Premiers will be hard to beat
For the first time since 2004 , the Penrith Panthers are heading towards the beginning of an NRL season as Premiers . Trying to retain the trophy is one of the toughest tasks for NRL clubs , as history goes to show only one team has managed to go back-to-back ( Sydney Roosters 2018-2019 ) since the famous Broncos sides of 1992 and 1993 .
Penrith have lost a few players from their 2021 premiership-winning squad . Tyrone May was sacked by the club and has found a new home in France with the Catalans Dragons for the 2022 Super League season .
Queensland representative Kurt Capewell moves on to join the likes of Adam Reynolds in a new revolution at the Brisbane Broncos . Paul Momirovski just spent the one season with Penrith and ended it with a premiership ring after an outstanding year in the centres as he returns to the Sydney Roosters following the retirement of Josh Morris .
Brent Naden and Tevita Pangai Jr are joined by the highest-profile loss of Matt Burton to the Canterbury Bulldogs .
No major recruits have been picked up apart from the crafty half Sean O ’ Sullivan who has already represented the Roosters , Broncos and Warriors . Winger Christian Crichton links up with brother Stephen again after a stint with the Bulldogs .
Mark Geyer ’ s son Mavrik is a promising talent to watch this season after an eye-catching performance in Penrith ’ s thumping 34-6 win over Cronulla in a pre-season trial . Izack Tago is a young man who can have a breakout season in 2022 after showing glimpses of his speed and skill in 2021 .
Strength Despite a few big-name losses , Penrith have enough depth to cover them . Jarome Luai and Nathan Cleary have enough ability and talent to steer this side to
WITH PATRICK STAVELEY
Penrith fans will be hoping for more of this in 2022 .
another premiership on their own but their supporting party is full of rep stars , Brian To ’ o , Api Koroisau , Stephen Crichton , James Fisher-Harris , Viliame Kikau , Isaah Yeo and Liam Martin and a host of other brilliant players in their main side .
Weakness After the depth of last year , Penrith are a bit skinny in the outside backs department . Dylan Edwards is undoubtedly the fullback while To ’ o , Stephen Crichton and Charlie Staines have their names on the sheet . There ’ s a fight as to who takes the last wing / centre spot and a question of who would come in if there was an injury or illness .
Likely 17 Dylan Edwards 2 . Brian To ’ o 3 . Stephen Crichton 4 . Izack Tago 5 . Charlie Staines 6 . Jarome Luai 7 . Nathan Cleary 8 . Moses Leota 9 . Apisai Koroisau 10 . James Fisher- Harris 11 . Viliame Kikau 12 . Liam Martin 13 . Isaah Yeo 14 . Mitch Kenny 15 . Scott Sorensen 16 . Spencer Leniu 17 . Matt Eisenhuth
Prediction Penrith have showed how hard they are to beat and I can ’ t see them finishing outside the top four . We ’ ll see if they have the same level of desire come finals time .
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OUT IN FORCE is an unraced Snitzel 3YO out of the Brett Cavanough camp at Scone . Really attacked the line strongly in first trial over 900m at Scone on Feb 14 . Keep an eye out for this bloke .
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AMERICAN PRESIDENT and CHARACTER ran first and third respectively in a 801m trial at the Farm on Feb 14 . The winner showed pace and was strong on the line and Character really rattled home the final 150m .
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THE HAWKESBURY INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine . com . au ISSUE 142 // MARCH 2022 41