Having been one of the favourite teams to win the 2012 NRL wooden spoon, the early expectations of the Penrith Panthers should be on the rise.
The competition is only four rounds old and the Panthers haven't really set the competition on fire so far with 2 wins and 2 losses. Their wins have been against teams that have started slowly but Penrith have showed a lot of potential in all their matches so far.
Their win against the Sydney Roosters was won off the back of a very impressive defensive effort. Keeping a team like the Roosters scoreless is no easy feat but the Panthers showed how well they can defend through good organisation and discipline. The Roosters threatened for much of the match but the pressure put on them forced mistakes close to the Penrith line.
Their thrashing of Parramatta in round 4 was helped by a dreadful Eels performance but Penrith were able to capitlise on this by putting on 39 points. Winger Etuate Uaisele benefiting from strong inside play to score a hatrick.
Even in their losses Penrith have been impressive at times. Their round 1 loss to the Canterbury Bulldogs is one that got away, and the team will need to win those types of games if they want to stay in the top 8.
The scoreline against South Sydney in round 3 suggests that the match was fairly one sided when Souths beat the Panthers 40 - 24. Souths played very well and arguably would have beaten just about anyone in the comp with that form. To Penrith's credit they showed a lot of fight in that match, still scoring 24 points. Had their starts in each half been better, the game would have been close.
So what is to like about the 2012 Panthers?
Their key players are confident and combining well:
Their key positions at 1, 6, 7 and 9 seem to compliment each others games. Lachlan Coote, Travis Burns, Luke Walsh and Kevin Kingston are starting to gel and understand each other more often. When in good form Kingston and Walsh could be a deadly pair. Walsh is definitely the man who gets the ball but opposing teams need to watch Kingston. He times his dummy half runs very well and Lachlan Coote could be a major benefactor from them. Walsh looks to be running and organising the team around the field very well. They are all quick to get into supporting positions when there is a break down field often at the hand of one of the above mentioned.
The left side attack is starting to look dangerous:
Penrith will be looking to go left this year, with Clint Newton looking to be an excellent pick-up for the Panthers. He is strong, mobile and an experienced backrower who knows when to pass and to hold onto the ball. His ball running will be a good weapon for the Panthers attack as it will keep opposition teams guessing, something the Panthers have lacked since Frank Pritchard left for the Bulldogs.
Michael Jennings is looking particularly ominous with the ball in his hands. He is moving well and he is moving fast, his try against the Roosters is proof of this. Jennings has already scored 4 tries in 2012 having scored just 1 all last season and he seems to be enjoying the extra space someone like Newton can create.
Travis Burns too, has looked dangerous close to the line either passing short or running himself. He looks much stronger this year and has the potential to cause headaches close to the line. The Panthers also have to be careful no to go left too often and capitilise on stretched defensive lines. This can be seen in the Eels game when Walsh shifts the ball quickly for the Panthers to score on the right hand side of the posts.
The underrated forward pack:
The Penrith forwards have shown good early signs this season. They work hard and have the ability to take on much fancied opponents. This was evident in the South Sydney game after they started slowly and the Roosters game where their head down approach was effective. When they concentrate on the task at hand they give Luke Walsh plenty of time and space to use the ball effectively.
Sam McKendry has been good along with Dayne Weston who is relishing more time in the top grade and will start against the Cronulla Sharks in round 5. Nathan Smith is a big loss for the Panthers, particularly in defence but the bench has been good at covering injuries so far. What is also good news for Penrith fans is the signing of New Zealand international Lewis Brown for 3 years beginning in 2013.
Ivan Cleary as coach:
The evidence for Ivan Cleary being the man for the job is across the Tasman at Auckland. While Cleary was coach of the New Zealand Warriors the team became more consistent. He allows his players to be instinctive which will suit players like Luke Walsh and Lachlan Coote. If Cleary can do the same at Penrith, than the combination could work well. Discipline and consistency are vital to any team but none more so then at Penrith.
Luke Lewis:
Possibly the most important asset to the Panthers is their captain, Luke Lewis. He is one of the best players in the game and if he stays fit the season will be a huge asset to the Panthers, his all round ability and skill is an excellent option for the side and he reads the play extremely well. He is tireless in both defence and attack and is much better when he is given a bit of freedom at lock. His experience and leadership abilities are vital to the side. He should have a big season in 2012 being the new captain. Lewis plays his 200th first grade game in round 5 against the Sharks.
After 4 rounds the Panthers are sitting in 5th spot on the ladder and although the season has a long way to go are looking like a positive side. If they can improve their defence against the better sides and become more consistent, Penrith are a team to watch out for in 2012.
The competition is only four rounds old and the Panthers haven't really set the competition on fire so far with 2 wins and 2 losses. Their wins have been against teams that have started slowly but Penrith have showed a lot of potential in all their matches so far.
Their win against the Sydney Roosters was won off the back of a very impressive defensive effort. Keeping a team like the Roosters scoreless is no easy feat but the Panthers showed how well they can defend through good organisation and discipline. The Roosters threatened for much of the match but the pressure put on them forced mistakes close to the Penrith line.
Their thrashing of Parramatta in round 4 was helped by a dreadful Eels performance but Penrith were able to capitlise on this by putting on 39 points. Winger Etuate Uaisele benefiting from strong inside play to score a hatrick.
Even in their losses Penrith have been impressive at times. Their round 1 loss to the Canterbury Bulldogs is one that got away, and the team will need to win those types of games if they want to stay in the top 8.
The scoreline against South Sydney in round 3 suggests that the match was fairly one sided when Souths beat the Panthers 40 - 24. Souths played very well and arguably would have beaten just about anyone in the comp with that form. To Penrith's credit they showed a lot of fight in that match, still scoring 24 points. Had their starts in each half been better, the game would have been close.
So what is to like about the 2012 Panthers?
Their key players are confident and combining well:
Their key positions at 1, 6, 7 and 9 seem to compliment each others games. Lachlan Coote, Travis Burns, Luke Walsh and Kevin Kingston are starting to gel and understand each other more often. When in good form Kingston and Walsh could be a deadly pair. Walsh is definitely the man who gets the ball but opposing teams need to watch Kingston. He times his dummy half runs very well and Lachlan Coote could be a major benefactor from them. Walsh looks to be running and organising the team around the field very well. They are all quick to get into supporting positions when there is a break down field often at the hand of one of the above mentioned.
Round 2 Highlights vs the Sydney Roosters
The left side attack is starting to look dangerous:
Penrith will be looking to go left this year, with Clint Newton looking to be an excellent pick-up for the Panthers. He is strong, mobile and an experienced backrower who knows when to pass and to hold onto the ball. His ball running will be a good weapon for the Panthers attack as it will keep opposition teams guessing, something the Panthers have lacked since Frank Pritchard left for the Bulldogs.
Michael Jennings is looking particularly ominous with the ball in his hands. He is moving well and he is moving fast, his try against the Roosters is proof of this. Jennings has already scored 4 tries in 2012 having scored just 1 all last season and he seems to be enjoying the extra space someone like Newton can create.
Travis Burns too, has looked dangerous close to the line either passing short or running himself. He looks much stronger this year and has the potential to cause headaches close to the line. The Panthers also have to be careful no to go left too often and capitilise on stretched defensive lines. This can be seen in the Eels game when Walsh shifts the ball quickly for the Panthers to score on the right hand side of the posts.
Penrith's left side attack on display
against Parramatta, round 4
The underrated forward pack:
The Penrith forwards have shown good early signs this season. They work hard and have the ability to take on much fancied opponents. This was evident in the South Sydney game after they started slowly and the Roosters game where their head down approach was effective. When they concentrate on the task at hand they give Luke Walsh plenty of time and space to use the ball effectively.
Sam McKendry has been good along with Dayne Weston who is relishing more time in the top grade and will start against the Cronulla Sharks in round 5. Nathan Smith is a big loss for the Panthers, particularly in defence but the bench has been good at covering injuries so far. What is also good news for Penrith fans is the signing of New Zealand international Lewis Brown for 3 years beginning in 2013.
Ivan Cleary as coach:
The evidence for Ivan Cleary being the man for the job is across the Tasman at Auckland. While Cleary was coach of the New Zealand Warriors the team became more consistent. He allows his players to be instinctive which will suit players like Luke Walsh and Lachlan Coote. If Cleary can do the same at Penrith, than the combination could work well. Discipline and consistency are vital to any team but none more so then at Penrith.
Luke Lewis:
Possibly the most important asset to the Panthers is their captain, Luke Lewis. He is one of the best players in the game and if he stays fit the season will be a huge asset to the Panthers, his all round ability and skill is an excellent option for the side and he reads the play extremely well. He is tireless in both defence and attack and is much better when he is given a bit of freedom at lock. His experience and leadership abilities are vital to the side. He should have a big season in 2012 being the new captain. Lewis plays his 200th first grade game in round 5 against the Sharks.
Luke Lewis: Leading the way in 2012.
Picture: Mark Evans
Courtersy of: www.heraldsun.com.au
After 4 rounds the Panthers are sitting in 5th spot on the ladder and although the season has a long way to go are looking like a positive side. If they can improve their defence against the better sides and become more consistent, Penrith are a team to watch out for in 2012.
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