The Panthers have paid a hefty price for their premiership win, losing six quality players – and replacing them with very little.
They do have some good kids coming through, but most will take a year or two to develop into seasoned first graders.
Despite these problems, I still see the Panthers as the team to beat – Jarome Luai and Nathan Cleary form an electrifying halves combination, Brian To’o is the best ground-gaining winger in the game, Api Koroisau gets them going forward from dummy-half and James Fisher-Harris is arguably the premiership’s best all-round middle forward.
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2021 finishing position: Premiers
Gains: Sean O’Sullivan (Warriors), Chris Smith (Bulldogs), Christian Crichton (Bulldogs)
Losses: Matt Burton (Bulldogs), Brent Naden (Bulldogs), Kurt Capewell (Broncos), Tevita Pangai jnr (Bulldogs), Paul Momirovski (Roosters), Tyrone May (Catalans)
Best 17: 1. Dylan Edwards, 2. Brian To’o, 3. Stephen Crichton, 4. Izack Tago, 5. Charlie Staines, 6. Jarome Luai, 7. Nathan Cleary, 8. Moses Leota, 9. Api Koroisau, 10. James Fisher-Harris, 11. Viliame Kikau, 12. Liam Martin, 13. Isaah Yeo, 14. Mitch Kenny, 15. Matt Eisenhuth, 16. Scott Sorensen, 17. Spencer Leniu
Greatest strength: The generalship and kicking game of Nathan Cleary gives the Panthers an edge no club can match. And if defences concentrate on him, it allows Luai to cut loose.
Biggest question mark: Going back-to-back is never easy – precious few clubs have done it in the modern era. Once you have climbed the mountain, is the hunger still there to do it again?
Man under pressure: Viliame Kikau is off to the Bulldogs next year, lured by massive dollars. He looked sluggish in the trials and Panthers fans will want to see more effort from him come this weekend.
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