Penrith coach Anthony Griffin has taken the Panthers into a crisis camp to salvage their season

UNDER-pressure Penrith coach Anthony Griffin has taken the Panthers into a crisis camp as he attempts to salvage their season against Wayne Bennett.

UNDER-pressure Penrith coach Anthony Griffin has taken the Panthers into a crisis camp as he attempts to salvage their season against his coaching bunny Wayne Bennett.

The Panthers jetted into the Gold Coast under a veil of secrecy, opting to spend the week in Queensland ahead of Thursday’s clash against Brisbane.

Griffin, in his second season at Penrith, is under mounting pressure at the foot of the mountains following the Panthers’ stuttering start to 2017.

The Panthers were tipped to be premiership contenders but are languishing near the bottom of the ladder with just two wins from eight rounds.

KAHU FIT FOR PANTHERS

Griffin knows the outcome if he doesn’t perform. Photo: Gregg Porteous

However, Griffin will be fancying himself against the Broncos, the club he coached from 2011-14 before being replaced by Bennett.

He holds a remarkable record when opposing Bennett — losing just one of 10 matches (eight wins, one draw) against the seven-time premiership-winning coach.

While the Panthers have been struggling, Broncos veteran Sam Thaiday said that is why Brisbane could not take them lightly at Suncorp Stadium.

“That’s probably why they’re most dangerous,” he said. “We had a lapse in the second half against Souths and we can’t afford to do that.

“It’s a bit of a redemption round for (Griffin). He likes coming up against Wayne now. I’m sure throughout this week he will be getting those boys pumped.

“They’ve got a fairly strong squad. They were talked up at the start of this season as a real contender. I’m sure at some point they are going to really flick the switch and come out and play some really good footy. Hopefully it’s not against us.”

The Panthers will spend two days training on the Gold Coast before shifting base to Brisbane. They conducted a similar preparation last year and thumped the Broncos by 19 points.

Brisbane has won its past two matches but they have been unconvincing victories. They escaped with a two-point win against the Titans thanks to Matt Gillett’s charge down and beat the Rabbitohs in controversial circumstances last Friday.

“We would like to win and win in an easier fashion than we have over the last few rounds,” Thaiday said.

“We’ve cut it close. It’s almost like we’re trying to kill off Wayne and give him a heart attack every week. His heart is sticking through the test of those games.

“We’d like to put in an 80-minute performance.”

The Broncos are likely to welcome winger Jordan Kahu back from a groin strain when their squad is announced on Tuesday.