‘A lot of good players’: Penrith Panthers won’t take Gold Coast Titans lightly

The Penrith Panthers are undefeated after seven rounds but they won’t take a complacent attitude up to the Gold Coast on Friday.

Ivan Cleary is wary of the Titans. Picture: Mark Evans/Getty Images

Penrith Panthers coach Ivan Cleary is warning his high-flying side not to take the Gold Coast Titans lightly, especially not now they’ve revamped their spine in preparation for Friday night’s clash.

In response to his side’s fifth loss from seven games, Titans coach Justin Holbrook has shifted AJ Brimson to fullback from five-eighth, where he has started every game of his 2022 campaign.

The move brings former Panther Will Smith into the halves and forces mid-season recruit Jamayne Isaako out of the 17.

Highly-rated young fullback Jayden Campbell is still yet to make his return from a rib injury.

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Cleary expected the new-look spine would throw plenty at the Panthers, who are the only side still undefeated in 2022.

“They’ve got a lot of good players, the Titans, threats all over the field,” Cleary said.

“Will Smith is coming in. I coached Will here before. He’s a real competitor, a really good player. He’ll be keen to take his opportunity.”

Will Smith started at five-eighth in round 1 when the Titans came close to upsetting premiership heavyweights Parramatta. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Cleary said he was especially wary of Brimson’s experience at fullback.

“He’s an Origin fullback,” Cleary said.

“He played particularly well there a couple of years ago and has always played well there at the Titans.

“(Playing fullback) gives him a bit more freedom to roam across the field, whereas he’s probably been a bit more plugged into one side of the field (at five-eighth).”

The Titans have lost their mojo in attack, scoring a combined total of just 10 points in their last four first halves.

Holbrook said he had no option but to shuffle players around in response.

“We’re just not offering a lot with the ball. We’re focusing so hard on our defence but we’re not being great with the footy in hand,” Holbrook admitted.

Holbrook said Isaako had not been dropped due to form concerns.

“It’s been really hard for Jamayne to come in (from the Broncos mid-season) and jump straight into the side,” Holbrook said.

“I’m not unhappy with him but clearly we’ve got to go with a bit more creativity. AJ is equally as good in both positions.”

The Titans played finals last season but sit 12th on the ladder after seven rounds. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

Campbell is available for selection but may require “a couple of games” in the Queensland Cup before he can play NRL again.

“Fullbacks have got to run everywhere all day and he wasn’t quite there yet. Hopefully in a week or two he can get back in,” Holbrook said.

Campbell looks likely to push Brimson back to the halves when he returns to the first grade side.

“For us moving forward, if we can get Toby (halfback Toby Sexton), AJ and JC firing,” Holbrook said.

“But I’m really happy with how Will Smith’s going.

“I think the best for now is to get Will Smith in there who’s got that experience.”

Originally published as ‘A lot of good players’: Penrith Panthers won’t take Gold Coast Titans lightly