Parramatta players haven’t taken offence to Penrith’s post-grand final behaviour, but say they wouldn’t conduct themselves in the same way if they were crowned premiers.
The Panthers have been criticised for showing a lack of humility after winning back-to-back titles. Some of the incidents include a distasteful social media post from Jarome Luai, Apisai Koroisau dismissing the premiership chances of Wests Tigers — the club he is about to join — and James Fisher-Harris declaring the current Penrith side the best in the club’s history, which sparked a “We hate Parra” chant among the side’s supporters.
Luai further agitated the Eels when he posted an inflammatory response to Ryan Matterson’s suggestion that the Panthers playmaker was lucky to escape sanction for appearing to kick out at Isaiah Papali’i in the decider.
Speaking after being crowned as the Ken Thornett medallist as Parramatta’s player of the year, back-rower Shaun Lane said: “I don’t think you’d see that at Parramatta.”
“However someone else conducts themselves doesn’t affect me,” Lane said.
“I don’t really care what they say about me or my team. We know how we value ourselves and our own teammates. We know what is important to us and it’s not other people’s opinions.
James Fisher-Harris started the ‘We hate Parra’ chant.Credit:Steven Siewert/SMH
“If that’s important to them, so be it. We’re not going to be bitter about other people’s comments. They can say whatever they want. If it works for them, it works for them. They have a bit of confident arrogance about themselves and that seems to work for them. It gives them confidence on the field also.
“And they’ve developed a great performance around that kind of culture. It really works for Penrith. They’ve had an outstanding team for the past three years, but I don’t think you’d see that at Parramatta.”
Ryan Matterson, who opted to accept a three-match ban rather than a $4000 fine for a crusher tackle, also addressed the issue on Tuesday night.
“At the end of the day, winners can do whatever they want,” Matterson said.
Shaun Lane is adamant Parramatta haven’t missed their premiership window.Credit:Getty
“They have been the best side over the last couple of years and if they want to celebrate like that, they can.
“I saw it this morning. We haven’t spoken about it. It was pretty humorous looking at it. It did make me laugh.
“If you take ourselves out of the situation and watch it as a whole, it was funny.”
Parramatta’s critics have suggested the club’s premiership window had closed, pointing to the departures of Reed Mahoney, Papali’i, Marata Niukore, Oregon Kaufusi, Tom Opacic and Ray Stone. The future of star halves Mitchell Moses and Dylan Brown are also clouded beyond next season.
When on stage to accept the Ken Thornett medal, Lane rubbished suggestions the Eels had missed their window and reiterated those sentiments when speaking to reporters shortly afterwards.
“Yeah. I hear media always talk about this same point, so I just had to address it in front of all of Parra stakeholders tonight,” Lane said.
“Because I know they’re thinking the same thing and everyone internally is thinking the same thing. We have a great culture and it’s not about losing a few players here or there. That’s what dynasties are built on, the culture within the club. We have some great systems and development of players coming through. I am very confident we will still be a powerhouse going forward.”
Matterson added: “No way. We have got a good young crop coming through.
“They train the house down and you can see in NSW Cup they played outstanding. We don’t have many old boys there, it’s mainly young boys.
“We’ve got some great talent coming through and we look forward to the preseason ahead.”
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