There were a few moments out of last Sunday’s game against Parramatta that should instil every Penrith fan with hope, and every other rugby league supporter with a tinge of fear.
And it has nothing to do with some scintillating tries, good individual form or defence that has improved remarkably since the start of the season.
It was all about one thing: having fun.
For the first time this season, I noticed the side looked like they were enjoying themselves again – the type of fun that had them labelled as being arrogant at different times during their Premiership run.
The type of fun that even Ivan and Nathan Cleary partook in, both in the post-match press conference when they produced something of a comedy act that could get a run at the EVAN Theatre, or during the game when the latter took a harsh reaction from the crowd in his stride.
Penrith having fun is dangerous for the rest of the NRL.
Slowly, bit by bit, the Panthers are piecing together the components of success they’ve had over the past four years for a tilt at this year’s Premiership – and it might just happen to come at the perfect time.
As suggested last week, Ivan Cleary will carefully manage this run to the Finals now that the State of Origin period is over. With no byes left, the Panthers must ensure their big stars aren’t completely wiped out by the time the big games arrive.
Loads will be managed, players will miss games. Trust the process.
Hence the decision to rest Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo this week, perfectly timed and well deserved.
The Panthers take on South Sydney at CommBank Stadium this Friday night on a short back-up from Sunday’s clash with the Eels. The Panthers wouldn’t have been pushed all that much this week – not with that kind of workload.
They’ll roll into this match off the back of the win over the Eels looking for the same kind of game plan. They were happy to go with the Eels for the first half and then put the foot down in the second. It almost put Parramatta into a false sense of security.
The Rabbitohs have had no luck this year. They’ve hardly had their best side on the field at all and injuries to key players, often for extended periods, has hampered their run.
It’s at this time of year when the mountain just feels too hard to climb for many sides, and the Bunnies would be feeling that at the moment. In fact there’s every chance this could be the white flag game where it all just falls apart and those September holidays start to feel closer.
Souths are sitting 16th on the competition ladder – it’s been a woeful season, and while any Wayne Bennett side deserves respect, the trajectory of these two sides on Friday night couldn’t be any more different.
It was good to see the likes of Lindsay Smith and Izack Tago up their games last weekend – they’ve been a little underwhelming at times this year but they both stood up and produced probably their best games of the season.
Unfortunately, Penrith’s unfortunate record with the Match Review Committee has continued and Tago will be miss this Friday night’s game.
A tougher task with some key personnel missing, but Penrith should still have too much class. Comfortable, but not a blow-out.
Tip: Panthers by 12.
Penrith and South Sydney play at CommBank Stadium at 8pm this Friday, July 18. The game is live on Fox Sports, Kayo and Channel Nine.
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.