be clear I’m tipping Penrith, but I think Parra can upset them. Souths were winning the middle early last week and were able to put points on. The Panthers looked a bit scrappy and rushed early. Souths’ intensity and edge fell away once the bench rotation started Parra has the pack to take it to Penrith. The selection of Brown on the bench is telling. Although it’s no fait accompli that anyone will get over JFH, Yeo, Leota and Leniu in the middle Queensland also showed what could be done by rushing Yeo, Cleary and Luai, cutting down their time and options for them and putting their runners under pressure. I’d imagine a GF will have a similar amount of latitude as Origin If Parra hand over cheap ball and territory like last time (no pressure Waqa!) they’re no chance
bazza200
Guest
Go Parra :)