By Stewart Moses @TheRiffMarn
SEPTEMBER 17, 2016. Deep within the walls of Canberra Stadium, the sinking reality that Penrith’s thrilling hunt for premiership glory was over, was beginning to set in, as Penrith’s last post-game press conference for 2016 was underway. In amongst the disappointment of losing 2212 and being eliminated from the finals, Panthers skipper Matt Moylan still managed to find plenty of positives; positives that have fuelled the hopes and dreams of many a Panther fan over the summer months. “I think we definitely developed from the start of the year. A lot of the guys matured from the start of the season and I think that’s a good thing to take into next season,” Moylan said. “We’re heading in the right direction. The players coming through, everyone’s confident. “We’ve had some good experiences and we’ve got good experience coming to the club next year as well. “It’s a step forward but we’re going to have work hard in the off-season and use this as motivation to
get back to the finals.” The playing roster is certainly starting to mature now. Watene-Zelezniak, Peachey, Yeo, Cartwright have all reached the 50 NRL game milestone. A milestone in the sense that the likes of Phil Gould say that you haven’t proven yourself as a firstgrader until you have played at least 50 games. Blake, Campbell-Gillard and possibly Latu are all set to break into the “fifty plus” club at some point this year. Then there is the talent that is coming through. Fisher-Harris, Martin, both Kiwi internationals in their rookie year, plus Nathan Cleary already has enough superlatives and famous-dad comparisons to last a lifetime. Plus the emergence of Edwards and Leota, who emerged on the first grade scene in 2016, are set to press their claims, with both being amongst the best in pre-season training, nines football and trials. Some experience has left the club over the past twelve months; Soward, Taylor, Segeyaro and Latimore. But there’s plenty of experience coming in too to compliment the likes of Merrin, Moylan, Whare, Mansour and Wallace, with Tamou, Rein and
Browne all key signings. The return of Whare and Hiku from long-term injuries are almost like signings too, further bolstering that depth. 168 days after those words from the Panther skipper and in just two sleeps time, our 2017 campaign kicks off with two consecutive day-time games away to St George-Illawarra (Kogarah) and Wests Tigers (Campbelltown). Penrith may have flown underneath the radar in 2016 but they enter 2017 as the joint premiership favourites alongside their nemesis from the South, Melbourne. The media can’t get enough of the Mountain Men and can’t stop talking up the premiership chances. And the fans have spent the summer soaking this up and then some as the wave of expectation continues to roll in for the Panthers. In bringing you this 2017 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 and enjoy what should be a spectacular ride through the 2017 NRL season where hopefully our journey happily terminates at last stop ANZ Stadium on that first weekend in October.
2017 PANTHERS SEASON PREVIEW