Panthers v Cowboys: Momirovski on track; McGuire cleared
Aside from an unhappy first half of the grand final, pretty much everything went right for the Panthers in 2020.
But that golden season will count for little when the Cowboys visit Panthers Stadium on Saturday night as teams coached by Ivan Cleary and Todd Payten start the new season on level footing as far as the ladder is concerned.
Payten's players have spoken of transitioning to an up-tempo style of play over the summer and on Saturday we will get a first proper glimpse of that.
As for the Panthers, Cleary will want to see the selfless style of play and willingness to do the little things that were hallmarks of 2020 remain evident.
The rundown
Team news
Panthers: Moses Leota can't be expected to fill in for the experience left by James Tamou, but he'll be needed to replicate his consistent level of performance. The Panthers' bench remains a work in progress. Scott Sorensen remains in some doubt with a hamstring injury.
Paul Momirovski looks to be the frontrunner to be Stephen Crichton's centre partner ahead of Tyrone May with Brent Naden not being considered for selection in the first four rounds after his positive cocaine test in grand final week.
Cowboys: Cowboys forward Josh McGuire has declared himself ready to face the Panthers having successfully returned to team training after a hamstring injury.
McGuire didn't feature in his club's trial due to the setback but trained with the squad on Friday and again emerged unscathed from Monday's session.
"I always pride myself on my fitness, so I'm ready to rock and roll I think. I'll just get through this week, have a good week with the boys, bank that and get ready for Penrith," he said. "I'm sweet. It's just an old-age thing, they're just protecting me; play with a pension card. I'm very excited about getting back with the group. Our staff have been first-class and they've got me back ready to go."
Tom Gilbert is unavailable for selection after suffering a leg fracture during a training ground mishap.
Key match-up
Jarome Luai v Scott Drinkwater. Luai proved himself one of the game's best five-eighths will an impressive 2020 campaign. Drinkwater has long been touted as someone capable of reaching such levels. For the Cowboys to start the year with a shock win, Drinkwater has to shine.
Stat attack
Including the finals, Penrith won 20 matches last year. The Cowboys have won 22 games in the last three years. A new season does bring with it new hope, but Penrith will rightly start as warm favourites.
