Peter Wallace says Penrith’s attack has only grown stronger since surprising allcomers to get to within one game of the NRL grand final last year.
The Panthers kick off their campaign with a grudge match against Canterbury at Pepper Stadium on Sunday in a game that will answer a lot of questions about the mountain men.
Critics of Penrith will point out that due to a quirk in the draw, they played sides who would go on to make the top eight on just 13 occasions during last year’s regular season.
But the Panthers had to shake off a horror injury toll, including season-ending injuries to Wallace, Bryce Cartwright, Tyrone Peachey and Elijah Taylor.
The Panthers will receive a litmus test against Des Hasler’s highly fancied Bulldogs and will give the Penrith spine their ultimate workout.
Much of the Panthers’ success this year will live and die with Wallace, Jamie Soward, Matt Moylan and James Segeyaro.
Panthers captain and halfback Wallace said their combination was still getting better.
“Our attack is well ahead of where it was last year which is a good thing and we’ll continue to improve week to week,” Wallace said.
Penrith’s NRL season opener isn’t just a chance to get their 2015 campaign off on the right foot, it’s a chance to gain a measure of revenge against Canterbury.
Since being knocked out of the preliminary finals by the Bulldogs, the Panthers have been walking around for five months with a chip on their shoulders.
Hooker Segeyaro this week said the Panthers would have a point to prove in their opening game, while Wallace said he couldn’t bring himself to watch a tape of the game.
“They’ve got a massive pack and it’s going to be very physical,” Segeyaro said.
“I’m pretty happy with the fixture we got first up.”
KEY STATS
* The Panthers won nine of their 11 matches at Penrith last season
* The Panthers won the two sides’ regular-season match-ups last season before the Bulldogs triumphed in the preliminary final
* Penrith have had the edge over the Bulldogs in recent seasons, winning nine of 14 matches between the two sides since the beginning of 2007
* The Bulldogs had a good record away from ANZ Stadium in 2014, winning eight of 12 matches
Source: Fox Sports Stats
