The next time the Panthers team list comes out on Tuesday, make sure you take a careful look at the players listed 18-22 each week on the team sheet. I promise you’ll find some neat ‘easter eggs’ in each list.
For those who don’t know an ‘easter egg’ is an expression which means a ‘hidden surprise’.
There is so much to see and discover in this group of players. There are both experienced players and young players who are next in line listed and if you look carefully, you might even find the next big thing.
Players on the extended bench are picked because they can be used at any time and rotated into the starting 17 at a moment’s notice.
These players have to be ready to go, they are the ‘next man up’ if you will.
There are players that shadow the injured, especially at training and can be inserted into the starting 17 at any time throughout the week.
Then, there is my favourite type of player, the ultimate ‘easter egg’, yes I’m talking about ‘the next big thing.
If we look at some of the players selected on the extended bench during the first 10 games we can find examples of all the above examples.
The experienced player, Daine Laurie and Matt Eisenhuth lead this group as well as Brad Schnieder. They are usually first ‘cab off the rank’ when a player in the backline or forwards is injured or suspended.
You need experience in the team to steady the ship and not rock the boat.
The next wave coming through are players with some first-grade experience but who also have the potential to become a regular first grader. Talent like Mavrik Geyer, Luke Sommerton and just recently Luron Patea and Casey McLean.
Then there’s my favourite type of player, the boom rookie. The rookie takes the form of a player who may not yet be ready for first grade but the club see he’s a potential first grade player and maybe even a star of the future.
Over the last 10 rounds one name stands out as a player who is on the cusp of making his first-grade debut, his name is Billy Scott.
For those who don’t know Billy Scott is a talented hooker who is already signed until the end of 2027, such is the faith and expectation the club has on his potential.
He is seen by many in the club as Mitch Kenny’s understudy and the player who may eventually be his successor.
You see the ‘extended bench’ is more than just a list of names to be glanced over and ignored because most of the players get cut well before game day.
The extended bench represents a group of players who work their backside off every week to be ready to play first grade at a moment’s notice.
It represents a field of dreams for the next big thing and It rewards the player waiting for their next chance to play one more first grade game.
While for Billy Scott, it means he is one more step closer to realising his dream of making his first-grade debut.
That’s right at Penrith you must ‘earn’ your starting 17 spot, it’s not just something which is given to you because like former Panthers player David Applebee once famously said;
“To be a Panther is an honour, a privilege… we don’t just let anyone bastard in.”
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.