Coach: Matthew Elliott
Gains: David Simmons (Sharks) Daine Laurie (Tigers), Nigel Plum (Raiders), Travis Burns (Cowboys), Adrian Purtell (Canberra Raiders), Kevin Kingston (Parramatta Eels), Aaron Sweeney (Broncos)
Losses: Paul Aiton (Sharks), Geoff Daniela (Tigers), Junior Tia Kilifi (Bulldogs), Adam Woolnough (out to pasture), Junior Moors (Tigers),
2010 Squad: Matthew Bell, Maurice Blair, Travis Burns, Petero Civoniceva, Gavin Cooper, Lachlan Coote, Shane Elford, Michael Gordon, Wade Graham, Tim Grant, Masada Iosefa, Michael Jennings, Kevin Kingston, Daine Laurie, Luke Lewis, Sam McKendry, Joseph Paulo, Daniel Penese, Nigel Plum, Frank Pritchard, Frank Puletua, Adrian Purtell, Joel Romelo, Jarrod Sammut, David Simmons, Nathan Smith, Brad Tighe, Luke Walsh, Trent Waterhouse
The Penrith Panthers draw for 2010.
In 2010, the Penrith Panthers will…
…need to justify their existance. And remember to choose their tattooists carefully. They’ll also need to cash in on the promise that their squad shows.
While the Panthers did not buy any big names, they bought the best of the journeymen players on the market. Travis Burns could add some direction in the halves that the Panthers missed last year. Kingston is another good pick up after his great year with Parra.
A weakness that was apparent late last year was the tendency for Pritchard and Jennings to go missing in big games when things aren’t going the Panthers’ way. They are great players and they need to start playing by example in all games.
But with a fit Petero to show the way up front, the Panthers have the talent to be the smokies in this year’s comp.
4 responses so far ↓
Mountain Boy // Mar 5, 2010 at 7:33 pm
Ok me first. I think the Panthers will have a great year. Sure, anyone will say about the team they follow. Trying real hard to be objective about this, I have a great sense that there is just the right mix of quality experience and young talent. Those with short memories wont be able to tell you (errr because they forgot..) that Penrith had no big names in their team when they won in ’03 – apart from Gower and Girds. Names like Paul Whatuira, Preston Campbell, Joe Gulavao, Martin Lang. These guys were the backbone of a premiership side yet the man in the street would have trouble telling you who they played for. Plenty of so-called no-names this year? Ever heard of a chamopion team beating a team of champions? Oh – and we also have The Street Machine – Michael Jennings. He’s no no-name. Fantastic move by Elliott (and none too soon) to move Jennings from left centre over to the right. Cause havoc out there Street Machine. Not putting too much emphasis on trials but the trouble the Penrith 2nds gave Parra 1sts the other week gives an indication that the tide is turning, maybe even a tsunami. Better head for the mountains. Panthers 2010!
Mountain Boy // Mar 5, 2010 at 7:35 pm
those chamopion teams – hard to beat
Bismark O'Measles // Mar 5, 2010 at 10:34 pm
Daine Laurie will look good in black.
Shaun // Mar 5, 2010 at 10:48 pm
MB, as said before, my problem with Jennings is that he can go missing. There are times when he needs to go looking for the footy and not be content to hang in the centres waiting for it.
Something he may need to do in Origin is Bellamy gets the halves wrong again. You’d think a game plan would have some component that involved getting the ball to your fastest centre.