'14 // QF1 // Sat // Roosters 18-19 Panthers // Allianz

[Tommy Smith]

Is that with a gifted 40/20 that wasn't, a gifted try and a bloke incorrectly in the bin all within the first five minutes again?

Do you remember 2003 Tommy? A big Roosters victory in the preliminary rounds was emphatically reversed in the Grand Final, remember? Remember the Roosters standing behind their posts after Priddis scored? The looks on their faces? That was a team that believed they only had to turn up. There's a bit of that evident again from the team's supporters, you wanna hope your team respects their opposition, something they have been guilty of not doing quite a few times this year.

That was a great Penrith side. The spine didn't miss a minute all year either, I don't think. They would lap this current Panthers side (not when you're Premiership heavyweights in a couple of years time).

But that Panthers side would meet us in a GF this year. They were fantastic and if we were foolish enough to underestimate you back then, then we got what we deserved.

But back to the present, I believe our best is as good as any Premiership side in the last 15 years. We're a special side imo and have been blessed with a special window that will only last 2-4 years.

So if we play at our best then we'll win 13+. IMO.

If that makes me arrogant then so be it.

 

[Tommy Smith]

Can we all agree that if Penrith win, that "Penrith's draw this year..." thread will be bumped quicker than Mitchell Pearce can run down a fat Greg Inglis.

 

[Cockadoodledoo]

Is that with a gifted 40/20 that wasn't, a gifted try and a bloke incorrectly in the bin all within the first five minutes again?

Do you remember 2003 Tommy? A big Roosters victory in the preliminary rounds was emphatically reversed in the Grand Final, remember? Remember the Roosters standing behind their posts after Priddis scored? The looks on their faces? That was a team that believed they only had to turn up. There's a bit of that evident again from the team's supporters, you wanna hope your team respects their opposition, something they have been guilty of not doing quite a few times this year.

Big difference is that the Panthers were the minor premiers in 2003 and were consistently the best team that year. The Roosters did thump Penrith in the second round but Brad Fittler was speared into the ground shoulder first by Tony Puletua and was playing with one arm for the rest of the season. Across the park though the Panthers had a very good team. This Panther's team is definitely not the same and the Roosters no longer have such a reliance on one player.

That said the Panthers are well coached and play a no mistake brand of football. I am very worried about the way they are allowed to continuously walk off the mark, Moylan is a champion at it and this takes the markers out of play and allows easy yards to build a platform from. It will be tight but if we play to our ability then we will win, if not then who knows.

 

[umina panther]

Or if we lose it will be bumped just as quick

 

[Tommy Smith]

Haha true.

But only by that toad, Broncos2010.

 

[soc123_au]

Oh, there will be bumping. Lol.

 

[umina panther]

Roosters should win but we will have the most talented playmaker out the in Moylan and the best hooker. Also have players that simply can't be stopped IF we can get them in the right situations in Idris and Mansour. A Plum hit could also change the game at any moment.

 

[BuddPanther]

Idris is the only panther who would make our top side. It's funny how sensitive the Penrith fans are. I'm just stating the obvious. If the Roosters fire they'll blow Penrith away, that's not a boast it's just fact.

"$BW is the only Rooster who would make our top side.It's funny how worried the Roosters fans are. I'm just stating the obvious. If the Mighty Panthers fire they'll blow the Roosters away,that's not a boast it's just fact"

Mate better hope your hotheaded forwards don't lose it as I suspect they will when things don't go there way, cause they got nothin on the bench, just stating the facts. Panthers all the way

 

[TheFrog]

. This Panther's team is definitely not the same and the Roosters no longer have such a reliance on one player.

You know something. You are right. Have a look at the two sides that took the field on Grand Final Day 2003. Cross, Hegarty, Walker, Catic, Finch, Robinson were all plodders really. It's no surprise the Panthers won this match looking at the teams. Even Mini had a shocker. What is surprising was that the result was ever in doubt.

The thing is, at the time all and sundry considered this Roosters side to be the "benchmark". It took a premiership win for the Girdlers, Puletuas and Gowers to be recognised.

We are in the exact same place again. The Roosters are the benchmark, defending their title. As you've acknowledged above, the 2003 team depended on one player, only no-one knew it at the time. The only difference is this is not the Grand Final.

 

[soc123_au]

"$BW is the only Rooster who would make our top side.

I have to play devils advocate here, I would take Moa, Maria Hargraves & Cordner in a heartbeat. As much as I hate to say it I would also take Pearce over Wallace. Jennings is a Panther deep down anyway, so I will leave him out of the debate.

 

[BuddPanther]

I have to play devils advocate here, I would take Moa, Maria Hargraves & Cordner in a heartbeat. As much as I hate to say it I would also take Pearce over Wallace. Jennings is a Panther deep down anyway, so I will leave him out of the debate.

Yeah Rooster Cogburn only named one Panther so I returned serve. There are probably 4 or 5 that would easily make our team but that's not to be...
I am very confident our side won't need these type of players this weekend.
Like I said, if things don't go the Roosters way early, bet your bottom dollar panic will creep in and it will be all over. Their last 20 mins against Souffs was riveting (lol) & great form going into this game. Panthers by 13+

 

[blaza88z]

you have to love the Panthers fans mentality, all season they were saying they'd be happy to make the 8 and all of a sudden come finals time they're telling the Roosters fans (the premiers) that they're going to beat them in their own backyard against a team that has been hitting their straps as of late

let's be honest, all things being equal the Roosters win this game with ease

 

[TheFrog]

Actually, I was aiming at Top 4 pretty much all along, not sure about others. We are all individuals, you see. Maybe supporters of other teams are different.

Would you feel better if we all wrote our Top 4 team off just because we are playing the team that won the comp last year?

 

[soc123_au]

Nothing wrong with being confident. We will all know in 48 hours.

 

[MaxPower]

You definitely don't have to love bronchoe fans mentality. Quite the opposite.

 

[Nealo 12]

Our Panther boys don't have enough tough stickers on their bodies to make the chooks side !

 

[Sime_11]

ill keep my current panther squad, most of them just aren't sponsor material lol

just keep toiling lads, that's working for us.

 

[GongPanther]

The Panthers are coming off a second half of football that was minimal in mistakes.

I think the only one was the defensive lapse that allowed the Warriors their only try.

I hope the Roosters score the first try of the game.That way,they'll get a false sense of security.

Then we'll nab 'em like Manly did to us a fortnight ago.;-)

If anyone is going to the game:

Pre-game function/meet up, organised by The Den:

Attention Panther Fans!!!
After a fantastic season, The Penrith Panthers find themselves in the NRL Finals!!! Our first match will be vs Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium this Saturday, kick off at 5:50pm We are hoping to get as many panthers fans to cheer on our team!!

The Panthers Den will hold a pre game function at PJ Gallagher's Irish Pub at the Entertainment Quarter at Fox Studios. We are opening this up for ALL PANTHER FANS to meet up here before the game
.
We will have a section of the pub RESERVED for us panther fans to share a drink or two with your fellow supporters or grab a feed before the big game. We hope that all panther fans can miggle together and get to know each other better.The entire event is FREE ENTRY!!! You only pay for your drinks or your meal.

Persons under the age of 18 MUST be accompanied by a responsible adult or you will not be allowed to attend.

The event will start at 2pm, however you may turn later if you would like. However, we hope we can have everyone there and ready to leave for the Stadium at 5pm where we all will leave together in one massive group.

Any questions, please contact us at The Panthers Den facebook page or tweet us at @PanthersDen01

More information on the venue: www.pjseq.com.au/

OPEN INVITE TO ALL PANTHER FANS!!!

http://www.pantherpride.com.au/index.php/forum/game-day-discussion/1165-information-buying-tickets

So meet up and have a few drinks before the game.

 

[Blues Riff]

let's be honest, all things being equal the Roosters win this game with ease

With individual performances on the day, weather, an oval shaped ball, the perception of officials and luck (good and bad), all things are rarely equal.
Please forgive our optimism.

 

[Cockadoodledoo]

As you've acknowledged above, the 2003 team depended on one player, only no-one knew it at the time. The only difference is this is not the Grand Final.

You obviously know little about the Roosters or the team of that era. Most Roosters fans would concede we were pretty much a one man team. Fittler made the other players around look a lot better than they were. When he left they were exposed.