Luke O’Donnell says Penrith’s dismantling of Parramatta last Monday makes them a dangerous proposition for the Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium on Sunday.
The Panthers have struggled for form this NRL season and went into the game against the Eels with an inexperienced side and on the back of five successive losses but still managed to chalk up a 44-12 win.
Fullback Matthew Moylan was man of the match on his NRL debut, rookie winger Travis Robinson bagged a pair of tries with young back-rower Matt Robinson also standing out.
The Roosters are red-hot favourites to continue their fine start to the season, but O’Donnell said he was impressed by what he saw from Ivan Cleary’s side.
“They are a very young squad who will come here full of confidence after such a big win,” O’Donnell told AAP.
“They showed that there is a lot of ability there and they will be up for this game.
“They will view it as a big game and that makes them very dangerous, especially if we don’t turn up and rock and roll.”
O’Donnell was the last player signed by the Roosters in a busy off-season recruitment drive that brought Michael Jennings, Sonny Bill Williams and Sam Moa to the club.
After spending two years in the English Super League, he was ready to come home but admitted it’s taken time to readjust to the pace and rigours of the NRL.
“I am slowly building. I didn’t have a big off-season so it’s a steep learning curve coming to a new club,” he said.
“It was a baptism of fire, and it always helps getting more minutes on the field and I am getting better with each game.”
The former NSW and Kangaroos enforcer has had to settle for a spot on the bench and admits it’s something he’s had to get used to.
“It’s something new – it’s a bit of a different style coming off the bench,” he said.
“But I am playing in a very good young side so that helps, but I am getting more minutes and that is helping me improve.”
AAP imc