NRL 2023, Panthers vs Roosters: Why Jack Cogger could be Penrith’s most important signing

He’s flown under the radar at Penrith this year, but on Saturday this playmaker gets his chance to prove he is the Panthers most important signing. See the full Panthers vs Roosters deep dive.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 06: Dylan Edwards of the Panthers runs with the ball during the round 10 NRL match between the New Zealand Warriors and Penrith Panthers at Suncorp Stadium on May 06, 2023 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

One team needs to win to get their season started, another needs to prove they can compete without their star playmaker - ahead of their Saturday showdown Fatima Kdouh does a deep dive into the Sydney Roosters and Penrith Panthers.

RECRUITMENT RATER

Panthers: Luke Garner (Wests Tigers), Tyrone Peachey (Wests Tigers), Zac Hosking (Broncos), Jack Cogger (Huddersfield).

Rating: A-

On paper, Penrith’s recruitment for 2023 hardly boasts star power but the signings of Zac Hosking, Tyrone Peachey and Jack Cogger have proven astute.

Hosking overtook Luke Garner in the race for Viliame Kikau’s backrow spot and is shaping as one of the buy’s of the season.

Peachey’s experience, and versatility, has been invaluable and the 31-year old did a commendable job in the centres as cover for Tago.

The most important signing might prove to be Jack Cogger, who has been charged with replacing Cleary at halfback for the next six weeks, and keeping Penrith’s title defence on track.

Jack Cogger has been handed the halfback role in Nathan Cleary’s absence. Picture: Getty Images.

Roosters: Brandon Smith (Storm), Jake Turpin (Broncos), Jaxson Paulo (Rabbitohs), Corey Allan (Bulldogs), Nathan Brown (Eels).

Rating: B-

Brandon Smith’s highly anticipated switch to Bondi is yet to reap results for the Roosters. Before his thumb injury, Smith, and admittedly, the entire spine has struggled to gel, minimising the hooker’s impact on the side. Jaxson Paulo showed promise but was axed two weeks ago. Corey Allan’s signing has given coach Trent Robinson depth in outside backs, where he has covered on the wing for Daniel Tupou and has been named at centre this weekend with Suaalii suspended.

TEDESCO V EDWARDS

Around $600,000 per season separates James Tedesco and Dylan Edwards but on the field the gap between the champion fullbacks is as small as it has ever been.

As the game’s benchmark No.1, Sydney Roosters skipper Tedesco has been, rightly, rewarded with a handsome salary of around $1.1 million per year.

On the other hand, Penrith’s Edwards, who has quietly risen to elite fullback status in recent seasons, is on a deal worth half of what Tedesco is taking home.

The 2022 Clive Churchill Medallist, who is off-contract on November 1 and in line for a monster payday, gets a shot to prove his $1 million credentials when the duo go head-to-head at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night.

Edwards has gone from the NRL’s most underrated player, to the game’s most undervalued and the numbers prove it.

Dylan Edwards has joined the elite fullback ranks in recent years, and is in line for a bumper payday. Picture: NRL Photos.

The Roosters’ indifferent start to 2023 has not only thrown Tedesco’s form under the spotlight but helped Edwards overtake the NSW Blues captain in a number of key attacking statistics this year.

According to Fox Sports Lab, Edwards now leads Tedesco in run metres per game, tries, tackle busts and linebreak assists.

Ironically, the study Edwards puts into Tedesco’s game has helped him rise through the fullback ranks.

“We both enjoy a bit of work around the ruck, and there is none better than Teddy. Teddy has been the top fullback for a while, it would be silly not to have a look at him to see what he does well,” Edwards said.

James Tedesco will be aiming to silence critics for good this weekend. NRL Imagery

For Tedesco, Saturday’s clash is a chance to silence his detractors, some who have suggested his opposite fullback Edwards should factor in selection for the Blues.

Tedesco rebounded from a below average performance in Origin one against Canterbury last week.

Teammate Nat Butcher said any questions about Tedesco’s title as the state’s best fullback were off the mark.

“Teddy is a high calibre player and has been one of the best for a number of years. He proved on the weekend what kind of player he is, on a four-day turnaround. There’s no question, he should be there for game two and should be captain,” Butcher said.

MARKET WATCH

Edwards isn’t the only player Penrith are trying to squeeze into their salary cap.

Five-eighth Jarome Luai is also off-contract in November and could be forced to look for a new club if Edwards does sign a rich new deal. While Blues backrower Liam Martin is locked in talks about a three-year extension worth around $1.7 million from 2025.

Unsigned for 2024, Scott Sorensen has emerged as a key player in Ivan Cleary’s side but is on a bargain deal and is also due for an upgrade.

At the Roosters, Joey Manu will hit the market in five months. Manu was one the competition’s best centres before being shifted to five-eighth to get him closer to the action.

The Kiwi international has not been shy about his ambition to play in the spine, including at fullback where he earned the Golden Boot as the World Cup’s best player.

Tedesco with teammate Joey Manu, who is off-contract in November.

TOP-30 ROSTERS AND THE SIGNING DEADLINE

Both clubs have two spots available in their top-30 rosters for this season, which must be finalised by the August 1 deadline.

The Panthers have depth across their roster and outside of injuries to Nathan Cleary (hamstring) and Taylan May (ACL) are healthy. The club has the option to bolster forward stocks by upgrading rising prop Liam Henry into the top-30 from a development deal.

Coach Ivan Cleary has been able to cover injuries to May and Izack Tago through Sunia Turuva and Tyrone Peachey. Other depth options are youngsters Tom Jenkins and Jesse McLean.

Roosters rookie and halfback Sandon Smith was blooded last weekend where he spent time at hooker but is still on a development deal, opening the door for a move into the top-30.

Like Penrith, the Roosters have depth across the backs and forwards but with the injured Sam Walker out of favour and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii banned, the lack of genuine goal kicking options have been exposed.

WATCHABILITY

Penrith

STAR POWER: 8/10

PLAYING STYLE: 9/10

BOX OFFICE APPEAL: 9/10

HEROES AND VILLAINS: 10/10

POTENTIAL FOR DRAMA: 8/10

JERSEYS: 8/10

TOTAL SCORE: 52/60

Losing the best player in the game, in Cleary, diminishes Penrith’s star power but is unlikely to inhibit the side’s playing style. When Cleary is in full control, Penrith produce some of the most clinical football in the NRL. Cogger’s injection won’t change the game plan but could impact execution. But Cogger held his own last week when Cleary went down with a hamstring injury against St George Illawarra.

“(Nathan) is already thinking about ways he can help Cogger out. Back in the schoolboy days he was better than Nathan, he was ahead of him,” Ivan Cleary said.

“I’ve been watching him for a long time because of that. He’s come here for that role and understood that.”

Nathan Cleary comes from the field after suffering a hamstring injury.

Roosters

STAR POWER: 8/10

PLAYING STYLE: 6/10

BOX OFFICE APPEAL: 9/10

HEROES AND VILLAINS: 9.5/10

POTENTIAL FOR DRAMA: 9/10

JERSEYS: 9/10

TOTAL SCORE: 50.5/60

The one-out football and the lack of cohesion that has plagued Trent Robinson’s side has been a far cry from the ‘Roosters way’. There were positive signs in the win against the Bulldogs, breaking a three-game losing streak. While the Roosters let in some soft tries, the attack was more fluid, led by Tedesco and halfback Luke Keary.

PREMIERSHIP CREDENTIALS

The Roosters started the season at $6.5 to win the premiership but their slow start has seen the Tricolours drift out to $15.

The TAB has Penrith as the favourite to win the title at $3.75, having tightened in from $4.50 at the start of the season.

The injury of halfback Nathan Cleary had little impact with punters still backing the title credentials of the reigning premiers.

Roosters coach Trent Robinson’s side has lost the last 7 games against Penrith. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

COACHING BATTLE

Saturday’s clash will be the 20th time Robinson and Cleary have faced off in the coach’s box.

According to Fox Sports Lab Cleary has a 10-9 win record against Robinson, with only Melbourne’s Craig Bellamy and master coach Wayne Bennett with more wins against the Roosters boss.

Penrith have also had the upper hand in recent times, winning the last seven encounters between the sides.

Roosters forward Matt Lodge said the task on Saturday does not get any easier even though Cleary will be missing.

“They are all in sync, the cohesion, they just know each other’s games. They stick it at and work hard,” Lodge said.

“They have been playing together for a long time, and their couple of premiership shows that.”

Spencer Leniu could be in line for an Origin call-up. Picture: Getty Images.

FORWARDS BATTLE

The round 11 match-up between the sides promised a ball tearing encounter between Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and the man poised to replace him long-term, Spencer Leniu.

Coincidentally, a ruptured testicle scuttled that battle.

But Leniu has since recovered from the eye-watering injury and will line-up this weekend.

Prop Waerea-Hargreaves, who has re-signed for a further season, has dialled up the intimidation factor in 2023 and teammate Nathan Brown is expecting the veteran to be fired up this weekend.

“He worked on that in the pre-season, controlled aggression and how to make the most of it. He’s shown that this year every time he has stepped out onto the field,” he said.

While Waerea-Hargreaves will be looking to stamp his authority over Leniu, the clash is also an Origin audition for the rising Panthers forward.

Getting the better of one of the competition’s hard-nosed enforcers will only further press Leniu’s claims for a Blues call-up.

Originally published as NRL 2023, Panthers vs Roosters: Why Jack Cogger could be Penrith’s most important signing