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Opinion Penrith

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736
It’s unfamiliar territory for Ivan Cleary and the Penrith Panthers this weekend as they try to bounce back from a regular season loss for the first time since going down to Parramatta in Round 5 of the pandemic-impacted 2020 season.

Of course Cleary would have wanted his patched-up Panthers to beat the Tigers last Friday night, but in the big scheme of things a loss was always inevitable and even likely during this Origin period, so no panic buttons would have been pressed this week.

Most championship teams, no matter how good they may be, lose games along the way. In fact no side has gone through a season unbeaten since St George in 1959, so let’s not lose our heads.

You always learn more from losing than winning, and there’s no doubt Cleary would have learned plenty about his side’s depth – and where it needs to be tweaked – from the performance at Leichhardt. With such a blessed injury run, Penrith hasn’t had to shake things up too much in the past 18 months, so things were always going to be a little rusty when the representative period arrived.
 

GAZF

First Grade
Messages
8,740
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The_Frog

First Grade
Messages
6,390
A LOT more than one post, riff. It was the starting lyrics to many posts.
It's so easy to post quotes on this new forum software, in fact it was on the old forum software. So why didn't you do it? Nothing hangs on this but your credibility.
 
Messages
736
After beating Queensland with a little help from their friends. the Penrith Panthers must now shift gear back to our Premiership surge.

Cleary has named all seven of his Origin representatives in the extended squad, but with the intensity of Origin combined with travel to and from Townsville, it’s hard to see them all playing just 48 hours later.

Penrith must continue to play the long game during this period, and the points they banked in the first half of the season will be super valuable in determining how the side manages the next few games. A Minor Premiership would be wonderful but we’ve been there, done that. It’s all about the big prize, hence managing workloads will be crucial.

I have no doubt no matter what 17 players turn out on Friday night, Penrith will put in a much-improved effort compared to last week. Combinations will click better, confidence will grow and the points will ultimately flow, especially with a few key players back. The almost-definite inclusion of Api Koroisau will be vital in ensuring each play gets off on the right foot, as things were too slow and clunky last week.

One thing Penrith would surely like to see is Viliame Kikau wake from his slumber. While oppositions are wary of the big unit and train to shut his powerful edge runs down, there’s no doubt he’s struggled to find that rampaging form that saw him become of the game’s household names.
 
Messages
736
Given the Panthers belted Cronulla 48-0 just a month ago, a significant form reversal seems unlikely. With uncertainty around Penrith’s final line-up, it’s impossible to predict a repeat dose this time around, but the Panthers should get the job done – losing two in a row just isn’t in their DNA at present.

Tip: Panthers by 10.
 
Messages
736
Im so proud of my Penrith Panthers. Even though we lost, I think we showed sooooooooo much fight and grit. Burton was amazing and to come from 16-0 down was a great job. Well done Cronulla but i think we can see why Penrith are premiership favs

For all you NSW supporters i hope you are happy. Penrith have sacrificed the last two premiership games for your SOO quest for glory and if my Penrith Panthers don't win the premiership this year it is YOUR fault!
 

blaza88z

Coach
Messages
15,096
Im so proud of my Penrith Panthers. Even though we lost, I think we showed sooooooooo much fight and grit. Burton was amazing and to come from 16-0 down was a great job. Well done Cronulla but i think we can see why Penrith are premiership favs

For all you NSW supporters i hope you are happy. Penrith have sacrificed the last two premiership games for your SOO quest for glory and if my Penrith Panthers don't win the premiership this year it is YOUR fault!

You are going to need a new account soon if Penrith keep losing
 

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