NRL 2023: Mick Fanning defends Penrith Panthers, blames ‘tall poppy syndrome’ for criticism

World surf champion Mick Fanning has leapt to the defence of the Panthers, claiming Aussies can’t help but try to knock down ‘whoever is up the top’, amid criticism of their on-field antics.

Panthers take on the Broncos in Sunday’s NRL grand final.

Penrith-born three-time world surfing champion Mick Fanning has described criticism of his Panthers – through their on-field antics – as the “tall poppy syndrome.”

“Australia is notorious for it,” he said.

And when asked which was more frightening, the South African shark which attacked him in 2015 or Reece Walsh’s sizzling speed, Fanning said: “If I was on the footy field, I’d be scared of Reece Walsh.”

Fanning is a lifetime Penrith fan and was inside the victorious Panthers dressing room after Friday night’s preliminary final win over Melbourne.

And he will be front and centre for Sunday’s epic grand final against Walsh’s brash Broncos at Accor Stadium.

Fanning, aware his Panthers attract condemnation, was quick to mount a defence, declaring: “Australia is notorious for the tall poppy syndrome. We always try to knock off whoever is up the top.

“That’s just our culture. You don’t buy into it.

Mick Fanning in the sheds with Ivan and Nathan Cleary after their win preliminary final win over Melbourne. Picture: Panthers Instagram.

“People can look at it any way they want. I’m sure if it was their team that was doing it, they’d be saying: ‘That’s mental’.

“We see it in other teams. People used to write off the Broncos when they were on fire for so long. Everyone hates Manly, right? Everyone has their different opinions and it all depends where you’re coming from.”

Asked if Penrith had cockiness, Fanning said: “I wouldn’t say cockiness. I don’t really like the word cockiness. Confidence, yeah, and belief.

“They have been at the top for so long so there are no easy days. Everyone is coming to take your throne and I think they understand that.

“People try to knock you off or use the word cockiness to ruffle your feathers and make you question things … but it’s just belief. It’s something that they’ve earned.

“You do what you believe is the right thing and perform the way you know how to perform and the way you want to perform.

“You’ve got to remember these kids are young, the team is young, but they back each other every game, on and off the field. They celebrate with each other, which is amazing and they’re comfortable around each other.

“Penrith has showed why they are such a dominant side and they have proven that, week-in, week-out, over how many years.”

This masthead cheekily asked whether his famous Jeffreys Bay shark was as scary as Walsh’s speed.

“If I was on the footy field, I’d be scared of Reece Walsh. I don’t have to tackle him,” Fanning said. “Man, that kid is certainly an incredible talent isn’t he? He played amazing on Saturday night. He’s going to be a big threat.

“His speed is crazy. That break he made in the first half. He had his hands on his hips and then he just took off. It was wild. That’s what great players do and it’s awesome to see him using his talent but as a Penrith fan I hope he doesn’t use it too much on the weekend.”

Fanning offered reasons why Sunday’s decider will be fascinating – and why Penrith will win.

“The biggest stars shine under the brightest lights and it doesn’t get any brighter than when you get to a grand final,” he said. “Brisbane has the flair but when things get difficult, Penrith don’t falter. That’s what will get them over the line.

“Penrith is in a really good position now where they can go out there and just play, put it all on the line and let it all hang out.

Fanning once came face-to-face with a Shark in JBay, but says he’d be scared of Reece Walsh running at him. Picture: AFP.

“Talking to the players in the early stages (before their streak started) and they were like: ‘How do we get there and how do we win?’ Now that they’ve been there and they know how to do it. It’s almost like: ‘Let’s go and show everyone why we’re the best’.

“When you come into the semi-finals, that nervousness of losing sort of disappears and it’s more about: ‘Okay, let’s go and put on a performance we know we’re capable of’. And, even if you lose, you’re lost to the best team that year.

“Last Friday night (against Melbourne) was amazing. They showed a lot of dominance. It was close for that first 20 minutes and then they hit another gear, this power, and it was like: ‘See you later’.”

PROOF NRL GRAND FINAL COULD BE OVER BY HALFTIME

This could become rugby league’s first 40-minute grand final.

The engravers might as well start working on the Provan-Summons trophy if Penrith is leading at halftime because they are the ultimate frontrunners.

Statistically, Penrith are virtually unbeatable when ahead at the break.

In their past 73 games, Penrith has lost just once when in front at the break and that was a State of Origin affected match against North Queensland in round 16 this year.

Fox Sports Lab has revealed the seven Panthers who know how to ice games when leading at halftime.

Remarkably, forward Isaah Yeo and centre Stephen Crichton haven’t lost in 66 games with Penrith leading after 40 minutes.

Then there are Jarome Luai (65 games), Moses Leota (64), Liam Martin (63), Nathan Cleary (57) and Brian To’o (53). It’s clear- if Penrith is leading at halftime, it’s game over.

Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo of the Panthers come off the field at halftime during the qualifying final against the Warriors. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

“Those stats are extraordinary,” said Panthers legend and club director Greg Alexander.

“Penrith has an ability to focus for the full 80 minutes which separates them from the other teams – not to assume anything at any moment, not to think I can clock off because this is what I think might happen,” Alexander said.

“In the age of the structured game, it is easy to fall into a trap of: ‘I’ve seen this before and this is what will happen now’. But something different does happen and you don’t move that half a yard that you should have in defence.

“Other sides can’t just can’t do it for 80 minutes, they just can’t maintain that defensive pressure, they can’t maintain their execution, they don’t have the ability to stick to the game plan for the 80 minutes.

“They can go for 20 minutes, go for 30, some sides take good teams to the 60th or 70th minute mark but in the end they fail to do it for the 80 minutes. That’s a fact – that’s what happens.

“It’s an 80 minute game and sides just don’t have that focus and willingness not to deviate from the plan.

“I just think it’s down to their ability to play for 80 minutes. The difference between the outstanding sides and the others is that ability. It’s no surprise given what Penrith base their game on.”

The TAB’s Rohan Welsh added: “Because the Panthers are generally short odds to win head-to-head each week they’ve become the darlings of the same game multi punters who are looking for a bit more value, and the halftime stat has paid off for them.

“They already dominate betting in those halftime markets and are $2.15 to be leading at halftime and full-time in our doubles.”

None of these seven players have lost a game when ahead at halftime since round 5, 2020. In that match, during Covid, Penrith led 10-0 at halftime before eventually losing 16-10 to Parramatta.

“When you look at the sides that have been great in the NRL era, generally they are the best defensive teams,” Alexander said.

“And that is another thing that does not change throughout the 80 minutes – a desperation and a willingness to push themselves and get to where the ball is for the 80 minutes.

“In makes what they have done over the last years, in the salary cap era, quite remarkable.”