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2018 PANTHERS SEASON PREVIEW

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Is 2018 Penrith s Premiership Window ? Credit: 77 Media

By STEWART MOSES

@TheRiffMarn

t was only twelve months ago that Penrith entered the season as joint favourites alongside eventual premiership winners, Melbourne. The media couldn’t get enough of talking up the Panthers’ premiership credentials. And the fans were certainly swept along for a ride that no one had predicted. An awful start to the season saw the Panthers in 15th spot at one point, having lost seven of their opening nine games, as they failed to come to grips with the pressure that goes with being tagged as a premiership favourite.

But aided by a soft draw and a decision to finally move Matt Moylan to five-eighth, Penrith’s fortunes were revived, winning eleven of their next thirteen games to suddenly loom as a premiership contender once more. However three losses from their last four games and a seventh-placed finish to the season, although an achievement of sorts considering their start, still left Penrith supporters feeling a little hollow, lamenting what could have been given the strength of their roster. But if you think quiet times were ahead for the Panthers heading into the off-season? Think again. Lower grades coaching guru, Garth Brennan, finally got his well-earned NRL coaching gig, after being appointed NRL coach at the Gold Coast Titans.

Hooker Mitch Rein followed Garth soon after. Matt Moylan left the club for Cronulla. Premiership-winning Sharks five-eighth James Maloney became a Panther. But even that came at an additional cost with prop Leilani Latu also leaving for the Gold Coast after a third-party deal for Maloney was knocked back by the NRL. But wait there’s more. Bryce Cartwright’s summer of discontent and ongoing off-field problems eventually came to a head and he too left to become a Titan. Speculation continues to mount that off-contract winger Josh Mansour and recently appointed skipper Peter Wallace won’t feature in Penrith’s 2019 roster. ....Continued on next page

Nepean News 1 March 2018 Issue 221

2018 panthers season preview Continued from cover.... And as we go to print, Tyrone Peachey, despite being under contract until the end of 2019, is expected to confirm shortly that he too will head to the Gold Coast, at season’s end. Is the club a departure lounge? Are players not happy with the coach? Given the number of departures and looking from the outside looking in, there’s certainly a case to say yes to both those questions, especially given the number of departures since Griffin joined in 2015. But while some in the media find it easy to tag a departure because of the coach, in most cases there are reasons that don’t involve a disagreement with the coach. Yet Griffin continues to polarise media and fan opinion like no other Panthers coach has, despite signing a recent two-year contract extension. On one side you have the coach who has a knack of bringing through a junior player, perhaps a little

earlier than expected yet they respond and thrive to the challenge. But on the other side there is that lingering doubt as to whether Griffin can take a roster as talented as Penrith’s and improve on consecutive season sixth-seventh placed finishes and week two finals departures. The stats suggest that Griffin is a fair weather coach. An overall winning record of 55% from over 150 NRL games played. Not bad. An even better winning record of 67% against non-top four sides. Good. But the damming stat is just SIX wins from 35 games played against top four opposition, which therein lies the problem many have with Griffin. Surely to be the best you have to able to beat the best, otherwise performance can only go so far. Ordinarily most fans would be easy pleased if their team perennially made the top eight.

But when you have a roster as special as Penrith’s, more sixth or seventh-placed finishes and week two finals departures will not cut it with this fan base. Whether Griffin can go to another level and improve on that record ultimately is the key to Penrith’s premiership chances in 2018. So with that all in mind, is the premiership window still open for Penrith in 2018? I think they’ll improve beyond their seventhplaced position of 2017. But I also sense that until Penrith can prove that they can consistently beat the best, then it’s fifth at best for mine. I’d love to be wrong but! In bringing you this 2018 season preview, Nepean News has spoken to many a Panther to get their perspective on what lies ahead this season. So sit back, strap yourself in and enjoy what could be a very unpredictable yet enjoyable ride through the 2018 season. #PantherPride.

Return of the Mac Sam McKendry

It’s been a long journey since that ill-fated night at ANZ Stadium against the Wests Tigers on July 2, 2016 when Sam McKendry was conveyed from the field in agony with a season-ending ACL knee injury. That journey was then cruelly extended further in 2017 when just minutes into his return match in a pre-season trial versus Parramatta, the 145 NRL game veteran prop, again tore the ACL in the same knee and required more reconstructive surgery. But after two trials to open the 2018 season, the prop they dub “The Mac Truck” is not only relieved at having come through unscathed but is set to complete a stunning comeback should he be selected for Penrith’s opening game of the NRL season against traditional foes, Parramatta. “To get through those two trials injury-free, I’m really stoked,” McKendry told Nepean News. “These trials sure have helped me. I would have liked to have played more minutes against the Bulldogs in that second trial. “But it is what it is and I just have to get ready for that first round clash.” McKendry says the ordeal of getting through a second consecutive long-term knee injury was made all the much easier by the support he received from club team mates, staff and friends and family. Watching Penrith’s current skipper Peter Wallace make a similar comeback from two knee injuries particularly inspired the prop forward. “I just had to be positive. I had plenty of good support from the family, the wife (Kristen) and good staff at Penrith that got me through it and here I am playing footy again,” McKendry responded. “Peter Wallace also had a couple of ACL injuries

Sam McKendry sizes up his opponent: Photo: 77 Media.

and I took plenty of positives out of seeing him come back from those.” McKendry also admits that the birth of his two children while sidelined with injury was equally a welcome distraction, but says he won’t be having any more children, any time soon despite the club going through something of a baby-boom in recent times. “It’s been good having the two kids, they have certainly kept me busy and helped me take my mind off the tough times I’ve been through with my injuries,” McKendry declared. “There must be something in the water at the

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club that we’re drinking but for now two is enough.” McKendry is confident that a spot in the 17 is there for the taking for that first round clash and believes that the team is set to have strong season despite an indifferent showing in their last trial match against a vastly under-strength Bulldogs side. “There sure is (a sense that a first grade spot is there for me),” the Kiwi international prop replied. “I’ve just got to train hard and see what happens next.” “It’s unfortunate about the result against the Bulldogs. “We didn’t play our best and we were guilty of playing for ourselves. “But lucky for us it wasn’t for two competition points. “At the end of the day they are just trials and we know what we have to work on for our first game against Parramatta. “We’ve got heaps of talent and have all the makings of a good team. “We just need to put in together for the next two weeks in order to come good. Although Coach Anthony Griffin stops short of endorsing Sam’s immediate return to first grade, he admits McKendry’s return is akin to having a new player at the club. “It’s great to see Sam McKendry back on his feet which is a real plus for us in the middle,” Griffin replied. “It feels like we’ve got a new player in Sam. It’s been really good to see him come back (through the trials). “He’s a quality front rower and a really good guy to have around the club.”

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2018 panthers season preview

Panthers CEO, Brian Fletcher says that the time has come for the club’s current playing roster to deliver on years of promise, if Penrith is to challenge for its third premiership title. Having gone to within two games of an NRL Grand Final appearance in consecutive seasons, Fletcher told Nepean News that with the squad virtually injury-free, coupled with the addition of James Maloney to the roster, there are no excuses for Penrith not to challenge for the 2018 title. “We are over saying it’s a young side now. We’re old enough to be competitive now,” Fletcher declared. “In the last two years, we’ve finished only two games away from playing in a grand final so we don’t have to improve much. “You have to remember last year too, we started the first eleven rounds without Josh Mansour as well, so we had our share of injury problems. “This year will probably be the best start we’ll have from an injury point of view for a long time too.

“We only have one player (Tyrone May) in the sick bay, where normally we’ve always had five or six. “I also think that with the expertise of Maloney joining the squad, I’m certain they’ll find an extra couple of lengths (in 2018) and we’ll finish a lot closer than two games away from a grand final this year. “(All things being equal) we’ll have no excuses in 2018.” But the window for premiership success could close temporarily as young talent matures and become in demand as being the game’s next superstars. Having already released the likes of Matt Moylan, Leilani Latu and Bryce Cartwright in recent months, there is the real prospect that players like Tyrone Peachey and Josh Mansour may have to move on given that the Panthers, as they look to build its future around halfback, Nathan Cleary, will need to significantly upgrade his modest deal in order to retain him beyond 2019.

Nepean News 1 March 2018 Issue 221

THE CEO Brian Fletcher

Fletcher concedes it is becoming increasing difficult to keeping together the nucleus of one of the club’s strongest NRL rosters in recent memory. “That’s the reality (we face). Along with some other players, Nathan is the future star (of this club) and we’ll be doing everything in our power to keep him,” Fletcher re-affirmed. “We’d love to keep them all but the sad part about it is that once we show off the talent that we have, these young blokes automatically double in price and you just can’t keep them all.”

THE COACH Anthony Griffin Having just completed his third pre-season at the club to date, Panthers coach Anthony Griffin says he is happy with where the team is at, on the eve of what could well be a defining year for the Penrith coach. Whilst happy with the fitness and attitude of his squad, Griffin concedes that his side has worked hard on improving their attacking game in order for the club to improve on it’s week two finals appearances of the past two seasons. “Most pre-seasons everyone goes through some conditioning phase, there’s no easy way to do hard work,” Griffin explained to the Nepean News. “But the whole group has been really good. Their attitude has been great. “(As a result) we’ve probably been more settled this pre-season, which has allowed us to focus more on the football itself and work a bit harder on

our attacking game.” However Griffin refuses to reveal where he thinks his side will finish in 2018 but is adamant the Panthers will improve, given they will start the season with arguably the fittest squad in Penrith’s recent history. “Like every other team, our goal is to improve. Without making predictions about where we got to end up, I feel like we are building on what we did last year,” Griffin replied. “The important thing at this time of the year is that we have got though the trials without losing anyone to injury.” Nonetheless Griffin says the team will make a membership base that is up 5,000 members on same time last season, having reached around 16,000 members, very proud in 2018. “It’s great to see the fans are leading with their

THE CAPTAIN Peter Wallace Penrith’s latest captain, Peter Wallace, certainly can’t deny his footy career has now turned the full 360 degrees - and for the better. Having been relieved of the captaincy soon after Anthony Griffin’s arrival at the club, the local junior’s NRL career as a halfback looked all but over. But the switch to the hooking role has revitalised Wallace’s career, culminating with Griffin’s decision to reinstate the rake as NRL captain for the 2018 season after former skipper Matt Moylan, was released to join Cronulla. “A few years back I didn’t know where my career was going to take me,” Wallace told Nepean News. “It is funny how life works sometimes but I’m happy with how it’s all panned out. “Obviously it’s a huge honour to lead the club. It comes with added responsibility but I’m really honoured.” Told of his captaincy appointment just before Christmas, Wallace says that he takes great confidence from the fact that Griffin didn’t consider other candidates for the role, confirming just how far their working relationship has recovered in recent seasons.

“It was (a great show of confidence from Hook) as Hook and I get along great now,” Wallace replied. “We have a good working relationship. It’s great to have his support in getting this job.” For Griffin, it was a no brainer to reinstate his hooker back in the leadership role for a second time. “It’s good for Pete. He’s gone through a lot the past couple of years getting himself back from injury and getting himself into that hooking role,” Griffin declared. “Pete also had a really tough year last year with injuries, missing out on that State of Origin spot. “But he finished the year strongly and led us really well at the back end of the season so it as a natural thing to have him in there this year.” Wallace says there is plenty to be excited about the season ahead given the strong pre-season and the experiences his young side have gained in recent seasons. But to become a top four team, Wallace concedes they need to start faster than the previous two seasons when the Panthers won just five of their opening twelve games. “We’ve had a really good pre-season and we’re

Credit: 77 Media

wallet and buying memberships,” Griffin exclaims. “We’re very conscious of that (growth this year) and I’m sure we are going to make them proud to be members this year as we look forward to Round One.”

Credit: 77 Media

confident but we need to make sure we get ourselves off to a good start,” Wallace said. “We haven’t made the top four in the past two seasons because of our starts.” “But our younger players still had a good year under their belt last season. “It was filled with adversity for a while there, but we were able to play finals in the end which was a really good experience for them. “They’ll be better for that and I’ve seen a lot more improvement in them over the pre-season too. “Not just in how they have developed as players but also physically, they’re bigger and stronger.”

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2018 panthers season preview

the Playmaker James Maloney It’s no secret that Penrith’s prized acquisition for 2018, James Maloney, has played for a plethora of clubs since bursting on the NRL scene for the Melbourne Storm in 2009. In a career that has since spanned across over 200 NRL games across another three clubs – New Zealand Warriors, Sydney Roosters and Cronulla Sharks, since 2010, Maloney has made three grand final appearances (2011, 2013 & 2016) culminating with two premierships under his belt. But what isn’t as well known is that Maloney could have possibly been a Panther as early as 2013, if they prepared to pay more than the other clubs that were in the mix for his services at the time. Nonetheless much has changed at Penrith since 2013 to now and the NSW and Australian representative five-eighth couldn’t be happier with his decision to join the Panthers until the end of the 2020 season. “Ivan Cleary asked me (about the possibility of signing with Penrith) but I think I just told him that basically they would need to pay overs to get me out west over some of the other options I had,” Maloney confirmed. “(But now) the club is in a really exciting position,

Credit: 77 Media

they are doing a lot of things right as a footy club and I think there’s good times ahead. “There is a really strong forward pack for me to play behind and there is some really exciting young kids coming through to probably help develop and in some way help their NRL careers take off. “I especially hope that I can build a nice combination with Nathan and play some good footy.” Despite the relatively short period of time Maloney and Cleary have been able to spend together since the former commenced training at his new club only last month, his new coach, Anthony Griffin is pleased how well his key playmaker has settled in and is looking forward to the calming influence Maloney will have on Nathan Cleary’s game. “Bringing Jimmy Maloney here has been great for the club. He’s been great at training, has a great attitude and has fitted in really well,” Griffith declared. “It’s well documented that he’s a State of Origin five-eighth and that he’s been to three grand finals. “But he is at the point in his career where he can really pass on some experience not just to Nathan but to our whole team.”

The Young Gun Viliame Kikau The quite, un-assuming Fijian may not think it just yet but his transformation from a bit-part middle NRL bench player into a bona-fide eighty minute edge-forward in the ISP, might prove to be the master stroke that allows Kikau to re-establish himself in the NRL. The decision was made to drop Kikau from the NRL squad mid-way through last season and instead play on the edge in the ISP, where his obvious ball-running, offloading and passing abilities could be best utilised. It turned out to be one of the key reasons why the Fijian giant was not only pivotal in Garth Brennan’s team’s ISP / State Championship title double, but was also instrumental in Fiji’s run to the World Cup semi-finals with a series of devastating performances on the left edge. In fact Kikau played more games than any other Panther in 2017. But just when you would think the body would be sore from such an unexpected and long rugby league campaign, the Panthers back-rower has come back refreshed and with renewed confidence

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to reclaim a spot in the NRL squad. “I thought that I would be a lot sorer to be honest but I’m actually feeling good and ready to go for the season ahead,” Kikau told Nepean News. “Most importantly for me, the World Cup has allowed me to come back heaps more confident to play in the NRL than last year. “I sort of had a good year last season but hopefully with my World Cup experience I can bring back more to the team this year. “I prefer to play on the edge now but I need to work hard at training especially on my defence as it is a bit different to playing in the middle.” Having initially lived in Townsville prior to joining the Panthers back in 2016, Kikau admits it has taken time to settle into a different way of life but says he is getting more confident by the season. “I wouldn’t say it is easy now but it’s getting better every year that I’m here at Penrith,” Kikau conceded. “If I keep building on that confidence every year as I play, get to know the boys and spend more time with them, I will develop and get better every year.”

2018 panthers season preview

When you think about lower grades success, the name Garth Brennan would spring to most fans’ mind. But Guy Missio is arguably the most successful lower grades coaching staff member in Penrith’s history. Since 2010, Missio has made four ISP (NSW Cup) grand finals, winning in both 2014 as well as doing the ISP / NRL State Championship double last season (both under Garth Brennan) and has also made two NYC grand finals, winning one under Cameron Ciraldo in 2015. But after a hugely successful five years assisting other coaches to grand final success, Missio is excited to be back as a head coach (with David Simmons as his assistant), having learnt plenty in his time under Brennan and Ciraldo. “It certainly is exciting to back as a head coach again,” Missio declared. “I wouldn’t say it has been a long five years but they’ve been really enjoyable and a successful five years as an assistant to Garth and Cameron. “I’ve had a bit of luck with making five successive grand finals. Won a few lost a few. “I’ve learned a lot, particularly about preparation and training, getting players ready for a game, especially big games.” 2018 also sees a new name in the lower grade coaching ranks with former Penrith Jersey Flegg player and current Panthers Academy coach Ben

Guy Missio Credit: Penrith Panthers

Harden, taking over the reins from David TangataToa in the revamped Under 20s NSWRL Jersey Flegg competition. Harden, who himself retired from football at just 22 years of age in 2009 after suffering multiple knee injuries, has transitioned to coaching, culminating with Under 18s National Championships success in 2016 with Penrith’s all-conquering SG Ball side. But the coach admits that he didn’t think it would come so soon, as he looks to ironically defend the

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Ben Harden Credit: Penrith Panthers

title last won by the club in 2007. “It was a step that I was looking forward to making (coaching at this level) but I didn’t think it would happen this quickly,” Harden said. “Thankfully I’m coaching a lot of boys that I’ve worked with over the past couple of years in our junior rep system, particularly SG Ball, which makes it a seamless transition.” “It’s funny that ten years ago, we last won that competition and the boys have been certainly reminded of that.”

Nepean News 1 March 2018 Issue 221

LOWER GRADE COACHES Guy Missio / Ben Harden

Nepean News 1 March 2018 Issue 221

2018 panthers season preview

GOLDEN POINTS with Stew Moses

@TheRiffMarn

PANTHERS TAKE INDIFFERENT TRIAL FORM INTO ROUND ONE BLOCKBUSTER CLASH V EELS There’s still plenty of work to do ahead of Round One clash versus the Eels if recent trial results are a guide. A reasonably strong looking Penrith accounted for the vastly under-strength Sydney Roosters, 30-18 at home, before a virtual full-strength side succumbed to a Bulldogs ISP strength side, 24-10 last Saturday at Belmore Sports Ground. Speaking after the trial loss, James Maloney says that while much of the poor result could be attributed to complacency, the Panthers five-eighth adds these are issues that can be easily addressed and resolved in time for the season opener. “I think that’s why sometimes those (sluggish) performances come. It’s a bit hard I suppose to mentally get up to play a bit of a lesser side,” Maloney conceded. “I thought we were on top and doing it very comfortably for the first twenty-five minutes and then we got a bit complacent, thinking it was going to be a bit of a walk in the park. “(Instead) they stood up and offered a bit of footy.” Coach Anthony Griffin is expecting the likes of Viliame Kikau, James Fisher-Harris and Moses Leota to step up to the next level and establish their spots in the NRL squad in 2018. “Kikau got his first taste of NRL last year and got that experience at the World Cup” Griffin said. “Obviously we have got to progress him and give him every chance with us. “Guys like Fisher-Harris and Moses Leota, who have been around for a few years now, they’re a little bit bigger and stronger. It’s a good look for us at the moment.” Griffin is also excited by the promise shown by young talents such as Christian Crichton, Caleb Aekins and Wayde Egan throughout the trials, hinting they could see first grade in 2018. “Throughout the trials we have used a lot of young guys that haven’t played first grade but are banging away, hard at work,” Griffin replied. “But that’s the type of club we are. We’re about giving young people opportunity. “Every time we have done that we have seen guys take that chance. “That’s one of our strengths as a club and no doubt this year there will be a couple more.” Peter Wallace admits he isn’t sure whether he will continue to play eighty minutes in 2018 given the emergence of Sione Katoa and Wayde Egan,

“Honestly I was picked out of nowhere. I have got the worst voice in the team,” Kikau declared. “I can’t believe people were saying how good my voice was but I was overwhelmed by the response of the fans. “But I’m blessed to have been given the opportunity to lead the hymn every time I represent my country. “It’s a church hymn that we would sing before we started the day and ended the day as it represents our belief that we think God is there in everything we do.” Emerging Blue Moses Leota is expected to establish himself in the NRL squad in 2018. Photo. 77 Media.

who impressed against the Roosters. “I’d still prefer to play the 80 minutes to be honest,” Wallace told Nepean News. “But I suppose that will come down to who we are playing and how the team is travelling too, whether we need another utility on the bench or another hooker. “But I supposed we will have to wait and see what Hook has in mind, once the season gets under way.” Tyrone May and Tyrone Phillips are set to be the only two top squad players not available for Round One selection, after coach Anthony Griffin confirmed injured winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (ankle) is a genuine chance to recover in time for the Parramatta match. The Panthers coach also confirmed that Jed Cartwright has had a groin problem, which has seen the centre spend long periods in rehab and was restricted to a few minutes in Penrith’s most recent ISP trial. Reports linking off-contract winger Josh Mansour to Parramatta for 2019, look to be off the mark at this stage. However, the Gold Coast Titans are expected to shortly confirm the signing of Tyrone Peachey on a multi-year deal starting from 2019. There’s little doubt Viliame Kikau was one of the players of the recent World Cup both on and off the field, where he is just as fondly remembered for his pre-match lead of the Fijian Hymm. But the man himself says he still can’t believe how he got the gig, given he thinks he has the worse voice in the team before explaining what the hymn is all about.

New ISP coach Guy Missio says he is excited to be able to bring in retired Panther, David Simmons, to the coaching ranks. “Dave (Simmons) is a very calm person and he is also has very smart judgment of football,” Missio declared. “I’ve coached Dave at Windsor on and off and I am very grateful that he is part of my coaching staff for sure.” Panthers Jersey Flegg coach Ben Harden admits their trial form has been scratchy given the number of experienced players out injured at the moment, including the likes of Dean Blore, Brian Too, Mose Filio, Jermaine Hopgood and Tom Skinner. “I know our results in the trials haven’t been where we’d like them to be. “However at the moment, the boys are slowly finding their feet.” Harden also confirmed that Mitch Kenny will be Flegg captain for the 2018 season. Penrith’s junior rep sides continue to go from strength to strength over the opening rounds. In consecutive weekends, Penrith’s Harold Matts, SG Ball and Tarsha Gale sides all recorded wins over Canberra and Parramatta respectively. After Round Three, both Harold Matts and SG Ball remain undefeated while Tarsha Gale are unbeaten in their last two games. Penrith’s Round One clash at home against Parramatta next Sunday week is set to be sell-out given only single reserve seats remain along with general admission tickets. Remember, if you have any Panthers news you wish to share, feel free to email me: stewart@ nepeannews.com.au. #PantherPride

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