Penrith’s title defence got off to a perfect start in round one – with their rampant performance prompting praise from rugby league great Billy Slater.
There’s always a question of motivation after winning a title – particularly when the considerable emotional capital invested by the Panthers stretched over two pressure-filled seasons.
It’s one thing to keep pushing after a premiership slips from your grasp – it’s entirely another to maintain the rage for a third season, having righted the wrongs of 2020 with grand final success in 2021.
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And yet, Penrith not only won handsomely over Manly, but given what we saw from the rest of the NRL over the weekend, it’s arguable they were the most impressive performers of all.
“I was looking at their hunger levels, and that exceeded my expectations,” Billy Slater told Wide World of Sports’ Billy’s Breakdown.
“After winning the competition, to come out in round one and do all the effort areas really well – that shows me that they’re on target for another premiership defence.”
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The Roosters are the only team to go back-to-back in the NRL era, but the competition has never been as top heavy as it is right now.
If you look at last year’s rivals, Melbourne have already lost Christian Welch and George Jennings to season-ending injuries and Brandon Smith for a few weeks, while a Souths side without Dane Gagai and Adam Reynolds looked clunky and laborious in attack.
It’s only one round – Souths and the Roosters could and should figure it out, and Melbourne could pick a couple of blokes on crutches and likely still be among the last few teams standing – but it’s already breaking well for Penrith.
The next assignment for Ivan Cleary’s men is a meeting with the Dragons on Friday night.
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