This, Parramatta fans, may just be a glimpse of what life could look like without Mitchell Moses.
Up against a slew of unrecognisable Panthers faces, the Eels had most of the ball but had little idea what to do with. As they bumbled their way across Bluebet Stadium, their star halfback watched on, still deciding whether the grass is greener at Concord.
It is unfair to compare Jake Arthur, a youngster on the start of his journey, to a playmaker in his pomp. However, Arthur and halves partner Jordan Rankin often took the wrong options.
The visitors had 35 play-the-balls in the Penrith red zone – Penrith had just 22 – but Kurt Falls and Jack Cogger squandered less opportunities.
The latter, back after a stint in Huddersfield, showed he can capably fill in for Nathan Cleary when the superstar is absent on representative duty.
All eyes were on new recruit Josh Hodgson. The England hooker’s first game of 2022 was also his last, struck down by yet another ACL injury. Thankfully, he got through this hit-out unscathed.
The blue and golds have been raving about Hodgson’s influence during the pre-season, but it may take a while to get back into the swing. His first try assist was an intercept thrown to Penrith three-quarter Thomas Jenkins, who raced the length of the field for a try against the run of play. This is what trials are for.
The Panthers celebrate a try by hooker Luke Sommerton (left).Credit:Getty
It didn’t get much better for Eels dummy halves when Hodgson was replaced by Mitch Rein, whose short stint ended due to a head knock.
The best player on the field was the opposition rake. Luke Sommerton scored the opening try, the marker defence no match for his speed. His passing and kicking game was also astute in a controlled performance. The St Marys junior will keep Mitch Kenny and Soni Luke honest in the battle for Api Koroisau’s No.9 jersey.
The players, still at war with head office, opted not to make good on their threat to delay the game. Given the temperature at kick-off was 36 degrees – whose idea was it to stage a trial in Penrith in February? – it would have been a prudent move.
Ryan Matterson, knowing it would be his last proper workout for a month, got plenty of minutes. Yet it was the unheralded Panthers forward pack that won the middle of the park. It is yet another example of why the Penrith junior league – Jaemon Salmon was the only member from the grand final-winning team – is the best in the world.
