PENRITH

Whare extended his contract until 2017, stoked.

 

Idris

 

People blowing up all over the Penrith facey about Tighe leaving and calling him the most under rated player in the game.


I don't mind the addition of Idris, although it's a massive about face from saying that Jennings needs to gagf.

 

Season 2014 is really the make or break for Gould and Cleary imo. They were pretty adamant that a toxic culture existed and the club needed a mass clear out. That's happened over the last 2 seasons and they now have a roster that they've picked and planned themselves.

They over achieved in 2013 which was a pleasant surprise, but really it was just another classic Penrith of old 10th-12th finish. If they fail to make the 8 this year they'll come under a lot of scrutiny. It really needs to be 6th-8th this year with a premiership window opening for 2015/16.

 

I was totally against them getting rid of Lewis. As far as I was/am concerned there was no better leader and club man to take the club forward. I could see the logic in letting guys like Gordon, Waterhouse, Jennings and co go, but Luke Lewis being stripped of the captaincy and basically told to go and get was a bitter pill to swallow. There was a lot of dead wood that needed clearing, but I certainly didn't, and still don't, think Lewis was an example of it.



I've highly commended Cleary and Gould previous for the 2013 results, in reality though they managed 2 extra wins from the 2011 season and a 10th finish instead of 12th. My comment in regards to the 'classic Penrith 10th-12th finish' was purely in regards to the end result, rather than the way they got there. There's no arguing that that the season gave a lot of people hope and showed signs of a much improved attitude, but it really doesn't mean anything if they don't go on from here and make the 8 in 2014 (barring mass injuries etc).

 

It means nothing if they don't back it up and go on to make the 8 though. If they come up short of the 8 in 2014 Gould and Cleary have basically ripped out the core of Penrith juniors and fan favourites to ship in a bunch of ex warriors and past prime oldies to leave the club languishing outside the 8. I think there'd be a lot of pressure on those in charge in 2015 if that turns out to be the case.


I'm quietly confident of a 6th-8th this year though, should field a strong team and pick up some cheap wins come origin time.

 

I think the game plan will be very simple and quite effective against lesser teams, dominate field position with a strong pack and Sowards kicking, grinding teams down and scoring simple tries. Idris out wide is a really good get in this regard, he'll be getting a lot of ball in attacking territory and probably has the power to get over a lot of other starting NRL centres. Whare started to show quite a bit of class last season too. I reckon Segeyaro will be in for a 12 try+ season if stays fully fit, with quite a lot of them being classic boring dummy half scurries over the line.


I see it being a plan that leaves them looking a good side, but a step or two behind the top sides. They certainly won't appear to be a 'dark horse' type side that are deadly if they click, it will be a pretty consistent season (I think) and may even see Penrith being a bit of a yard stick of the competition.


Agree with magic about Masoe, thought he was the perfect addition to the likes of Plum, McKendry and Grant with Docker as cover.

 

Naquiama in the 1 is interesting. Could mean Moylan in the halves, or Cleary is retaining his wood for John.