When the game was in rationalisation mode, and clubs were rushing into marriages of inconvenience to ensure their survival, a plan to merge Penrith and Parramatta was hatched.
The monster that would have been created, under the proposed “Parramatta Panthers” banner, had the potential to rule the league world like never before.
Ultimately, they opted to do it on their own. It has proven a prudent decision, one that has them scheduled to meet in a grand final for the first time.
It will be the clash of two powerhouses boasting massive junior nurseries and supporter bases. Western Sydney has proven big enough for the both of them, but it won’t feel that way over the next week.
If the Panthers go back to back, then they will look back fondly on their efforts during the opening half against South Sydney. They dished out punishment in the second stanza, but it was their ability to absorb it early that proved the difference.
The week off, as the Cowboys will attest, isn’t always what it’s cracked up to be. There was a distinct lack of cohesion in the Penrith attack early, perhaps a result of minimal match play from key personnel. Starved of possession, they instead attempted to attack with their defence. Souths were more than up to the challenge.
Spencer Leniu celebrates a try.Credit:Getty
The Rabbitohs had two opportunities and took both. On three occasions, the Panthers crossed for tries, only for the bunker to intervene. They may have felt stiff on at least one of them.
Down 12-0 with just three minutes until the break, Ivan Cleary’s men scored twice. The final blow, five seconds before the buzzer, proved deflating for their opponents.
Nathan Cleary is tackled by Damien Cook.Credit:Panthers
When Brian To’o ran into space, the defence came in cover, Cody Walker checked teammate Damien Cook, who inadvertently took out Lachlan Ilias. It was like a game of billiards, which ended with the Panthers sinking the black.
Ultimately, the result was another grand final appearance for the mountain men. There is every chance they will be there or thereabouts for years to come. The club is attempting to become the first in 40 years to take out the three NSWRL competitions – NSW Cup, Jersey Flegg and SG Ball Cup – in the same season. If the feat is achieved, for the first time since Balmain in 1982, it is yet another pointer to the production line that is Penrith’s junior nursery.
It was a win for Penrith but also, seemingly, for Parramatta. The chances of the Eels finally saluting, in their 75th year in the competition, appear to be stronger facing their western Sydney rivals than the Pride of the League. Souths have won their last six meetings, all via large margins. The Eels’ recent record against the Panthers stacks up significantly better.
Still, it will take a monumental effort to stop the Panthers. Waqa Blake, already terrorised by Nathan Cleary during this finals series, will have further sleepless nights. Taane Milne will know exactly how he feels. This time it was the Souths three-quarter’s turn to negotiate Cleary’s towering floating kicks. The way his night finished – sent off for one of the worst coathangers in recent finals history – spoke to his state of mind after being forced to constantly stare into the night sky with a Steeden and Viliame Kikau bearing down on him.
Whether Kikau participates in the final game of the season will be determined by the match review committee, which is unlikely to have the fans in mind in the same way head office favoured Taylan May.
Regardless, the NRL will have its dream clash. A year after being forced to shift the grand final to Queensland, football returns to its western Sydney heartland. Two teams allowed to stand alone, one will stand tallest.
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