Once once more, the Panthers are the reigning premiership-winners and as soon as once more Ivan Cleary must discover a solution to substitute outgoing stars.
The final two seasons has confirmed the grasp coach is aware of precisely what he’s doing in terms of recruitment and blooding juniors.
Expect the 2024 season to be no totally different as Penrith navigate life with out Stephen Crichton, Spencer Leniu and Jack Cogger.
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Panthers powerbrokers have drafted in two new choices to be the back-up halves pairing, whereas the membership is about to look inside to interchange Leniu.
Meanwhile, the centre place might be the spot most underneath the highlight with a returning star set to fill the void within the exterior backs.
Read on for the Panthers’ state of play!
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2023 FINISH: 1st W18 L6 (premiers)
COACHES: Ivan Cleary
Ivan Cleary has cemented himself as one of many recreation’s finest ever coaches lately, steering his facet to a three-peat of premierships. What makes his achievements much more particular is he has been in a position to replicate success with totally different workers in tow. Both Cameron Ciraldo and Andrew Webster departed on the finish of the 2022 season, becoming a member of the Bulldogs and Warriors respectively. Cleary then went about including Peter Wallace and Ben Gardiner as his assistants, and each clearly have had an influence on the Panthers squad, who had been in a position to bounce again from an unthinkable place within the grand closing to beat the Broncos. Premierships are the indicator of whether or not a coach is classed as one in all rugby league’s finest, and Cleary has three to his identify in as a few years.
PLAYERS IN: Daine Laurie (Wests Tigers), Brad Schneider (Hull KR), Paul Alamoti (Bulldogs)
The Panthers have as soon as once more been savvy with their enterprise dealings.
Daine Laurie started his NRL profession on the foot of the mountain earlier than transferring to the Tigers, changing into an everyday starter earlier than falling out of favour in 2023.
With 52 NRL video games now underneath his belt, the 24-year-old returns and improved participant and might be the person to fill in for consultant stars when unavailable.
He may additionally push to be the No.14 however might be dealing with stiff competitors from Brad Schneider.
The former Raider might be the subsequent halfback whose profession has been remodeled on the Panthers, with Sean O’Sullivan and Jack Cogger transferring on to greener pastures in current seasons.
Paul Alamoti has additionally made the transfer to Penrith from the Bulldogs and has performed within the centres throughout his debut NRL season.
However, the Panthers are anticipated to try to transition him into the backrow, hoping to utilise his sturdy ball-running skills and energy within the forwards.
PLAYERS OUT: Stephen Crichton (Bulldogs), Spencer Leniu (Roosters), Jaeman Salmon (Bulldogs), Jack Cogger (Knights), Tom Jenkins (Knights), Chris Smith (unsigned), Eddie Blacker (unsigned)
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SQUAD: Ativalu Lisati (2024), Brad Schneider (2025), Brian To’o (2027), Daine Laurie (2024), Dylan Edwards (2028), Harrison Hassett (2025), Isaah Yeo (2027), Izack Tago (2025), Jack Cole (2026), James Fisher-Harris (2026), Jarome Luai (2024), Jesse McLean (2026), Liam Henry (2026), Liam Martin (2027), Lindsay Smith (2026), Luke Garner (2024), Matt Eisenhuth (2024), Mavrik Geyer (2025), Mitch Kenny (2024), Moses Leota (2027), Nathan Cleary (2027), Paul Alamoti (2024), Scott Sorensen (2026), Soni Luke (2025), Sunia Turuva (2024), Taylan May (2024), Tyrone Peachey (2024), Zac Hosking (2024)
DEVELOPMENT PLAYERS: Isaiah Iongi (2025), Luke Sommerton (2024), Preston Riki (2024), Riley Price (2025)
WHERE THEY NEED TO IMPROVE: Pinpointing the place the Panthers want to enhance is like discovering a needle in a haystack.
However, if you happen to’re going to choose and space the Panthers may enhance in it’s their bench utility choice.
Following the departure of Apisai Koroisau, Mitch Kenny moved into the beginning hooker choice and carried out admirably, albeit a unique type of dummy-half.
Soni Luke was billed as the person to take the No.14 jersey however didn’t cement his spot and as such fell out of the facet.
Luke Sommerton and Tyrone Peachey stuffed in because the utility at totally different levels of the season, however Daine Laurie might be an choice in 2024.
Ivan Cleary has beforehand used his utility for under a brief interval to offer Kenny a breather at hooker, however the participant chosen normally has the power to play within the exterior backs.
WHO THEY COULD SIGN FOR 2024: The Panthers at the moment have two spots remaining of their high 30 roster and received’t be making any huge cash signings between now and the beginning of the 2024 season.
To add depth to their ahead pack, one participant springs to thoughts — Tom Eisenhuth.
He isn’t the flashiest of gamers, but when Craig Bellamy is a fan and picks you in his facet, you clearly convey high quality to the desk.
Eisenhuth performed a single NRL recreation for the Panthers in 2012 earlier than plying his commerce in NSW Cup for a number of years.
He ultimately was launched in 2018 and joined the Storm, happening to play 58 video games and changing into an integral determine underneath Bellamy.
Eisenhuth might be a wise signing at a discount for the Panthers to offer depth and utility to their squad, nonetheless he has been linked with a transfer to the Dragons.
Shane Flanagan reportedly is determined to amass his expertise and as such has handed him a high 30 deal for the 2024 season which is but to be confirmed.
Until then, the Panthers may nonetheless make a play and recruit their former first grader.
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PLAYER UNDER MOST PRESSURE: Taylan May.
Taylan May may slot straight into the centres this season after a knee damage sidelined him for the entire 2023 season.
By no fault of his personal, the microscope is all the time on the Panthers gamers who’re filling gaps left by departing gamers.
Stephen Crichton was arguably the very best centre within the recreation final season, and May has some huge sneakers to fill in 2024.
But if anybody is ready to do it, it’s this assured 22-year-old who took the NRL world by storm in his debut season.
In 2022 he scored a ridiculous 16 tries in 21 video games and solid a ridiculously sturdy partnership with Izack Tago down the left facet of the sphere.
YOUNG GUN TO WATCH: Liam Henry
Once once more, the highlight is on who will fill a gap for the premiership-winning Panthers, and this workforce it’s Spencer Leniu’s emptiness.
The hard-running prop packed a punch off the bench, and Liam Henry might be the person to fill the void and be a part of the center rotation.
While Matt Eisenhuth is a extra skilled answer, Ivan Cleary likes to look to his juniors, as seen by the emergence of Lindsay Smith in 2023.
Henry, 22, is a rustic boy and hails from Blayney in central west NSW, having already performed three first grade video games since making his debut in 2022.
The hard-running prop was additionally handed an enormous contract extension in March this 12 months, signing on till the top of 2026 in a displaying of religion from Panthers powerbrokers.
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