PANTHERS AHEAD OF EELS IN BATTLE OF WEST

With all the blogs about Jennings at the moment it got me thinking about how similar a position the panthers are in to the Eels. They, like the Eels are struggling on the field, Have (had) a star player not performing to the best of his ability either on the field or the training paddock every week,player unrest and so on.

I believe the Panthers are ahead of the Eels in their attempts to rectify the problems, Phil Gould has made the tough decisions to weed out any problem players even if they are fan favourites. He has established that the core leadership group,Petro and Lewis were a part of the problem and he has moved them on along with established players like Burns and now their biggest star in Jennings.

The Panthers, like the Eels are using 2013 to re-establish themselves as a competitive club but have a head start as they, unlike the Eels were able to improve their roster with many quality gains.

PENRITH PANTHERS

2013 Gains: Sam Anderson (Newcastle Knights, 2013), Lewis Brown (New Zealand Warriors, 2015), Ethan Cook (Newcastle Knights, 2014), Maurice Kennedy (2013), Jeremy Latimore (St George Illawarra Dragons, 2014), Sika Manu (Melbourne Storm, 2015), Wes Naiqama (Newcastle Knights, 2014), Kyle O'Donnell (Newcastle Knights, 2014), Moses Pangai (North Queensland Cowboys, 2014), James Roberts (2014), James Segeyaro (North Queensland Cowboys, 2015), Dean Whare (Manly Sea Eagles, 2014) 2013 Losses: Mitch Achurch (Leeds Rhinos), Travis Burns (Hull Kingston Rovers), Sandor Earl (Canberra Raiders), Michael Gordon (Cronulla Sharks), Luke Lewis (Cronulla Sharks), Nafe Seluini (Sydney Roosters), Masada Iosefa (Wests Tigers) Re-Signed: Blake Austin (2015), Adam Docker (2014), Matt Robinson (2014), Luke Walsh (2015) Off Contract 2012: Tom Eisenhuth, Sarafu Fatiaki, Mitchel Johnson, Shane Shackleton, Junior Tia-Kilifi, Etu Uaisele, Damien Cook, Arana Taumata, Junior Vaivai 2013 Coach: Ivan Cleary

While i believe the Panthers are ahead of the Eels in regards to rectifying the problems that exist in the club i'm not sure how they will fair in 2013 as there could still be some player unrest but i think their long term future is looking better than the Eels at the moment.

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  • Gordon and Lewis loved the Penrith club, what he did to them was an absolute disgrace. They could have built a young team around those two yet decided not to and go pick up Wes Naiquama who assaulted his girlfriend. Junior Vaivai also assaulted his girlfriend on Australia Day and once Parra heard that they cancelled his contract. They've also recruited Sika Manu without going into investigation on how established First graders from the Melbourne Storm turn out when initially going to other clubs.

    And to say Parra aren't resolving their problems is a bit harsh. No we haven't bought anyone of note in regards to players but we have gotten rid of the coach who coached us to third last in 2011 and last in 2012 and have brought in the NSW Origin coach. We have also gotten rid of some of the dead-weight in Esi Tonga, Justin Horo, Justin Poore, Shane Shackleton and Jamil Hopoate. Not to mention the re-signing of 4 of our best junior prospects until 2015, the acquisition of Isaiah Mosese and others to hopefully help our young NYC team.

    To me it seems that Gould is at the moment looking for a quick fix at the surface level of Penrith but Parra are looking at doing it throughout the junior competitions as well.

    • In regards to Gorden and Lewis yes it does look harsh on the outside looking in but looking at the Lewis situation,first he was dropped as captain then moved on from the club this to me suggests that there was some kind of problem with his leadership and the influence he had on the playing group. Sometime you have to cut the problem of at the head to get results.

      I haven't said that Parra aren't trying to resolve their problems i just think we are behind the Panthers at the moment because they have been able to recruit well where we haven't.

      I don't know whats happening at the junior level at Penrith so you might be spot on in regards to the quick fix, as for Parra they started work on the junior development a season or two ago and i'm quite happy with they way thats coming along.

    • The Parra Junior signings are extremely exciting, but in a long term perspective.

    • Fair call Ham

    • yeah right on, Ham. I think the Eels are going to do well this year. We may or may not reach the top 8 but we won't get the spoon or be near the bottom of the ladder. Stuart once said he wanted to coach Parra because of the juniors. That was why he snapped a lot of these young guns up. Some credit have to go to Kerneary for he set up a good system of hanging on to these young players and he did and they're still there because of him. I would've kept SK on as a junior developement officer as , you must admit, had a good eye on young talent-Blair, Sio, and a few others, even got Kelly who's gonna be a hot young player of the future. No, I don't think Parra lost out. Panthers did. Lost good players and signed on crappy players.

  • Lewis' contract was too much apparently, Gould didn't like it that's why Lewis was let go, nothing more, nothing less.

  • oh horseshit

    • do you think Parra are ahead of the Panthers in regards to solving their problems? If so explain why if you don't mind thanks beeeels.

    • Gee beeeels your lucky, the last time I used that word the powers that be put *** all through it. U must have some influence around here

  • The Panthers are a mess ATM, look at who they have lost the last few years

     

    Petro,Lewis,Waterhouse,Jennings,Gordon and then they lose a young talent like Henry Sjeka while still hanging on to an absolute Nuffy like Walsh. They have made some deent second tier signings but unless some of their young talent steps up i can't see them soming stone motherless last this season.

     

    A guy like lewis was the heart and soul of that club and to kick him out shows the arrogance of Bee sting face, they are going to free up some money and throw it all at JT. A superstar player but he will be 31 with dodgy shoulders. I think Parra are building from the ground up and while next season will be tough i think we are set up for a very good 14/15 and 2016.

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