Penrith travel to Suncorp Stadium on Thursday night with an enormous amount of pressure on their backs as they face a Dolphins side that finally got their first win of the season last weekend, and would feel the defending Premiers are ripe for the picking.
As much as last week’s 22-18 loss to the Cowboys at CommBank Stadium was disappointing, there was at least a feeling that Penrith is getting closer to their second win of the season.
But of concern again was Penrith’s inability to control the momentum of the game. It’s an art they’ve been able to perfect over the past five seasons, otherwise known as the ‘system’ that just keeps rolling along.
Right now though Penrith appears consistently vulnerable – whether it be poor defensive decisions (even from some of the side’s better players), poor reads in attack or errors at crucial periods.
This is simply not the same Penrith side that has won four straight Premierships.
And while we know that’s the case on paper, what has surprised all of us is that the mindset appears different to previous years. Something just isn’t right between the ears, and Ivan Cleary needs to fix it before the season starts to get away.
It is still early in the competition, but the Panthers will be heavily impacted during the Origin period so banking wins now is critical. Going into the sixth round of the competition in third last spot is not what anyone would have predicted, but the side must come out of this weekend in a better position – or things could start to get really concerning.
Penrith welcome back Dylan Edwards for this clash with the Dolphins, and it’ll be a welcome return – his organisational skills at the back are first class and his reliability under the high ball valuable.
The other big change this week sees Blaize Talagi handed the number six number for the first time to partner Nathan Cleary in the halves.
The Panthers have been loathed to make such a move but their hand was forced when Jack Cole was deemed a category one concussion last week – opening the door for what most feel is a much-needed switch.
Not that Cole was going all that terribly, though he’s had some moments he’d rather forget over the opening month of the competition. But Talagi will hopefully provide that spark that is missing at the moment – that boost of energy that the side so desperately needs.
The Dolphins will aim to keep it simple in this one. Run hard, tackle well, kick long. Penrith’s recent form suggests if you stick to a simple game plan long enough, you will beat them.
The danger in that of course is that if the Penrith of old suddenly rises from the ashes, you’re in trouble pretty quickly.
I’d suggest Ivan Cleary knows most of what he needs to fix moving forward.
There is no way that the Panthers are training and preparing the same way they have for the past five years and are dishing out performances like they have in recent times. Something isn’t right. Something is out of place. Cleary may not necessarily say he has all the answers when speaking with the media, but he most likely does – it’s just how quickly he can implement the required solutions.
The Dolphins got the win they deserved against the Titans last weekend after a tough first month that hasn’t been without its disruptions. They are a decent footy side that will probably finish middle of the road this season.
I think after three weeks of giving Penrith the benefit of the doubt, critics are now convinced the side can’t win the Premiership this year; and some have even suggested a Finals berth is unlikely. Sounds like the perfect time to prove some people wrong.
And you know what? When you prove people wrong, it’s best to do it in style. Watch the boys fire this week – you’ve been waiting for it, and it’s going to happen.
I’ve just got one of those feelings…
Tip: Panthers by 18.
The Panthers and Dolphins play on Thursday, April 10 at Suncorp Stadium at 7.50pm. The game is live on Nine, Fox League and 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.