Panthers 2017: Star player out of form, captain out of position and a coach out of ideas

AFTER lighting up the NRL in 2016 to surge to the semi-finals, many experts tipped the Panthers to purr again in 2017, they haven’t — and this is why.

FLASH back to February and Penrith were trumpeted as premiership favourites.

After lighting up the NRL in 2016 to surge to the semi-finals, many experts tipped the Panthers to purr again in 2017.

And why not.

With their core playing group locked in for another four years, the game’s youngest team were in a prime position to capitalise.

Throw in the recruitment of former Test and Origin prop James Tamou and the return from injury of representative outside backs Peta Hiku and Dean Whare, and there was no reason why Penrith couldn’t perform strongly.

Well, that’s what we thought.

Nine rounds into the ’17 season and the Panthers are languishing in fourteenth position with just two wins.

The mountain men could drop to second last if the Jarryd Hayne-led Gold Coast beat bottom placed Newcastle on Saturday afternoon.

It’s a disastrous start for a highly-fancied Penrith side, who from the outside, looked destined for a strong season.

On the inside, though, the players privately struggled with the weight of expectation as premiership favourites.

It was a tag, unwarranted in some senses, that didn’t sit comfortably with the playing group and we’ve seen this uneasiness in Penrith’s football to start the season.

The Panthers have lost five straight and need to win 10 of their remaining 15 matches to qualify for the finals.

Unfortunately, an all-important top four berth already appears to be lost.

So what has gone wrong at the foot of the mountains?

CARTWRIGHT DRAMA

Bryce Cartwright of the Panthers.

Just hours after their opening-round flogging to St George Illawarra, Penrith received another blow with serious news involving star playmaker Bryce Cartwright hitting the stands.

Panthers players woke to headlines that Cartwright had paid a ‘fixer’ to negotiate a $50,000 abortion deal after his girlfriend revealed she was pregnant.

It was almost like Cartwright knew the shocking revelations were coming, because he struggled against the Dragons.

This news kickstarted Penrith’s season in the worst possible fashion and it’s fair to say Cartwright hasn’t been at his usual best since.

Due to an ankle injury, the once damaging back-rower has played just four games this season.

This is a far cry from Cartwright’s stellar form in 2016, which saw him star in 26 matches as one of Penrith’s best players.

MOYLAN UNCERTAINTY

Penrith captain Matt Moylan. Picture: Mark Evans

There’s no doubting Matt Moylan is the main man at Penrith.

Gifted with natural rugby league speed and skill, Moylan holds the key to the Panthers’ premiership aspirations.

But is he the man to captain Penrith long-term?

Talk to people around the game and Moylan is somewhat of a reluctant leader, in terms of being outspoken to the playing group.

The Baulkham Hills-born playmaker prefers to lead through his actions, which he has more than proven in recent seasons.

Moylan, though, isn’t as forthcoming when it comes to the difficult decisions and it’s why many believe veteran hooker Peter Wallace would be a sterner, more fitting option as skipper.

Also, what captain gets dropped to reserve grade for breaking curfew?

It’s hardly the example you want from your captain.

Of greater significance, though, is the popular belief Moylan is playing out of position at the Panthers.

While he looks more than comfortable at fullback, it’s widely regarded that the Penrith skipper would prosper greatly from playing five-eighth.

Coach Griffin, though, refuses to move him from fullback.

COACH GRIFFIN

Panther's coach Anthony Griffin. Picture: Gregg Porteous

From the moment Anthony Griffin arrived at Penrith in 2015, he wasted little time setting his standards high.

In fact, Griffin used his first press conference to put some of the club’s biggest stars on notice by failing to guarantee the futures of Jamie Soward and Jamal Idris.

The Brisbane-mentor also implemented Wayne Bennett-style standards in his first season in charge in 2016.

Basics like removing dirty boots after training, cleaning lockers before leaving and no singlets, thongs or caps at meal time may seem regimented and over the top, but the old school values rubbing off on the players and led to strong results.

Twelve months on and there is a different vibe surrounding Griffin from the playing group.

A disconnect, stemming largely from a lack of communication.

Talk to people close to the Penrith club and the young Panthers are crying out for a talk or a simple arm around the shoulder.

In many ways it’s the reality of managing the modern day Gen Y player, but that’s not to suggest the players are being sooks.

No, far from it.

They just need someone to care about their lives, problems and concerns beyond the process and systems involved in mastering the NRL.

And Griffin is certainly capable.

From his days in the Queensland Cup with Souths Logan and Redcliffe to guiding the likes of Ben Hunt and Andrew McCullough to the Under 20s grand final in 2008, the man nicknamed ‘Hook’ has always enjoyed helping the next generation.

RECRUIT STRUGGLING

James Tamou has failed to deliver. Picture: Gregg Porteous

We all know what James Tamou is capable of at his damaging best, but we haven’t seen it at the Panthers this season.

In all fairness, Tamou has been bitterly disappointing for a bloke being paid upwards $2 million dollars over four years.

The former Test and Origin front-rower has averaged just 107.7 running metres this season, including just 50 against Parramatta in round 8.

These stats are a far cry from his form at North Queensland in 2016 when he averaged 131.4 running metres.

STATS DON’T LIE

Trent Merrin.

Penrith are also battling statistically as a team.

Heading into Thursday’s match against Brisbane, the Panthers had scored just 22 tries (more than only Knights and Tigers) and had the worst completions of any team.

Penrith have also missed more tackles than any other team with 32.1 per game, although this isn’t much better than their record in 2016 when they finished 15th in the missed tackle department.