It is now a watershed moment for the Penrith Panthers franchise. Their long-term ambition is to keep changing the record books in 2025 when they win a unique fifth straight premiership. The team is just one win and five losses into the current season. This dismal showing is their worst start since 2013. This dismal performance is the worst ever election result recorded by a defending premier. It’s a bit like the Brisbane Broncos, who lost their first five matches all the way back in 1999. The Panthers have gotten off to an ugly start. They must unite and overcome adversity to prevent their championship tradition from fading.
In their recent match against the Dolphins, the Panthers dominated possession and displayed a better completion rate, yet they still fell short, losing 30-12 at Lang Park. Penrith possessed a dozen more scoring chances than the Dolphins, their offence at times quite mechanical. Their defense showed obvious mental breakdowns all over the field. Four of the Dolphins’ five tries came from long-range efforts, showcasing the Panthers’ vulnerabilities in defense.
Defensive Struggles
Panthers’ captain Nathan Cleary pointed out the pressing issues within the team’s defense after their latest defeat.
“It’s pretty obvious our defence is not up to standard, and it’s having an effect on the rest of our game,” – Nathan Cleary
Cleary’s statement is indicative of a larger problem as this very team still struggles to make sense of these defensive mishaps. The lapses on defense have not only affected their ability to stop opposing teams but have impacted their overall performance on the field.
The Panthers must address these defensive issues immediately if they hope to turn their season around and avoid further setbacks. That urgency is very real, because they understand the stakes, and that unless they make big strides, they will be left behind in an increasingly fierce competition.
Overcoming Challenges
While his side grapples with recent disappointment, coach Ivan Cleary’s faith in his squad’s ability to rebound is unshaken. He firmly believes in his players’ capabilities and encourages them to work hard toward improvement.
“Of course we can. Because I have faith in the boys,” – Ivan Cleary
Ivan Cleary’s confidence may serve as a motivational force for the team as they strive to recover from this rocky start. After all, the Panthers have lulled us all into their amazing accomplishments in recent years. Plus, they’ll have to recapture that spark fast to stay on track for their anniversary premiership dreams.
Nathan Cleary supplemented this point, saying they need to do the work to fix the things they’ve messed up.
“We’ve got to get to work and improve it, because if we don’t, it will keep happening.” – Nathan Cleary
Looking Ahead
As the Panthers look forward towards future games, they have a weeks-long uphill battle in front of them. Their current record leaves little room for error if they wish to emulate the success of two NRL teams that overcame similar struggles: Brisbane in 2006 and Melbourne in 2012. In doing so, both teams became the first in history to win the premiership after losing their first five matches of the season.
Talk about a recovery! The Dolphins have returned with a vengeance! Coming off two consecutive wins, they’ve recovered from a difficult opening stretch that started with four losses. This turnaround is just one example of the unpredictable nature of the league and admonishes all involved that fortunes change in a heartbeat.
