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Redemption. That'd the word on my lips today. Redemption. Now nothing can fully redeem what happened when we last played the Panthers in that Grand Final, nothing will ever replace the hurt and make it okay. However, games like this are a shot at some form of redemption, even just a little bit.
That's right, it game day!!! What a huge day it is and what a huge occasion it will be tonight as we go up against Penrith in a Friday night blockbuster! The Grand Final rematch. There's going to be plenty of feeling in this one that's for sure, there will be fireworks. Years ago, Rabbitohs vs Panthers was just a game but since 2020, it has become one hell of a rivalry. I've spoken about my intense dislike for the Panthers many times this week and I'm sure the players feel it too. They certainly feel it. We haven't forgotten about how they disrespected us after the 2020 Prelim, we haven't forgotten about how they laughed at Mansour and Arrow at various times when they were injured last year, and we haven't forgotten about how Kikau mocked us with his song after the GF. They think they're entitled, they're arrogant, cocky, jumped up little pricks that think they're just so much better than everyone else. My blood boils just talking about it. it's personal between the players tonight.
There's no bigger challenge then going up against the Panthers on their home turf. They're the defending Premiers and have been the benchmark team these first few Rounds. Add to that that I don't think they've lost a game at home since 2019 and you can see just how big of a challenge tonight will be for us. They have one hell of a side and I have no doubt they'll be at their best tonight, no doubt about that. Our first area of focus is matching it with their forward pack, something we weren't able to do at times when we played last year. Fisher-Harris, Koroisau, Kikau, Yeo; It's one hell of a forward pack so we need to muscle up and take it to them this week. But even if we can do that through the middle, the job is only half done because they still have one of the best backlines in the comp. Edwards, Crichton, Tago. Luai, and obviously Cleary is going to be back too which will be another big focus for us. They just have strike everywhere you look and we have to match that or we'll be dead in the water against them again.
Are we up for the challenge? Time will tell and I bloody well hope we are. We have to be, we simply have to be. Kind of like playing the Roosters, if a game against the Panthers doesn't fire you up, nothing will! Tonight is a great chance to see where we're really at in these early stages of the Season and to test ourselves against the best. We need to come out with the intensity we showed last week right from the opening set, we need to hold the ball, execute in attack and defend for our lives. We'll have to be at the top of our game but I know the boys can do it!!
So a huge game against a fellow Premiership contender and a team we really dislike. The Grand Final rematch!! Let's get out there and show this comp what we're made of!! Let's stick it to these Penrith pricks tonight and wipe that smug little smile off their faces!! I know the boys can do this, let's get right behind them!!! Letssssgoooooo!!
That's right, it game day!!! What a huge day it is and what a huge occasion it will be tonight as we go up against Penrith in a Friday night blockbuster! The Grand Final rematch. There's going to be plenty of feeling in this one that's for sure, there will be fireworks. Years ago, Rabbitohs vs Panthers was just a game but since 2020, it has become one hell of a rivalry. I've spoken about my intense dislike for the Panthers many times this week and I'm sure the players feel it too. They certainly feel it. We haven't forgotten about how they disrespected us after the 2020 Prelim, we haven't forgotten about how they laughed at Mansour and Arrow at various times when they were injured last year, and we haven't forgotten about how Kikau mocked us with his song after the GF. They think they're entitled, they're arrogant, cocky, jumped up little pricks that think they're just so much better than everyone else. My blood boils just talking about it. it's personal between the players tonight.
There's no bigger challenge then going up against the Panthers on their home turf. They're the defending Premiers and have been the benchmark team these first few Rounds. Add to that that I don't think they've lost a game at home since 2019 and you can see just how big of a challenge tonight will be for us. They have one hell of a side and I have no doubt they'll be at their best tonight, no doubt about that. Our first area of focus is matching it with their forward pack, something we weren't able to do at times when we played last year. Fisher-Harris, Koroisau, Kikau, Yeo; It's one hell of a forward pack so we need to muscle up and take it to them this week. But even if we can do that through the middle, the job is only half done because they still have one of the best backlines in the comp. Edwards, Crichton, Tago. Luai, and obviously Cleary is going to be back too which will be another big focus for us. They just have strike everywhere you look and we have to match that or we'll be dead in the water against them again.
Are we up for the challenge? Time will tell and I bloody well hope we are. We have to be, we simply have to be. Kind of like playing the Roosters, if a game against the Panthers doesn't fire you up, nothing will! Tonight is a great chance to see where we're really at in these early stages of the Season and to test ourselves against the best. We need to come out with the intensity we showed last week right from the opening set, we need to hold the ball, execute in attack and defend for our lives. We'll have to be at the top of our game but I know the boys can do it!!
So a huge game against a fellow Premiership contender and a team we really dislike. The Grand Final rematch!! Let's get out there and show this comp what we're made of!! Let's stick it to these Penrith pricks tonight and wipe that smug little smile off their faces!! I know the boys can do this, let's get right behind them!!! Letssssgoooooo!!
