The Panthers have a possibility to develop into the primary crew to win three premierships in-a-row within the NRL period — and Fox League’s Greg Alexander has defined precisely why Penrith may elevate the trophy once more.
Ivan Cleary’s facet have performed in three consecutive grand finals, reigning supreme in 2021 and 2022, beating the Rabbitohs and Eels respectively.
Parramatta had been the final crew to do the three-peat, beginning their unbelievable run of type in 1981, leaving Newtown and the Manly of their wake twice.
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Alexander, who received a premiership with the Panthers in 1991, believes the enjoying group’s “attitude” received’t be a problem coming into the 2023 season.
“I think this group of players, and I haven’t come across a group like them, they don’t rest on their laurels,” Alexander mentioned.
“For those 27 years between the Broncos in 1992 and 1993 and the Sydney Roosters in 2018 and 2019, every year the premiers would come into the season as the favourites.
“And at some stage through the year, generally at the back-end, that one per cent of drive and motivation was missing.
“I think these players are always looking to improve, they work hard, so I don’t think it will be attitude that will see them fail, if they do, it will be some other reason.
“Injuries could hurt them, but as they are right now and before the season gets underway it is always about who is missing.
“But if you can put that aside and they are two very influential players over the last couple of years, but they are up to win the competition again.”
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Whenever groups have success, golf equipment come knocking for his or her off-contract gamers and the Panthers have misplaced two key males this yr — Viliame Kikau and Apisai Koroisau.
Koroisau’s presence shall be sorely missed in the midst of the park, whereas Kikau’s damaging capability on the left edge has left a gaping gap.
Fox League’s Cooper Cronk known as for gun five-eighth Jarome Luai to face up in his absence and type a partnership with low season recruit Luke Garner.
The reality Viliame Kikau had 9 tries and 10 help final yr and was a part of that greatest left edge (within the comp)… Jarome Luai goes to should have an excellent ball-playing yr for them to make up these statistics that Kikau introduced,” Cronk mentioned.
“Kikau’s presence led to a lot of tries, a big physical guy that was hard to stop.
“Now not having that presence there, Luai’s ball-playing and creativity and craft is going to have to improve for those tries to continue to come.
“I don’t see them changing, I see the same style of play, but can Luai take his game to another level?
“So that work ethic and not resting on your laurels that Brandy was talking about, that’s something Jarome Luai needs to attack this year.”
Source web site: www.foxsports.com.au
