Penrith Panthers’ Suncorp Stadium Shadow: A Quest for Redemption
The NRL’s opening round fixture has thrown the Penrith Panthers a rather “romantic” curveball, sending them back to Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane – the very ground where their quest for a historic premiership three-peat met its end in 2023. While coach Ivan Cleary might have offered a wry smile at the scheduling, the sting of that preliminary final loss, where a commanding lead evaporated, has undoubtedly lingered throughout the Panthers’ pre-season.
The Panthers arrived at Suncorp last September with a near-perfect first half under their belts. A dominant 14-0 lead at the break, coupled with 57 per cent of possession, suggested another clinical performance was on the cards. However, the Brisbane Broncos, fuelled by an exceptional defensive effort, staged a remarkable comeback, ultimately winning a classic encounter 16-14. This wasn’t a case of Penrith beating themselves; rather, it was a testament to the Broncos’ grit and determination.
Still, for the first time since the inception of their current dynasty, Penrith had surrendered a significant 12-point advantage and couldn’t recover. While there haven’t been any “popcorn and group therapy” rewatches of that heartbreaking loss, the crucial moments where the Panthers failed to seal the deal have been a constant undercurrent during their summer preparations.
Fullback Dylan Edwards acknowledged the team’s introspection. “We’ve had enough time to digest where we went wrong and where we missed the mark,” he stated. “We’ve taken snippets from that prelim throughout our pre-season, but no specific focus on watching that game and trying to fuel that fire going into that game [round one]. Just little focus areas. We didn’t finish the game well enough, and we were probably guilty of that a lot of the time throughout the season – just staying in that game for the full 80 [minutes]. The Broncos, they were the best at it, finishing games and being able to come over the top of teams… we’ve addressed that.”
So, what were those pivotal moments that, in retrospect, could have swung the game Penrith’s way?
The Sledgehammer Set that Fizzled: With 16 minutes remaining and holding an eight-point lead, Penrith unleashed a relentless barrage on Brisbane’s try line. They enjoyed three consecutive sets, forcing Brisbane to make 15 tackles in defence. This sustained pressure, a hallmark of Penrith’s championship-winning formula, failed to yield the decisive blow.
The Panthers’ attack, which had been so potent throughout the season, found itself unable to break through the Broncos’ resolute defence during this critical period.
A Shift in Attack that Lacked Punch: Both teams had heavily favoured their left edges in the previous season, with the Broncos leading the league in tries down that channel and Penrith ranking third. However, in that crucial preliminary final, the Panthers’ attempts to attack Brisbane’s right side, featuring Casey McLean and Blaize Talagi, proved fruitless. Despite this, they persisted with that approach, potentially missing opportunities to exploit other areas of the field.
The ‘What If’ Penalty: In the 61st minute, Ezra Mam conceded a blatant escort penalty. Hindsight, as always, is a potent tool for commentators and journalists. If Penrith had opted for the two-point penalty goal, they would have extended their lead to a more comfortable 16-6. Instead, they chose to play on, a decision that, in retrospect, seems like a missed opportunity to put more daylight between themselves and the charging Broncos.
The Breakdown on the Left: Cooper Cronk, in commentary, questioned the decision-making when a left-side shift broke down. Luke Garner was unable to secure a short ball from Nathan Cleary, an uncharacteristic error that, at that moment, allowed Brisbane to maintain their momentum.
A Scramble for Golden Point: With Brisbane riding a wave of momentum, Penrith found themselves unable to pull the game back from the brink. Needing a field goal to force golden point, their final set unravelled. Nathan Cleary, under immense pressure, was forced to pass to Dylan Edwards for a desperate, last-ditch attempt that ultimately fell short, signalling the end of their season.
The echoes of that Suncorp Stadium encounter clearly resonate with the Panthers. While the intensity of Cleary’s past “nigh-obsessive” training routines might have been dialled back, particularly with hamstring concerns, the experience of not winning a premiership has undoubtedly left its mark.
Ivan Cleary observed the shift in his team’s mindset. “It was a different feeling last year, for sure,” he admitted. “I feel like there was definitely some fire in that. It certainly looks that way.” This underlying “fire” suggests that the memory of that Suncorp Stadium loss is serving as a potent motivator as the Panthers embark on their 2024 campaign, determined to exorcise the ghosts of seasons past and reclaim their place at the pinnacle of the NRL. The return to Brisbane is more than just a fixture; it’s a chance for redemption.
