choc_soldier
Coach
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Only 8 remain.
Thankfully the Panthers are one of them this year. Finals footy is a foreign enough feeling out at the foot of the mountains - the fact that we enter it as defending premiers makes it even more of a challenge.
A winning start to any finals campaign is a must, and having your first game at home is definitely an advantage, one that Penrith has.
Up against the mighty Panthers is the relatively inconsistent, but still dangerous St. George Illawarra Dragons.
This is by far the most salivating clash of the 4 games this weekend.
PANTHERS - A stellar performance against the Broncos, and have some good momentum going into the finals, winning the last 3. Could very well go into this game significantly weakened by injury though.
DRAGONS - Coming off the bye. Their last game involved one of the biggest comebacks in premiership history against Manly. Perhaps not the best momentum going into the finals, but being fresh could be an advantage.
The talk is all about the Roosters and Bulldogs, but it's the two finals dark horses up against each other out at the foot of the mountains this Friday night.
Whoever wins this encounter could go all the way.
I'm anticipating an awesome game, and awesome atmosphere. Both play similar attacking styles, but the Dragons have a far superior defence. Having said that, the Panthers have shown that in the big games, they can have the "gate" shut for the entire 80 minutes.
A loss will not mean elimination, and a win will probably not mean a week off either.
But as mentioned before, a winning start is as good a start as you can get.
Our recent home form has an almost invincible touch about it, and we are also due for a win against the Dragons, after two crushing wins over us so far this year.
This is one of the few times this year where I am not 100% confident of the result.
Either the Panthers will win a tight one, or the Dragons will have it won by half time.
My heart says the former, but my head needs just a little convincing.
Panthers by 6.
Thankfully the Panthers are one of them this year. Finals footy is a foreign enough feeling out at the foot of the mountains - the fact that we enter it as defending premiers makes it even more of a challenge.
A winning start to any finals campaign is a must, and having your first game at home is definitely an advantage, one that Penrith has.
Up against the mighty Panthers is the relatively inconsistent, but still dangerous St. George Illawarra Dragons.
This is by far the most salivating clash of the 4 games this weekend.
PANTHERS - A stellar performance against the Broncos, and have some good momentum going into the finals, winning the last 3. Could very well go into this game significantly weakened by injury though.
DRAGONS - Coming off the bye. Their last game involved one of the biggest comebacks in premiership history against Manly. Perhaps not the best momentum going into the finals, but being fresh could be an advantage.
The talk is all about the Roosters and Bulldogs, but it's the two finals dark horses up against each other out at the foot of the mountains this Friday night.
Whoever wins this encounter could go all the way.
I'm anticipating an awesome game, and awesome atmosphere. Both play similar attacking styles, but the Dragons have a far superior defence. Having said that, the Panthers have shown that in the big games, they can have the "gate" shut for the entire 80 minutes.
A loss will not mean elimination, and a win will probably not mean a week off either.
But as mentioned before, a winning start is as good a start as you can get.
Our recent home form has an almost invincible touch about it, and we are also due for a win against the Dragons, after two crushing wins over us so far this year.
This is one of the few times this year where I am not 100% confident of the result.
Either the Panthers will win a tight one, or the Dragons will have it won by half time.
My heart says the former, but my head needs just a little convincing.
Panthers by 6.
