It’s safe to say that for the first time in five years the Panthers’ air of invincibility has taken a serious hit.
Penrith supporters are divided as to whether the team can rally over the next two weeks, enter the Finals and mount a real challenge for a fourth consecutive premiership.
There are two schools of thought on this one.
On the one hand, we have the blindly loyal and optimistic Panthers supporter who feels that once Nathan Cleary comes back and the side is at full strength, Penrith will take that ‘last ride’, destroy every team in its path and once again hold aloft the NRL Premiership trophy.
On the other hand, we have the blindly pessimistic but equally loyal supporter who believes that Penrith are in huge trouble and not even the return of the best player in the world can save them from being knocked out in straight sets.
For once I’m not going to bombard anyone with my opinion. I’m just going to put forward some thoughts and let you decide.
Look, the positive Panthers supporter has a strong case. The side finds itself in this predicament of being in fourth place, due to a series of unfortunate multiple suspensions and injuries to key players on a regular basis.
I mean, the best halfback in the NRL has missed almost half the season. So, his return will be a huge boost for the side. Cleary provides leadership, direction and has proven himself a clutch player time and time again. He’s a winner, no doubt about that.
The side is also expected to be at full strength come week one of the Finals.
Barring any further injuries, Scott Sorensen is expected to return in Round 27. This will finally allow Penrith to field its strongest forward pack of the season.
Finally, the Panthers are a battle-hardened team, they are packed with experienced players who will not be over-awed playing Finals football. If Cleary stays healthy, there’s no reason why Penrith can’t win another title.
It’s a lot to put on one player but he can handle it.
Now for the flip side.
Penrith are playing poor football at the wrong end of the season. Sure, Cleary being out is a huge blow but there are plenty of superstars left in the side who are not playing up to their potential or are terribly out of form.
Brian To’o hasn’t been the same since the whole ‘shopping around’ controversy reared its ugly head about a month ago.
Dylan Edwards is also out of sorts, raising questions about whether his injury has properly healed while Jarome Luai is looking anything like a top-shelf halfback with his frantic play and game management virtually non-existent at crucial times.
And I don’t know what’s happened to Liam Martin.
The backline is a mess with players running the wrong lines and angles, there’s no cohesion in attack with Brad Schneider often getting in the way rather than facilitating anything.
Finally, the Panthers defence is being broached way too easily when the opposition is attacking 20 metres out.
So can Penrith find their spark and win or are they a punch-drunk boxer just waiting for that final knockout punch to be delivered?
You decide.
Peter Lang
Peter Lang is an experienced sports writer, who has been covering rugby league for several decades. He first wrote Lang on League for the Weekender in the 1990s, and worked for Panthers on its famous Panthers Magazine for several years.