Caged Panther
First Grade
- Messages
- 5,181
The only real change I can see happening is Coote or Wesser being dropped for Gordon.
IMO this would be a tough call on either Wesser or Coote but Gordon is just our most consistently performed back
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Round 18 - Panthers vs Knights preview
The Penrith Panthers have intensified their training regime this week, signalling their intent to make a push for a finals spot, starting with Friday night's home game against the Knights.
After re-entering the top eight after last weeks win over a hapless Eels outfit, coach Matt Elliott altered Penriths normal training methods of longer, less-exhaustive sessions, and replaced them with shorter, more-rigorous routines, designed to prime the Panthers for an assault on this years finals.
Having renamed the same 17 that extended Parramattas poor season, Elliott will be hoping the Panthers can gain momentum and further its position up the ladder. 17-year-old HSC student Wade Graham plays only the fourth game of his career, but continues to grow in confidence, evidenced by last weeks impressive performance where he showcased all the sublime skills of a playmaker the cross-field bomb for Lewis try, the cut-out pass for Wessers four points, and a sturdy defensive effort when targeted in the second half.
Captain Petero Civoniceva, backing up after QLDs series win over NSW, and Frank Pritchard were also at their devastating best, amassing more than three hundred metres gained between them.
The Knights, on the other hand, will be looking to keep in touch with the top eight after a 24-16 loss to the Dragons last round. Newcastle has been one of this years most surprising teams, with most pundits predicting them to finish near last place. But after showing some strong early-season form, the Knights have now lost three in a row, and, like most other teams, will be tested over the coming weeks. Inspirational skipper Danny Buderus is still suffering from a knee injury that kept him out from last weeks loss, forcing playmaker Kurt Gidley to dummy-half, while fellow NSW representative Ben Cross is also out with a similar injury.
Former Parramatta second-rower Zeb Taia has performed admirably at lock for the Knights this year, and is among the team leaders in tackles, metres gained and offloads, making him one of Newcastles most effective forwards in their unheralded pack.
The key match up:
Masada Iosefa Vs Kurt Gidley
Both players replace experienced campaigners in the critical dummy-half position. Veteran Luke Priddis has been a mainstay in the number nine guernsey since his arrival from the Broncos in 2002, but now finds himself coming off the bench after a knee injury sustained in round 14. Iosefa joins Graham, Tim Grant, and Lachlan Coote as a formidable under 20s combination in the top grade. He also scored a crucial solo try in last week's game against the Eels.
Gidley, on the other hand, has been brought in to replace the departing Danny Buderus, purely to be closer to the action for the Knights. Having also played in the dummy-half position for NSW, Gidley has been Newcastle's go-to man, and his battle with the young Iosefa in the middle of the ruck will go a long way to deciding who gets the better field position for either side.
Where it will be won:
Last week against the Eels, the Panthers demonstrated the ability to both crash through the middle of the field with Civoniceva and the rejuvenated Tony Puletua, and also spread the ball early to speedster Michael Jennings and the barnstorming Frank Pritchard. If Penrith can replicate that kind of positive attitude that has their experienced players leading from the front, the young under 20s stars can flourish against a Knights team that may be rudderless without their inspiring skipper in the middle of the ruck.
