Round 1 vs. Penrith Panthers Discussion

[Big Pete]

Penrith Panthers vs. Brisbane Broncos
BlueBet Stadium, Friday 3 March 2023
Kick Off: 6:55pm (AEST)

1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To'o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Luke Garner 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo

14. Soni Luke 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Jaeman Salmon

18. Zac Hosking 19. Matt Eisenhuth 20. Tyrone Peachey 21. Jack Cogger 22. Lindsay Smith

1. Selwyn Cobbo 2. Corey Oates 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan

14. Cory Paix 15. Keenan Palasia 16. Thomas Flegler 17. Martin Taupau

18. Deine Mariner 19. Brendan Piakura 20. Xavier Willison 21. Jock Madden 22. Delouise Hoeter​

 

[Big Pete]

Reece Walsh trained today with some protective head-gear. The Broncos have yet to make a decision on whether he'll play in the season opener but he's given himself every opportunity to be selected.

If Walsh is ruled out, Selwyn Cobbo will likely play fullback with Jesse Arthars coming onto the right wing.

Thomas Flegler will likely make his return after being ruled out of the trials with a concussion. Whether he comes in at the expense of Brendan Piakura or Keenan Palasia remains to be seen.

Reynolds should also be right after being rested in the club's final trial.

Penrith welcome back Dylan Edwards & Liam Martin who sat out the World Club Challenge match against St. Helens. Both were sorely missed in the side's golden point loss and they'll go a long way to improving the club's chances.

There's still some optimism around the Broncos fanbase. There's feeling that Round 1 was the perfect time to play the Panthers before they get their new combinations in order. I think there's always that fools hope and while that may apply to teams like the Roosters, Penrith have been consistently strong with their openers since 2020.

 

[Big Pete]

Brisbane Broncos 13 (Herbie Farnworth 2, Adam Reynolds 2/2 goals; Adam Reynolds field goal) def. Penrith Panthers 12

1-0

The Brisbane Broncos opened their 2023 account with an enthralling one point victory over the reigning premiers.

I thought it was a gutsy effort from the Broncos. They conceded a ton of metres and field position but kept turning up on their line and turning the Panthers away. By the time Soni Luke cracked the defence, the game was all but over and Brisbane just had to defend a couple of sets. It still gave Penrith enough time to give the Broncos a serious fright when Cobbo spilled the ball in his own in-goal but fortunately the Panthers ill-discipline bailed them out.

The Broncos got through their sets well in the first half. They were able to go set for set with the Panthers and this eventually told mid-way through when Farnworth sliced over. The try was made easier by a mis-read by Crichton, but the lead-up work from Cobbo to generate momentum around the ruck helped create that pressure and Farnworth ran a smart line to get the better of Crichton.

His second try was all ablib footy you can't coach but it's the type of footy a player like Ezra Mam excels in. Billy lost his compass out of dummy half, but still had the temarity to offload and Mam produced one of the best runs of the game. The chase from Farnworth was brilliant and that try changed the complexion of the game.

I thought 1-17 everyone made positive contributions. Arthars was tested under the high ball and defused everything comfortably. Palasia came on early and after some indifferent form in the trials looked sharp with his passes. Taupau also added some power off the bench and was able to keep the Broncos in the wrestle.

I'd say the only concern was the amount of turn-overs in the second half. Brisbane came off the boil and handed Penrith far too many chances and on a different night they would have capitilised on them. It was also disappointing to see Staggs unable to play the full 80. Hopefully his body adapts as the season progresses.

In a nut-shell the performance for me highlighted how important Adam Reynolds is for the franchise. His kicking game at the end of sets just bought Brisbane some time and when the game was there to be won he slotted the field goal easily. Combined with the work from Haas & Carrigan the Broncos showed they can match it in the arm wrestle.

Otherwise it's difficult to be upset. The Panthers had only lost two games prior at BlueBet and it was against quality opposition in Parramatta and Melbourne.

As a fan you take the two points and run.