choc_soldier
Coach
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This season has felt like it has sped along at a rapid rate. It only felt like last week that the Panthers were at Huddersfield, squaring off against the Bradford Bulls for the World Club Challenge.
Now we are in the penultimate week of the 2004 NRL season - the prelim finals.
And luckily, the Panthers are there once again. They will be squaring off against a team who were also in the final 4 last year - the Bulldogs.
The winner gets a shot at premiership glory in the grand final. The loser is left with the "so close yet so far" feeling, one that cuts deeply.
The defending premiers against one of the raging premiership favourites.
The ultimate grand final would be the Roosters and Bulldogs this year. However, the Panthers, whom have been the forgotten team in the finals series, will have a say, and will be keen to have a shot at defending their title.
PANTHERS
Absolutely awesome in the first 20 minutes against the Dragons, putting on a display truly indicative of their current standing in the NRL. Fell away after that, and were quite lucky in the end to hang on. Our defence was good, whilst not being brilliant, but with the personnel that was missing in that match, it was perhaps one of our biggest ever wins. Due to a couple of shock results in the first week, the Panthers earnt the week off - but were only one point away from oblivion. Finals footy can be a wicked beast, and luckily, we got the good end of the bargain.
BULLDOGS
Have the team to go all the way. Can punish you in attack when you give them a sniff, and can be quite frugal in defence. El Masri's radar boot is always invaluable, and their forwards, once they get a sniff, are quite unstoppable, providing a platform for backs who can finish the job. The status of premiership favourites is one that is deserved.
2004 ENCOUNTERS
1 each.
In Round 12, the Panthers won an epic battle out west, prevailing 40-29 in one of the best games this season. We were gone for all money, but pegged back a 20 point deficit, scrapped it out, and snuck home in the dying minutes with two tries.
In Round 21, the Bulldogs returned the favour at Telstra Stadium, with a 46-20 pasting. We were in the contest after 30 minutes, but then they put on the afterburners, and made us look quite ordinary.
The Bulldogs are beatable just as much as the Panthers are a chance of winning this match. The Dogs will be favourites for this match, and deservedly so. But the Panthers will not meekly surrender, and with a week off to refresh, and also a seemingly fully fit squad, anything is possible. A repeat of the first 20 minutes of the Dragons, for more sustained and prolonged periods, will be very helpful.
The Bulldogs desperately want a grand final berth, and will play hard. They will accept no less. The Panthers will want to have another shot at glory, and defend the title they won in spectacular fashion last year.
It will be a tight one.
Strap yourselves in and get ready for the ride.
It promises to be a beauty.
Got to go with the heart here (not necessarily my head though) - Panthers by 8. ;-)
Now we are in the penultimate week of the 2004 NRL season - the prelim finals.
And luckily, the Panthers are there once again. They will be squaring off against a team who were also in the final 4 last year - the Bulldogs.
The winner gets a shot at premiership glory in the grand final. The loser is left with the "so close yet so far" feeling, one that cuts deeply.
The defending premiers against one of the raging premiership favourites.
The ultimate grand final would be the Roosters and Bulldogs this year. However, the Panthers, whom have been the forgotten team in the finals series, will have a say, and will be keen to have a shot at defending their title.
PANTHERS
Absolutely awesome in the first 20 minutes against the Dragons, putting on a display truly indicative of their current standing in the NRL. Fell away after that, and were quite lucky in the end to hang on. Our defence was good, whilst not being brilliant, but with the personnel that was missing in that match, it was perhaps one of our biggest ever wins. Due to a couple of shock results in the first week, the Panthers earnt the week off - but were only one point away from oblivion. Finals footy can be a wicked beast, and luckily, we got the good end of the bargain.
BULLDOGS
Have the team to go all the way. Can punish you in attack when you give them a sniff, and can be quite frugal in defence. El Masri's radar boot is always invaluable, and their forwards, once they get a sniff, are quite unstoppable, providing a platform for backs who can finish the job. The status of premiership favourites is one that is deserved.
2004 ENCOUNTERS
1 each.
In Round 12, the Panthers won an epic battle out west, prevailing 40-29 in one of the best games this season. We were gone for all money, but pegged back a 20 point deficit, scrapped it out, and snuck home in the dying minutes with two tries.
In Round 21, the Bulldogs returned the favour at Telstra Stadium, with a 46-20 pasting. We were in the contest after 30 minutes, but then they put on the afterburners, and made us look quite ordinary.
The Bulldogs are beatable just as much as the Panthers are a chance of winning this match. The Dogs will be favourites for this match, and deservedly so. But the Panthers will not meekly surrender, and with a week off to refresh, and also a seemingly fully fit squad, anything is possible. A repeat of the first 20 minutes of the Dragons, for more sustained and prolonged periods, will be very helpful.
The Bulldogs desperately want a grand final berth, and will play hard. They will accept no less. The Panthers will want to have another shot at glory, and defend the title they won in spectacular fashion last year.
It will be a tight one.
Strap yourselves in and get ready for the ride.
It promises to be a beauty.
Got to go with the heart here (not necessarily my head though) - Panthers by 8. ;-)
