PENRITH PANTHERS
SPORT
By STEWART MOSES
P
@TheRiffMarn
anther rookie Liam Martin doesn’t mind admitting that his game has been built around hard-hitting defence. Just ask former NSW Origin prop Matt Prior, who was forced from the field with a rib injury not long after copping a bone-rattler from the Temora-raised and Penrith produced back-rower in just the sixth minute of play in Penrith’s 26-20 upset win over Cronulla last Friday night. At 183cm and 98kg, Martin isn’t exactly the biggest forward in the game but his defence has earned plenty of rave reviews and inevitably for Penrith fans in particular, comparisons to other noted “hit-men” in more recent times, Nigel Plum and Adam Docker. But the 22-year old rookie forward says that while he watched Penrith’s former “Bash Brothers,” he admits that despite being a country boy, that unlike Plum, he didn’t feel the need to hone his defensive skills by tackling sheep. Instead it was all about tackling big brother for Martin. “I was never a big kid. I was always that little short stocky kid that could get under people so (my defence) has been a part of my game for quite a while now,” Martin explained to Nepean News. “I used to watch Nigel Plum and Adam Docker play and remember thinking that’s how I’d like to play. “But I did nothing like that (tackle sheep). I had a brother who was six years older than me and was 50kg heavier so I was pretty much resorted to practising tackling him.” Having played 12 NRL games since making
or edge), as long as I’m playing. “I’d even play on the wing if they wanted me to. I’m just happy getting my chance to play in the NRL.” In fact, Martin’s debut has been the catalyst for a season where the Panthers have handed out more NRL debuts out than any other team in the NRL in 2019 (eight) and it is a significant factor as to why coach Ivan Cleary has used more players than any other club (32). It was all on show last Friday night when seven of the eight debutants (Jed Cartwright, being the only exception having played earlier that night in the Canterbury Cup) lined up against a virtual full-strength Cronulla Sharks side that had more than double Penrith’s overall NRL experience. But as Martin explained, coming off a disappointing loss against Canterbury meant Penrith rookie Liam Martin has raised plenty of eyebrows with his there was plenty of motivation to step up NRL performances to date in 2019. Credit: NRL Photos. against Cronulla despite the challenges of debuting three players – Matt Burton, Stephen his debut in Bathurst back in Round 3 against the Crichton and Spencer Leniu. “We’ve been a bit disappointing the last two Melbourne Storm, the Panthers forward who is under contract until the end of 2021, says it is still weeks prior to tonight, in how we have played so a surreal feeling to be playing NRL on a regular going into this week, we knew it was do or die basis, admitting that he would have been happy just and knew it would be a really hard-fought game,” to play anywhere if it meant making his debut at Martin said. “Obviously a few people would be a bit nervous some point doing the season. “I was hoping this year would be my year to about having three debutants.” “But we just had faith especially in the young debut in the NRl, but certainly not by Round 3,” boys coming through and we all knew they would Martin replied. “I’ve played my 12th game now and it’s still an get the job done.” “Having seven rookies and three of them as incredible feeling. “I love the fans, the atmosphere and the quality of debutants just shows the character of the boys that we’ve got and there is some incredible talent footy is just unreal. “I’m loving every minute of it even though the here. “It was a big reason why we were able to really body’s certainly feeling it but. “I don’t even care where Ivan plays me (middle dig deep and luckily we got the two points.”
Time to shine in Maloney’s absence: Cleary By STEWART MOSES
T
@TheRiffMarn
he suspension of James Maloney for the second time in 2018 was seen by many as the final nail in the coffin for a Penrith side that had disappointed greatly in their 16-8 loss to 15th placed Canterbury Bulldogs. After all, the loss, their second in successive weeks meant that the Panthers, were once again in the red for losses versus wins (9-10) and were back outside the top eight again. The attack, which had shown signs of improvement in recent times, spluttered again against the Bulldogs, conjuring just the one first half try despite having nearly 50 tackles in the opposition’s 20. In fact the Panthers were ranked second last for tries scored per tackle in the red zone (16.3) coming into last Friday night’s game and it’s been no secret that Nathan Cleary has worn the brunt of the criticisms concerning Penrith’s inability to score points at key moments throughout season 2019. But Maloney’s absence coupled with injury, suspension and form just might have provided the spark the NSW Origin half was looking for, leading a vastly inexperienced Penrith outfit to an upset win over Cronulla. Cleary had a hand in at least three of Penrith’s four tries scored including a solo try from close range just before the siren that put Penrith 20-4 in front. That was proceeded by a right foot step to break the line from just over halfway that set up Edwards’ first try.
Nathan Cleary led from the front in Friday’s shock win over Cronulla. Credit: NRL Photos.
Cleary also played a hand in the fullback’s second try early in the second half that gave Penrith a handy 26-4 lead. It was no surprise that Nathan admitted after the game that it was his best game of the season and that while he enjoys playing with James, he also relished the opportunity to take over the playmaking responsibilities in the Catalan Dragons bound half’s absence. “I’d say so. It was probably my most complete performance. Obviously there are a few areas I would like to still work on but I just need to keep setting the bar high and keeping working hard at it,” Cleary told Nepean News following the win.
“I love playing with Jimmy but (this week) just meant that without his experience I had to kind of use my experience. “I had to step up a bit more and take control of the team and take as much pressure off Burto (Panthers debutant Matt Burton) and Dyl (Edwards) as I could.” “It was cool playing alongside Burto tonight and see him on debut play the way he did was pretty special.” Nathan also admitted that confidence in the camp was high despite a loss against Canterbury that saw the Panthers written off by most against a side that they had not defeated in seven encounters since 2015. But the Origin half also conceded that they could ill-afford too many more second half phase outs that saw the Sharks almost snatch victory for a second time this season. “Obviously last week was pretty disappointing but we knew as a team what we needed to do,” Cleary declared. “It was a good scenario as everyone was writing us off and that’s when people at Penrith tend to stick up for themselves and play their best footy. “It kind of felt like history repeating for a bit there but the boys did well to hold on as the Sharks are a dynamite side with a lot of strike all over the park. “Obviously there were a few lapses in that second half and we want to fix that up but as we can’t be doing that too often. “I thought the first half was probably the best 40 minutes we played all year and it’s something we can really build off.”
Nepean News 15 August 2019 Issue 258
Martin: Tackling big brother developed my defensive game
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