Nathan Cleary’s head knock in the 8th minute of last Thursday’s loss to Melbourne may just be one of the most important moments of the season for the Penrith Panthers.
Cleary will be back, of course.
But it was the side’s response to their playmaker leaving the field that told you all you need to know about the Panthers and their Premiership defence.
Faced with the prospect of playing the remainder of the game without their inspirational leader and at one point down 14-0 to a side that rarely gives up such leads, Penrith forced their way back into the contest – showing the kind of grit, determination and attitude they have built their game on over the past five years.
They may not have got the chocolates at the end of the day, but rest assured these Panthers are well and truly bought in for the 2025 season – write them off at your peril.
Any fans worried about Penrith’s 1-2 start to the season need take a chill pill and relax. The first five or six rounds of the competition are never a true indication of how things are going to pan out during the year.
There’s a lot playing out in that first six weeks. Teams who have had since November to prepare for the year hit the ground running, but will ultimately be tested when injuries hit and the better teams hit their straps.
Those who went deep into the Finals last year and/or had significant international representation have had shortened pre-seasons, and indeed these opening rounds are often used as part of the preparation for the long year ahead.
And so an old adage rings true – one game at a time.
And for Penrith that game comes on Thursday night against South Sydney, who after two wins to start the season went down to Cronulla last weekend in a game that showed the Rabbitohs have plenty of work to do if they plan to be a force under Wayne Bennett this season. They weren’t in the same league as the Sharks – they seemed off the pace and lacked energy. And when you consider they only just got home against the Dolphins in the opening round and beat the Dragons by a point a week later, the form line isn’t all that impressive.
But the big factor in this match is obviously no Nathan Cleary. His mandatory exclusion from this game under the NRL’s concussion policy evens the playing field significantly.
The Panthers will rely on Trent Toelau to guide them around the field, a huge call from coach Ivan Cleary given the availability of Brad Schneider. Toelau is being given his chance to shine, and may just take it with both hands.
It is games like this where experience counts. We need the likes of Moses Leota, Isaah Yeo and Mitch Kenny to step up – they must assert their dominance on the contest.
And it goes without saying Penrith must tighten up their defence, which has probably been one of the more surprising issues to start the year given how rock solid it has been in recent years. The Panthers have conceded 90 points so far this season – only the Roosters, Cowboys and Eels have posted worse.
Perhaps that would be the big thing worrying coach Ivan Cleary at present. He knows how much he has built this side’s success on defence in recent seasons, and if that cornerstone is damaged, the road ahead may be bumpier than expected.
The result in this Round 4 opener will not determine where the Panthers end up this season. As noted earlier, we’re still in the midst of the adjustment period for the new year and Penrith have had a shorter preparation for the year than most. Win or lose, a performance with the enthusiasm and guts of last week’s clash with Melbourne is all you could ask for. If that happens, Cleary’s men should be too good for their 2021 Grand Final opponents.
Tip: Panthers by 8.
Penrith and South Sydney play on Thursday, March 27 at Accor Stadium from 8pm. The game is live on Fox League, Kayo and Channel Nine, as well as SEN 1170.
Troy Dodds
Troy Dodds is the Weekender's Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia's leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.