The way four-time premiers Penrith are seeing the ball right now there’s every chance the Panthers win their remaining six games leading into September and make it five titles in a row.
The Panthers have the luxury of playing the Gold Coast and Newcastle to make it nine wins in succession and then they can really sharpen the sword leading into the finals with three top four showdowns.
The Melbourne Storm without Jahrome Hughes, the top-of-the-table Canberra Raiders and the Bulldogs are Penrith’s assignments in rounds 24, 25 and 26.
With a full-strength roster and having rested NSW Origin stars Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo and Liam Martin after a taxing State of Origin series you’ve got to hand it to Ivan Cleary – he’s timing the run to perfection.
The draw they’ve been handed means they’ll be perfectly fine-tuned and battle-hardened for the big end-of-season games and the way they’ve flicked the switch defensively to only let in an average of 10 points per game since round 13 is all class.
The Panthers should be able to continue the roll to finish in the top four and from there with two cracks at making another grand final it’s looking increasingly likely Penrith will be in six straight deciders.
It makes you shake your head how good that is as an achievement.
The Brisbane Broncos’ loss to the Eels is costly on so many different levels but most critically it all but ruins their chances of a late season run at making the top four.
History shows no side has been able to win the title from outside the top four since Canterbury-Bankstown all the way back in 1995 so the assignment the Broncos now face is monumental.
Brisbane are adamant there’s no issue around NSW Origin frontrower Payne Haas but we all saw the vision of the front row enforcer struggling to walk towards the end of the Eels loss.
Haas trained with the Broncos on Monday morning so we’ll get a true reading when they host the out-of-luck South Sydney Rabbitohs on Friday night.
The Bunnies were as brave as William Wallace on Super Saturday but the horror injury toll continues to mount meaning they’re going to be flat out trying to avoid the wooden spoon.
The Sharks showed signs of life with strong wins over the Dolphins and the Roosters but after what they served up against Souths it’s hard to see them troubling the scorers come September.
Cronulla had enough ball and field position to put 40 points plus on the Rabbitohs but their attack simply couldn’t find any answers.
The Wahs have been so good all season but injuries to key position players are now starting to mount at the wrong time.
Once hooker Wayde Egan was forced off due to an HIA assessment it was always going to be difficult with Luke Metcalf and Mitch Barnett already sidelined for the remainder of the season.
They manufactured a miracle against the Knights in round 20 but it was a nice touch from the football gods to give Des Hasler’s Gold Coast Titans a much-needed win in his 500th game as an NRL coach.
