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Penrith have the firepower to make NRL top four in 2019
February 27, 2019
At just 21, Nathan Cleary is doing things not even the great Johnathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk had achieved at the same age.
Now, on the back of the amazing rise of their young halfback, Penrith have the best chance to win their first NRL premiership since 2003.
After years of steadily building a squad capable of competing for the title, the time has arrived.
James Maloney’s signing last year gave them a veteran playmaker, a leader and a proven winner. He brought direction and simplicity to the Panthers in 2018
Despite the absence of Cleary for most of the early rounds through injury, Maloney helped guide the emerging Panthers to top spot on the ladder after round 13.
They couldn’t finish it off, but they will be better for the experience.
Anthony Griffin is better placed than anyone to assess Penrith’s chances. (Tim Hunter)
Forming NSW’s successful Origin halves combination will give the pair further confidence they can take that next step and deliver the Panthers a premiership.
Cleary at just 21, is a great player. His progression since 2016 is arguably the best of any half we have seen.
When you consider Thurston and Cronk didn’t start in the halves until they were 22, Cleary’s rise is even more amazing.
With Maloney, at times he will miss a tackle or give away a penalty, but he balances that out with his leadership and direction. He is also an 86 per cent goalkicker.
Penrith and Cleary have the luxury of learning from Maloney.
Maloney has the luxury of playing with a great young half. They complement each other.
Oh, and Cleary kicks goals at nearly 80 per cent as well.
Opportunity knocks for Jack Hetherington. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)
THE GAPS
Penrith have eight Test and Origin players on the books. Their juniors and younger players that have been developing look ready to go to another level.
But there are some holes to fill.
Tyrone Peachey is gone. As is Trent Merrin and Corey Harawira-Naera. The recruitment of Tyrell Fuimaono and Tim Grant will help, however Jack Hetherington and Moses Leota will be desperate for the extra opportunity.
FORWARDS
The Panthers have a great pack of forwards. Props Reagan Campbell-Gillard and James Tamou give the rest of the pack a solid launching pad from which to work.
Campbell-Gillard continued his progression as one of the NRL’s best front rowers last year by earning Blues selection. He and Tamou will be joined by Kiwi international James Fisher-Harris as the starting middle forwards.
Fisher-Harris is a brutal defender and is going into his fourth season. With the experience of Tamou and the progression of his two younger teammates, this group is capable of anything.
Penrith’s quality extends to their edge forwards as well.
Isaah Yeo is the type of player every club needs. Great attitude, big and fast and happy to do whatever is best for the team. His talents will best be used on the right edge.
Viliame Kikau will miss the first couple of rounds, but will terrorise his opponents on the left edge when he returns.
Kikau will be better prepared in 2019, particularly in defence. Moving to the edge last year, he struggled a bit early on, as most young forwards do, but as his confidence grew so did his defensive performances.
THE BENCH
Competition will be hot for the interchange jerseys. Penrith have developed a lot of depth in recent years.
Leota and Hetherington should be there in the 17. Leota is a very good middle forward and Hetherington has enormous potential.
Then there are the new recruits Fuimaona and Grant, Hame Sele along with Sam McKendry (subject to fitness) and Kade Ellis.
A fit Dallin Watene Zelezniak would be a very good thing. (Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
THE BACKS
The outside backs look very dangerous.
Assuming Dallin Watene-Zelezniak starts on the right wing, the four starters are all classy representative players.
Watene-Zelezniak gets it done at both ends of the field. He’s a great finisher but also takes the tough carries to get his team out of trouble.
Josh Mansour on the left is like having another forward. He averaged 140 metres a game in 2019. His partner on the left, Waqa Blake, is developing into one of the game’s best centres.
He is very quick and is growing in confidence. Last year he was the club’s leading try scorer (13).
Dean Whare is due a big year. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)
Right centre Dean Whare is right in his prime now at age 29. The Kiwi international had a terrible run of injuries in 2016 and 2017. He bounced back into top form last year and could still have his best football in front of him.
The depth will come from Malakai Watene-Zelezniak — returning after a season with the Wests Tigers — and Tyrone Phillips and Caleb Aitkens.
Dylan Edwards looks set to return to the fullback position. Before his injury in round eight last year he was averaging over 140 metres a game.
HOOKER BATTLE
Sione Katoa will reportedly hold off Wade Egan to start at No.9. Katoa is a rugged defender and very skilful. Egan is a very talented player. He has a touch of class about him and will be pushing Katoa.
They then have Tyrone May who can play in any of the playmaker positions. No problems here for the Panthers.
VERDICT
Penrith have the playmakers and the firepower to break into the top four in 2019.
Ivan Cleary will no doubt have to nurse some of his stars through the Origin period.
As with all teams, it’s important that they stay healthy towards the back end of the season. Assuming they do, they will be very hard to beat.
ROOKIE TO WATCH
Liam Martin is a tough county boy who can play anywhere in the forward pack. Liam has a fantastic attitude and will be in the mix this year at some stage.
STAT ATTACK
In 2018, the Panthers conceded the least number of metres (1292) and offloads (7.9) per game.
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