The Panthers have been in cruise control all season. Occasionally they have gone into overdrive but only when necessary. When you’ve won 3 titles in a row you need extra incentive to put the foot to the floor and this extra incentive comes in the form of the finals. Most of their losses have been close with depleted teams and without luck .
I suspect Ivan was only playing Dylan Edwards on one leg to ensure a top 4 finish. The only thing that could have curtailed the Panthers’ tilt for 4 in a row was missing out on the top 4 . Four sudden death wins in a row from outside the top 4 might have been a bridge too far even for Penrith .
Isaah Yeo has had an outstanding year with his post contact metres and defence and Jerome Luai is in career best form. Alamoti in defence can be a weak link though and Turuva can be suspect under the high ball.
As far as the Roosters are concerned no Sam Walker equals no X factor equals no premiership. I feel sorry for Walker. Made a scapegoat last year by Robbo for the Roosters’ lacklustre form , banished to reserves where he sustained a partially torn ACL, then reinstated when Robbo realised he wasn’t the cause of the problem. Then the partial tear turns into a complete one .
The Roosters defence has been porous for most of the year. They lack a bit of size without JWH . The form of Crichton and May has tapered off. The only “go to “ play I see for the Roosters is a Keary cross field kick for Young v To’o . There can only be one winner there.
So the Krispy Kremes will be flowing tonight . The Panthers by 14.