Panthers show spark in quest to extend dynasty

It’s starting to feel as predictable as Christmas. We should be looking forward to the end of the year, a break from normality, a chance to sit back and enjoy a refreshing beer. But your in-laws are there, just as they are every year.

So too the NRL premiership. The expectation of the Men in Black from Sydney’s Western Suburbs being there at the big dance to spoil the day of whichever unlucky fan base has bought tickets to watch their side get beaten at the death is all too real. That feeling came flooding back on Thursday night.

Footy fans were roused from the doldrums of the typical weekly try-prolific , error riddled clashes to witness a September spectacle come early.

The Panthers vs Bulldogs Round 17 match was a display of aggressive defence and endurance. Both teams were highly disciplined with the error count finishing at 21. A total of 14 points were scored, with players held up in try-scoring situations at both ends of the field multiple times.

The match ended favourably for the Penrith side who managed to take down the current premiership frontrunners 8-6 following a Nathan Cleary masterclass, despite a groin injury which clearly hampered his running game.

The concern, however, for the majority of footy fans living outside the Western suburbs of Sydney, is that this DID look like a finals game … and Penrith once again came out on top.

Panthers coach Ivan Cleary was asked whether we are starting to see signs of “what this team has been about over the past four or five years”.

His response was concerning for everyone who isn’t supporting the Penrith side.

“Yeah there’s definitely way more (effort plays) that are happening, that just weren’t there early in the year”, Cleary said.

His son and star playmaker Nathan backed up the sentiment, adding that “there’s definitely that feel of confidence in what we are capable of, that wasn’t there at the start of the year”.

It has the air of once again being a perfectly executed season plan from Ivan Cleary and his coaching roster; the slow start, bizarrely successful Origin period and strong, confidence-building run into the most important three or four matches of the season.

The Panthers now sit sixth on the NRL ladder, with a bye, and then the Eels, Souths, Tigers, Titans and Knights to feature in their next five games.

A small amount of pessimistic crystal gazing suggests that this four-time premiership winning side will be unlikely to drop many points during this period. And then it’s a chance to grind the axe against the more testing Storm, Raiders and Bulldogs, before the option of possibly resting some key stars against a listless Dragons side one week before finals.

The powerhouse that is Penrith Panthers now have the opportunity to make history, albeit though it feels that sentence was said far too often the past three years. Only South Sydney (1925-1929) and the St George Dragons (1956-1966) have managed five straight championships, and under the modern ‘strict’ salary sombreros this feat would be mightily impressive.

Perhaps the clincher in all this, those responsible for the ‘Dogs of War’ resurgence are ex-Panthers. Stephen Crichton, Matt Burton and Viliame Kikau were the most dangerous looking athletes against their old club, and new captain Crichton’s influence has played a huge role in pushing a once-languishing bottom four team into premiership contention.

If poaching the stars of this Penrith side are the competitors best chance at a success, it seems we are in for long term disappointment. The Penrith junior base continues to develop players at an elite level.

Look no further than Blaize Tailagi, who went close to scoring twice in last night’s close encounter, and Casey McLean, who managed to hold out the man many consider to be the best centre in the game currently.

It doesn’t seem unreasonable that we will be seeing this juggernaut in yet another grand final.