Completely agree with this, that Newcastle team in particular was stacked. But the irony of the digs at Nathan is that if people held Thurston and Johns to the same standard, they should have won premierships even if the were playing with mugs.
I agree that you will need to wait till after your career to be viewed with perspective. I think people are going to scratch their head and ask how this team was so dominant. Look, I love all the guys but this isn’t a team that should be historically dominant; really only Nathan and To’o (and potentially Yeo) are really going to be viewed as generational players, and even To’o is going to be remembered for his stats than his play.
I agree with this. Our team doesn't stand out because it is not flashy. There is no Renouf or Brett Mullins with scintillating speed. The team doesn't do length of field tries like the best Broncos teams, it doesn't have players that were considered the best ever like Bradley Clyde, or, Wally Lewis. Our halfback doesn't do flashy plays like JT or Johns.
Our forwards aren't brash, aggressive nutters like JWH. They smile as they cut you in half. Their toughness is completely unnoticed by everybody because our players are humble when they hurt you.
We aren't seen as tough and we aren't seen as flashy. "Relentless" probably sums up the opposition fans view. I think that is probably about right. Relentless at God level.
In my view, what this team has that stands it apart is exactly that, "relentless intensity". QLD showed that quality in Game 3 and it unravelled NSW. But I have never seen any other club team play with the intensity of the Panthers. It literally sucks the life out of the other teams. In one game against the Raiders, they didn't cross the halfway line until the 70 minute mark and that was only because we gave away a penalty.
Intensity.
The opposition can go with the pace for 60 minutes and then like the boxer copping body shots for the first five rounds, the legs start to go and then we usually finish them off with late tries. That said, intensity doesn't translate to highlight reels as well as Renouf swerving past three defenders on the way to the try line.
The come back against the Broncos was only possible because in the first half we smashed the Broncos relentlessly, once the game started to turn they had nothing left.
Intensity. The Eels were literally demolished by one of the finest displays of forward dominance ever seen. We had shut up shop in the second half otherwise it could have been one of the biggest thrashings in GF history.
Intensity. The Storm last year were scoring tries for fun, but in the GF, they were stifled by our defence.
Intensity.
Maybe that will be how we are viewed. Relentless. Intense. Legendary fitness levels. Ok, its not box office like the Broncos and Raiders, but it is something to be proud of. Those teams were good, but we have proven we are better.
