Penrith break ground at their new temporary home ground this Friday night when they host a Roosters side that appears to be in for a long season if last week’s performance against Brisbane is anything to go by.
Trent Robinson would have to be worried about what he saw last Friday against a rejuvenated Broncos – and while he has plenty of injury concerns, depth issues and no serious recruitment to blame, there’s no doubt his side appeared off the pace at times throughout the contest.
Starved of possession, they simply couldn’t capitalise on a good start and looked no match for Michael Maguire’s side once they got in their rhythm.
Despite this, beware the wounded Rooster. Trent Robinson is not used to his side copping 50-point hidings and it rarely happens two weeks in a row. They would see this Friday’s match against the defending Premiers as the perfect opportunity to right the wrongs of last week and prove they’ve still got something to offer this competition.
For Penrith, the question hovering over them is simple: how severe is the Vegas hangover?
No matter what Ivan Cleary may have put in place to ensure coming down from such an event was smooth, nothing can take away from the reality that you’re going from the bright lights of Vegas and such an amazing rugby league spectacle to what is likely to be a half-full CommBank Stadium in Parramatta.
But while many may expect the Panthers to struggle through this initial period as they get used to the week-to-week competition again, we are reminded about just how often Penrith tosses aside what is supposed to happen.
From winning Premierships in the COVID bubble, to going back-to-back and then adding two more titles, from losing key players to now losing their home ground; the Panthers simply face every new challenge with strength and most of the time, overcome it.
What other side could have lost the best player in the game consistently each season for huge chunks and still kept winning, before going on to lift the trophy?
This is a rare side, a legendary side, and anyone who still doubts it must have fool written across their forehead.
There will of course be bumps in the road, and even not winning the Premiership this year does not dampen its legendary status, but after seeing the full suite of round one matches, it is hard now to imagine this Penrith side is not there when the whips are cracking yet again.
Penrith will only be stronger this weekend compared to the side that beat the Sharks in Vegas, with Brian To’o back and Liam Henry also a chance of returning to the side. The Roosters meanwhile are without Victor Radley who suffered a nasty knock at Allianz Stadium last Thursday night.
The key for Penrith in this one will be not getting too far ahead of themselves and sticking to the game plan.
If the Panthers play their usual game, and be patient, they should be too good for a Roosters side that is lacking any serious creativity in the halves and has lost too much grunt up front.
The Roosters will win games this year on reputation alone – there are still star names on the team sheet – but they simply don’t have the cattle to be playing Finals football.
They should be easy cannon fodder for the Panthers if that Vegas hangover doesn’t suddenly rear its head.
Tip: Panthers by 16.
Penrith play the Roosters at 8pm on Friday, March 14 at CommBank Stadium. The game is live on Fox League, Kayo and Nine. Referee: Todd Smith. Bunker: Grant Atkins.
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.