Panthers could improve

Penrith Panthers NRL
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Why Penrith Panthers could improve without Jarome Luai and James Fisher-Harris

MSN News | Mark Molyneux | 29 November 2024

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Penrith have paid for their success yet again with a host of stars leaving the foot of the mountains following their fourth successive premiership.

Jarome Luai announced his exit prior to the start of last season after opting to join the Wests Tigers, while James Fisher-Harris sent shockwaves through the club when he requested a release halfway through the year.

The duo have been major factors in Penrith’s stranglehold over the competition, with Luai forming a perfect partnership alongside Nathan Cleary.

Meanwhile, Fisher-Harris has ascended to become the New Zealand captain as he set the standard for the Panthers in defence and with the ball in hand time and time again.

Why the Panthers could improve without Jarome Luai and James Fisher-Harris

The departure of the pair is arguably the biggest shake-up that Ivan Cleary has had to deal with during his reign, despite the likes of Api Koroisau, Matt Burton and Viliame Kikau leaving in the past.

However, James Graham has argued that their exits could actually help rather than hinder the champions in the long run.

“I’m of the opinion that it will inadvertently help Penrith because it forces them to slightly change how they play,” Graham told NRL.com.

"They don’t grow old together and they don’t get complacent together.

"Instead, it allows them to bring in new blood that is full of excitement and eagerness. They’ll want to get into that grand final and play with these players.

“So, I think the turnover actually helps them.”

Cleary’s partner in the halves remains uncertain with new recruit Blaize Talagi believed to be right in the mix for the vacant No.6 jersey along with Brad Schneider and Jack Cole.

Whereas Lindsay Smith shapes as the clear replacement for Fisher-Harris after being picked as an Australian representative in the Pacific Championships.

The emerging prop has taken on greater responsibility since debuting for the club in 2021 and is now set to be elevated from his role on the bench into the starting pack alongside Moses Leota.

Although despite Graham’s assertion that the Panthers were well-placed for yet another premiership tilt, he did raise concerns around the club’s inability to call upon their fortress at Penrith Park, due to ongoing renovation work.

“Let’s not forget every team in the NRL is looking to get one over Penrith,” Graham said.

“Maybe, just maybe, the biggest thorn in their side could be that they don’t have a home ground next year.”

The Panthers will head to Las Vegas to kick off their fifth title defence against Cronulla, before they return Down Under and embark on a season-long road trip of sorts.

Right at the beginning of this journey, the new-look Panthers will be put to the test as well as they will face the Sydney Roosters and Melbourne back-to-back.

“I know each and every game in the NRL is difficult, but to go to Vegas and then play the Roosters and Storm - the Panthers are up against it,” Graham said.

"But even if they do go 0-3, there will be no panic. And if it goes 3-0, no one will be surprised.

“Everyone knows, the Panthers can just relax and they’ll see you in September.”

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I am not sure the “No Home Ground Fortress” argument that many commenters harp on about really stands up.

Maybe it’s only something the Panthers faithful actually see as they experience it week in and week out, but this team thrives on a challenge, they crave it.

Every year the pundits will find a reason to write the Panthers off…

  • “Team X is just destined to win it this year”
  • “Player X has left, they can’t win it without them”
  • “Player Fatigue has to be setting in at Penrith, they won’t make it”
  • “After winning the last few titles, they must be bored of winning”

Season 2025 popular reason will be a “No Home Fortress” will ensure they won’t make it all the way.

I’m almost so confident I would say we could play nothing but Away games this coming season (I mean we essentially are), and could still take out the title.

This team is a different beast, and it’s what sets them apart for the other 16 teams, they don’t see these challenges as hurdles… they seen them as opportunities to better themselves.

Pin this comment… I stand to be corrected.

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We have only lost 1 more game away from home than at home in the last 3 seasons. We will make Parramatta our home fortress while we are there.

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They pretty much coasted all year, apart from a few times where they had something to prove. That first game against Roosters, then that beating vs sharks. Ivan must simply know when the team needs to put the foot down.

Simply wonderful coaching, and that won’t magically disappear. However, it will be more important than ever that Nathan stays fit throughout the season. The fact that the team has been able to win four comps whilst playing with very serious injuries each time is astounding.

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Any player who gets bored of winning should be cut. That is when it is easiest & most fun to play

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:black_circle: THE PERFECT OFF-SEASON: PANTHERS :black_circle:

Just when everyone is wondering if the roster drain has finally reached breaking point, and the players have inevitably lost motivation, the quest for a fifth consecutive premiership is ON.

No team has done that bar the mythical St George outfit that won 11 straight and the mighty 1920s Rabbitohs, and the chance to make that sort of history is irresistible, surging through the playing group as Ivan and Nathan Cleary return to mastermind another campaign.

Jarome Luai is out – Blaize Tulagi is in, with massive upside; James Fisher-Harris out – Lindsay Smith up and Isaiah Papalii in, with plenty to prove; Sunia Turuva out – Casey McLean, just give us some of that New Zealand Test form and we’ll make you a superstar, young man.

Pre-season gets each of the new men humming and come Round 1, they’ll be mighty thirsty for their own chapter of Penrith folklore. The culture of success makes them feel 10-feet tall and the risk of failure seems nil.

When you run a well-oiled machine that has demolished the NRL four years in a row, the trick is just to keep it oiled. Dylan Edwards and Isaah Yeo come back after Kangaroos glory healthy and hungry, as do grand final heroes Liam Martin and Paul Alamoti from injuries, and the belief burns as bright as ever that it’s their title to lose.

No one in the NRL era has done perfect quite like these Panthers, roster drain be damned. There are no major contract sagas looming this time, with every key player locked away, so every moment is spent thinking about lifting that trophy again.

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