Let’s put ourselves in Penrith’s shoes for a moment, shall we?
You are three-times defending Premiers, which must be pretty nice.
But all that success has ensured that representative call ups are a certainty.
Add to that a devastating injury list and the Panthers can rightly feel like they’ve been pillaged ahead of this clash against the Dragons.
Five Penrith stars are with the Blues in the Blue Mountains this week which, coupled with Nathan Cleary‘s injury absence, means the Premiers are woefully undermanned.
Fortunately halves Brad Schneider and Jake Cole have shaken off injury concerns to take their place at 6 and 7.
Trent Toelau and Preston Riki are set to make their NRL debuts off the bench.
Tyrone Peachey is also set to play just his second game of the season off the bench, with Daine Laurie starting at fullback for the first time since returning to the club from Wests Tigers.
Is it just me, or does this look like a lion?
Anyway, Vamos.