I will get in early before the next two games and say that regardless of whether we win or lose both, the club is in a good position. And the season has been successful. I will explain why.
For me the long term strategy has suddenly become as clear as day. Hook was brought in because in spite of his undoubted qualities, Cleary did not blood many juniors. He was very conservative. This last two seasons with Hook may have been frustrating at times but just look what has happened. Cleary, TMM,Edwards, Katoa, CHN, JFH, Kikau and now May have all been blooded. That never would have happened with Cleary.
That is eight players. More than half a team. The Knights and Tigers have struggled for those two years while we have quietly started building a team that is Penrith through and through and blooded more players than just about any other team. This has been completely lost in the seemingly never ending discussion about who should be 5/8th and whether Hook can coach.
I think there is also more to it than just blooding juniors because we have done that in the past and it hasn't always worked. The biggest single change from our club of old is that when these players debut, they look ready for it and not out of place. Gus reclaimed the reserve grade from St Marys and he got all three grades training in the same place. He got a proper training facility in place. They pillage the u20's even when a finals place is on the line so the kids get experience in NSW cup. They rotate them up and then put them back down again when they tire. When they debut, these kids are hitting the ground running, catch them if you can.
So here we are with a team with 12 of the 17 Penrith juniors and in spite of rebuilding u20's again, they are second and another group is in place.
We may lose both games and go out on our ear, but this club is in an amazing position right now. Only time will tell if Hook is the right man or not, but it doesn't matter. A new coach will be found and we will win a premiership. Patience is all.
