https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/ra...panthers-is-off-the-mark-20210418-p57k80.html
In the same week as the game celebrated the life of Tom Raudonikis, laughing at stories that would be viewed very differently if they happened today, the Panthers were lambasted for incidents that barely hit one out of 10 on the Tommy-ometer.
Few would argue that Stephen Crichton hauling Joseph Tapine into Penrith’s post-try celebrations last week lacked class. But the narrative that it was a reflection of an arrogance problem at the Panthers has not gone down well at the foot of the mountains.
The Panthers weren’t the only team guilty of niggling tactics, with Ryan James smashing Matt Eisenhuth’s head into the ground and Jarrod Croker kickstarting the melee that led to Joseph Tapine being dragged into Panthers post-try celebrations
Ricky Stuart weighed in during the week, saying the jersey-grabbing and pushing was making “soft people very tough because you know you’re not going to get a punch in the head”.
But what’s been lost in the well-edited lowlight reel of Penrith’s questionable moments is that it was Raiders skipper Jarrod Croker who started the melee, pushing Liam Martin as he ran in to celebrate the try scored by Charlie Staines.
People close to the Panthers say there wasn’t anything tough about Raiders prop Ryan James, one of the nicest players in the sport, slamming the head of an unaware Matt Eisenhuth into the turf while the referee wasn’t watching.
Or Jordan Rapana abusing young Penrith players after Croker scored a try that was later overturned. Or Hudson Young, who has a colourful history, pushing Viliame Kikau in the back to start an all-in push-and-shove.
Does that mean the Raiders are arrogant? No. It’s more accurate to say the Raiders are an intimidating football team that prides itself on ambushing its opposition and is quite prepared to get under the skin of certain players to do so.
Penrith know it all too well, developing a genuine dislike for Canberra that relates to a few incidents involving John Bateman in previous encounters.
So when Penrith out-Canberra’d Canberra almost two weeks ago, it struck a nerve in the nation’s capital. Stuart was one of the best nigglers the game has ever seen, the epitome of what every “cheeky” halfback should be. Don’t forget Michael Ennis, who is on the Raiders coaching staff, either.
The pair mastered the art of crossing the line, then stepping back over it before anyone even knew a line had been crossed. If Crichton, or Jarome Luai for that matter, were Raiders, they would be lauded for possessing the same attributes - minus the Tapine incident - that are now being criticised.
It’s why privately Penrith feel the Raiders are just trying to deflect attention away from the way they are playing, which left a lot to be desired against the Eels on Saturday night.
Many clubs say the Raiders know how to use the media to change public perception better than most. Just ask the Melbourne Storm where they think all the hate towards their wrestling tactics stems from. That’s gamesmanship.
But the public criticism of Crichton, Luai, Brian To’o and co last week has left the game’s most charismatic and infectious personalities questioning whether they need to change to please an audience that only two weeks ago never spoke a bad word about them. The handshake celebration was a case in point.
On Thursday night, after they were asked to perform a rendition of Boyz II Men in Nine's post-game show, the video ended up on social media. For the first time in their young careers, the trio copped some flack.
"Tommy would be rolling around in his grave," one comment read.
"These guys make me sick," said another.
They are now confused. They’ve done nothing different in the past 11 days to what they have throughout their careers. Yet the characteristics which led to them being placed on a pedestal are the same ones for which they are now being brought down.
The game is crying out for characters, but the past week has highlighted why some choose to hide. Raiders chief executive Don Furner told Ivan Cleary to teach his players humility, likening a few of his troops as “mug lairs”.
Crichton, Luai and To’o sing and dance. Those close to the Panthers trio say it’s just what they do. It’s a huge part of the Polynesian culture. They still live with their families in Mt Druitt, paying off their mortgages or saving to buy them a house.
Jarome Luai with his father Martin outside their Dharruk home last year.CREDIT:JANIE BARRETT
The same three players regularly run training sessions for kids from the area at the local footy grounds to help instil a sense of belief that they can make it in life, despite their postcode.
They are the feelgood stories rugby league needs. Comments from ARLC chairman Peter V’landys that it was “ridiculous” Crichton got fined only $1350 do little to encourage players to be themselves.
