With the ‘hit and giggle' trail matches and the arduous pre-season training regimes now behind each team, fans, coaches, and players alike have set their sights on the real deal – Round 1.

For some clubs, the pre-season period could not have panned out better, whilst the unlucky remainder will be counting the cost of their campaigns.

Although there were a myriad of positives to be taken from the summer months, all teams will be striving to improve on their trail match form and learn from the lessons dealt out across them.

With the first spin of the Steeden within touching distance, we raise the big question that face each of the NRL's 16 clubs.

Back
Next

Penrith Panthers

Will Cleary's clan simply pick up where they left off?

With a large chunk of their depth gone, as well as numerous senior players, the pressure will be on both Ivan and Nathan Cleary to repeat their 2020 output.

History would suggest that the boys from the feet of the Blue Mountains will have a tough time reproducing the form that saw them win 17-straight last year. However, it isn't beyond them entirely.

Despite all of their key players enjoying career years within the last 12 months, it will be on names like Cleary, Jarome Luai, Apisai Koroisau, James Fisher-Harris and Isaah Yeo to duplicate their previous form consistently.

Although the Panthers failed to claim the ultimate prize, they will still be the hunted in the eyes of many. Their class across the paddock is unlikely to see them slip out of the top four, but youth and complacency have historically proven a dangerous mix.

The club will be hoping that there is a morsel of truth to the ‘ you have to lose one to win one' theory, as they look to repeat the success of the 1991 Panthers that were also bested 12 months earlier.

Back
Next