Remember when the Panthers had a horror start last year? Well I wrote an opinion about it!
So, we are only still early into the 2025 NRL season; and defending premiers the Panthers are, in essence, are struggling which didn’t even look possible when they beat the Sharks round 1. But since that game they have now lost three in a row, to teams they should have beaten. Questionable if they were to beat the Storm; butt still. Of course; as the saying goes in sport anything can happen and anybody can beat anybody. This is true. Penrith, however have been so obviously dominant the last few years it is crazy to see them currently sitting 13th on the NRL ladder.
So; have their last three losses shown us they are on the decline? At the moment the answer is YES. Without a doubt they just have not shown much in way of coming back. Last game against the Rabbits; they did have a tiny bit of fight back; but it wasn’t enough to bring them a win. Adding to their issues is the injuries are mounting and the signs are definitely not looking good going forward. But regardless of the players missing be it to injury or leaving for other teams; these are really not viable excuses for their poor performances. Hell I am sure the coaching staff, players and management would be frowning at such a thing. No, no none of that has anything to do with their current losing streak. Let us be fair here; sometimes other teams are just better and have them figured out. Reigning champions will always come back to earth eventually It sometimes happens the next year or a few years later.
If anything my thoughts are that their lack of support players in case of their top guys missing could be what is causing this poor run. Sometimes, we as sports fans and the media may very well not realise the importance of certain players in key positions. Sure the greats will step up and do what they need to do; but just because a team, like Penrith have a great player to steer them; you have to question if they ahve the back up system for when that player is either injured or leaves. Where is their succession plan? Coz after the game against the Rabbits it did not look like they even have one or planned one!
Reading one of the articles today about it and two names popped up highlighting that perhaps my above point.
One is Jarome Luai
Second is: James Fisher-harris.
Now, you are thinking why those two? Well look back at the past four years or so of the Panthers dominating and I m quite sure both of those names have been mention multiple times over. Of course it is not to say they do not have others because they do; but the fact that these two not being there now and it is three losses on a trot it does make you think. Are those two / were they the most important players in the team? Ok ok yes we know N. Cleary is as well and him not being there isn’t helping! But my point is, even with him not there someone else has to take over that role he does; and previously Luai did and did well. But now whose there? This is my point there was no obvious plan in place. Perhaps it is because Penrith wasn’t expecting him to leave? *shrugs* and internally they have visions of those two being the long term halves partners? Could be. We will never know! Something to ponder….
The same can be said of Fisher-Harris too for the rle he played in the forwards; not sen anyone do the ame kind of workload he did for them week in and week out. Not to say there isnt someone there to take his place but even so whoever is the next cab of the rank hasn’t quite stepped up; and might take some time to do so. Fair enough of course, though you just can’t discount the absolute monster work he did!
Well..Panthers fans let us hope for your sakes the team figures their plans out otherwise….yeah…this aint looking too good. Granted only Round 4 and there is a long, long way to go!