Roar Guru
Joined June 2014
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Nepean News Marn Covering Penrith Panthers in the NRL once more in 2016. Also covering Intrust Super Premiership as a writer for the NSWRL and as a co-commentator with Hawkesbury Radio. Follow me on twitter: @TheRiffMarn or @NepeanNews
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The standalone Sunday game in Round 14 features two teams in desperate need of two points when the Manly Sea Eagles host the Penrith…
Powerhouse Penrith winger Josh Mansour has been named to make his Origin debut in Game 1 of this year's series, to be played next…
In 2016, Penrith have suffered some fairly agonising losses in the last ten minutes. But today despite opening up a slender lead, the Panthers…
Two teams coming off last-start victories come together at the foot of the Blue Mountains looking to generate some winning momentum, as the Penrith…
As has been in the case so far in 2016, the 71st minute ticked over and a Panthers game was in the balance, this…
Pepper Stadium continues to be all but a blur as the Panthers switch another home game this time across the Tasman to Christchurch, who…
Penrith held on to defeat Canberra in controversial circumstances 19-18 at Carrington Park to enter the top eight and maintain their topsy-turvy 2016 form-line…
Penrith take the first of two consecutive home games away from Pepper Stadium when they head over the mountains to Bathurst when they host…
Penrith were brave, very brave but ultimately inaccurate goal-kicking from the normally reliable left boot of Jamie Soward, cost them victory. Cronulla held on…
Penrith was desperately unlucky to lose another tight game to a top four opponent in Cronulla on Sunday, especially given they managed to outscore…
Despite Roger Tuivasa-Sheck's shocking season-ending knee injury last Saturday against the Bulldogs, the battle for places in the Kiwi Test side remains as intense…
North Queensland and Brisbane are the competition's front runners but third-placed Cronulla, better known for their grinding style in previous years, have shown so…
Panthers back-rower Isaah Yeo says that holding down his spot in a Panthers back-row that is not short on depth is his main priority.…
Penrith's marquee signing for 2016, Trent Merrin, has criticised the inconsistent application of the rule surrounding the touching of referees. Merrin said the NRL…
Jamie Soward produced one of his best kicking games in recent memory to lead Penrith to a hard-fought 20-16 win over the Sydney Roosters…
Penrith centre Waqa Blake played what could be the breakout performance of his NRL career in the Panthers' gritty win over the Sydney Roosters.…
For the second consecutive year, east meets west on a Monday night as the Sydney Roosters return home to Allianz Stadium for the first…
Peter Wallace's continuing strong form at hooker is not only set to provide an earlier than expected selection headache for Panthers coach Anthony Griffin,…
In what is perhaps an ominous warning to the rest of the NRL, young Penrith winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has said he has plenty of…
On Saturday, the hearts of the large majority of the 13,725-strong crowd on hand at Pepper Stadium were left broken yet again. Former Penrith…
So do we ban teams from having leagues club filled with poker machines that provides revenue to RL both at a junior & senior level? Cant have it both ways
NRL, you can't have it both ways
I really dont thnk that the Panthers HAVE to win v the Roosters to prove anything – like 2003 when the Panthers came from nowhere to win the title, the Panthers were actually touched up late in the season at home no less by Freddy’s Roosters only to reverse the result in the game that counted.
Given the Panthers’ season thus far they only have to win the games that matter to secure a reaonable shot in the finals series.
Panther Soward will always have a point to prove
Actually at the time Penrith played their opponents including the Tigers on Sunday – 3. Based on the 2013 ladder the Panthers thru r1-17 had the 3rd easiest draw. The team with the easiest draw the Cowboys is coming 13th. Thus highlighting the closeness & unpredictability of the competition. Based on the current ladder after R17 Penrith has had the easiest draw but Manly whose draw was perceived to be one of the toughest has also benefitted from playing teams that have surprisingly been on the slide in 2014 to be coming 2nd.
Has the Panthers draw really been that favourable?
Actually at the time Penrith played their opponents including the Tigers on Sunday – 3. Based on the 2013 ladder the Panthers thru r1-17 had the 3rd easiest draw. The team with the easiest draw the Cowboys is coming 13th. Thus highlighting the closeness & unpredictability of the competition. Based on the current ladder after R17 Penrith has had the easiest draw but Manly whose draw was perceived to be one of the toughest has also benefitted from playing teams that have surprisingly been on the slide in 2014 to be coming 2nd.
Has the Panthers draw really been that favourable?
The Saturday 4:30pm timeslot was designed as a temporary time during March to cater for daylight savings in Qld – that 1 hour difference made a difference to attendances at Penrith games IMO, given warmer temperatures, closure of shops at 4PM, junior sports etc. I would hence rate it as an undesirable timeslot for those reasons. Perhaps if these games were played closer to the coast in March it might be desirable to other club’s fans but my view is that it isn’t a time slot that is embraced by fans in Penrith. I would suggest that in March, evening games in Penrith would be a far more suitable & comfortable time for fans to attend.
Does the NRL really care about the Panthers?
The tough draw that everyone talks about for the Panthers isnt so tough IMO (injuries permitting of course)
I think they can win the following games:
R14 v Dragons
R16 v Warriors
R17 v Wests Tigers
R18 v Brisbane
R20 v Cronulla
R22 v Dragons
R23 v Cowboys
R26 v Warriors
That should see them make the top 4
My half season NRL ladder predictions
Interesting though the only Warriors coach never to be sacked by the club
It's clear who the next NRL supercoach is
Well going by the Top 8 in recent seasons with 28-30 points being the standard cut off the Panthers only need 4-5 wins from their last 12 games plus the bye. Going further then that 34-36 points should get a top 4 spot. That means 7-8 wins from 12 plus the bye.
Looking at their draw in the 2nd half of the season & knowing their records well versus other clubs this is where I see the wins coming from:
R14 v Dragons (H)
R16 v Warriors (A)
R17 v Wests Tigers (A)
R18 v Brisbane (H)
R20 v Sharks (H)*
That should see them through to the eight
Then:
R22 v Dragons (A)
R23 v Cowboys (H)
R26 v Warriors (H)
That should give them the 36 points required to easily secure a top 4 spot.
It's clear who the next NRL supercoach is
This could take a while to get through all the positions if we are doing Part 1 Part 2 on each position over 2 days a piece 🙂
Ranking the NRL's fullbacks: Part 1