from Foxsports.com.au
Lack of credit annoys Priddis
September 11, 2004
IT still bothers Penrith hooker Luke Priddis that some people believe the Sydney Roosters were the best team in the NRL last year.
Penrith won the 2003 minor premiership and then beat the Roosters 18-6 in a classic grand final but the critics have not completely sheathed their knives.
The Panthers went a step closer to defending their premiership crown last night with a thrilling 31-30 victory over St George Illawarra at Penrith Stadium.
It also helped dispel the commonly held belief that the 2004 premiership is a two-horse race between the Roosters and the Bulldogs.
"It gets to you a bit with people saying the Roosters were the best side last year," said Priddis, who scored a 17th minute try last night as the home side shot to a 24-0 lead.
"You sit back and say 'well I think we were because we won the minor premiership and then went on to win the premiership itself'.
"Everyone has their own opinions.
"We'll just sit back and see what happens this weekend and then work out what we have to do next weekend to progress to the next round."
Presuming North Queensland and Canberra drop out of the finals race this weekend, the Panthers will meet either Brisbane or Melbourne in one of two semi-finals next week.
"Last year it was the same thing - the Roosters and Bulldogs were meant to reach the grand final," Priddis pointed out.
"What all the punters must realise is that there's eight teams in the finals and while we lose two sides this week, it's down to six next week.
"I think this competition has proved this year that on their day, any side can beat anyone."
Coach John Lang said he was particularly pleased with the intensity of the Panthers' defence last night when they held out the Dragons for repeated sets of six in the second half.
"They're a gun side Saints and they were throwing everything at us," said Lang.
"We were coming up and making the tackles."
Trent Waterhouse, who scored the opening two tries and set up the third for Preston Campbell, and Test prop Joel Clinton were standouts for the Panthers.
An unsung hero was Shane Rodney, who continually bent the Dragons backwards in the absence of Kiwi international back-rowers Tony Puletua (ankle) and Joe Galuvao (shoulder).
"I'll give a big rap to Shane Rodney," said Priddis.
"He was struggling a couple of weeks ago and he's been one of our best players in the last three weeks.
"His defence has lifted the side as a whole.
"Just the confidence that everyone's getting off everyone else.
"You see Shane Rodney making those great tackles and Ben Pomeroy and Danny Galea come out and make some sensational tackles as well ... it's great to have that enthusiasm.
"If we can just get our options right from a few of our senior players, including myself, I think we'll be in for a good show next week regardless of who we play."
Australian international centre Luke Lewis (shoulder) and Galuvao are expected back next weekend while Puletua, who will test his ankle on Monday, is in most doubt.
