Penrith head back to Bathurst this Saturday without a string of top-line stars, taking on a Newcastle side that is slipping deeper and deeper into the rugby league abyss every week.
The Panthers will be without Dylan Edwards, Brian To’o, Nathan Cleary, Liam Martin and Isaah Yeo for Saturday evening’s clash, and while Ivan Cleary has had to navigate such representative pressures before, he’s traditionally done so with a few more competition points in the bank than he has now.
If Cleary can guide Penrith through this Origin period unscathed and have them finish higher on the ladder than where they are as you read this (13th), then it will be among his greatest regular season achievements.
The Knights are also slightly impacted by Origin with captain Kalyn Ponga unavailable this week due to Maroons selection. Newcastle will miss his effort, but it has to be said he’s been below his best this year – despite trying his backside off every week.
Newcastle come into this match in 15th spot with just three wins this season and the worst attacking record in the competition. They aren’t in a good spot at the moment, and Ponga and coach Adam O’Brien admitted as much in the post-match press conference last week following their loss to Parramatta.
And with O’Brien tinkering with the team’s halves again (an issue throughout the 2024 season), it’s questionable if things will get better for Newcastle any time soon. Las Vegas and Dylan Brown can’t come quickly enough.
But they’d give themselves a shot this Saturday given the amount of cattle Penrith have missing.
The Panthers are already suffering in terms of depth and inexperience, and it will be amplified on Saturday. But this is certainly the opportunity for this young squad to step up and stamp their authority – to show that they’re not the also-rans of this era, but valuable contributors.
And while most of those called up this week have started to build their experience and confidence, perhaps it’s been a little intimidating to do it with the club’s stars largely still there. In other words, filling in here or there when a player is out is vastly different to a collective group coming together for a mission all at once, and that could work in the side’s favour.
Penrith need a game where they can tighten up their defence. They’re still leaking way too many points, exemplified by the 30 they conceded against the Cowboys a fortnight ago. Penrith conceding 30 points at any point over the last five years would have been extraordinary, now it’s happening regularly.
With all due respect to the Knights, this is a good opportunity to fix some of those issues. The Knights hardly set the world on fire in attack so it’s a chance to put up the brick wall and get some confidence.
It goes without saying that some of Penrith’s more experienced players need to step up into leadership roles this weekend. The likes of Mitch Kenny and Moses Leota. Those guys need to lead the way and then those called in for back-up can ease into the match.
Ultimately this Origin period will make or break Penrith’s season. It is not as comfortable as it once was. But with challenge comes opportunity, and if the Panthers can get through this – who knows what might be next.
The result here could be more about Newcastle’s story than that of Penrith. They’re in a world of pain and I can’t see things turning.
Tip: Panthers by 20.
Penrith and Newcastle play at Carrington Park on Saturday, May 24 at 5.30pm. The game is live on Fox Sports and Kayo.
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.