THE Penrith Panthers could be boosted by the inclusion of injured skipper Peter Wallace for this Saturday’s game against Cronulla at Carrington Park, the talented playmaker recovering well from a knee problem.
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It was in the Panthers’ first outing this month – a win against Wests Tigers – that Wallace was forced to leave the field and since then his coach Ivan Cleary has struggled to find a halves combination.
Regular number six Jamie Soward has switched to halfback, but the five-eighth spot has been harder to fill. Back rower Tyrone Peachey was tried but suffered a torn pectoral muscle.
Another option in Isaac John is recovering from knee surgery, while it was Bryce Cartwright who was given the nod in Saturday’s 32-12 loss to the Roosters.
While the young Panther did well, it was clear the men in black struggled with their kicking game. Prop Brent Kite and winger Kevin Naiqama even tried their hand at putting boot to ball.
“I thought Bryce was one of the best players today. I thought he showed a lot and it was his first 80 minutes of first grade too,” Cleary said.
“[But] we definitely didn’t build any sort of pressure.
“I thought there were periods of the game where we were actually winning the battle for field position and starting to look likely, but if you let the air out of the tyres at the end of the set it encourages them.
“It’s [kicking] been a big and really strong part of our game all year. Obviously without Pete there that balance isn’t quite the same and the Roosters did a good job pressuring Soward.”
When Wallace was diagnosed with a medial ligament tear in his knee, it was expected he could miss up to six weeks, but Cleary revealed it was possible he could return for the match in Bathurst.
His presence would give the Panthers added depth in the kicking department against a Cronulla outfit desperate to avoid the wooden spoon.
“He’s pretty close, actually. We are very encouraged with how he is going,” Cleary said of the number seven.
Wallace is one of the more experienced members of the Panthers line-up, having played four State of Origin games for NSW, represented Scotland at the World Cup and acted not only as skipper for Penrith, but the Broncos as well.
But even if he does not make an early return this Saturday, fill-in captain Kite is hopeful his men can improve their kicking game.
“We’ve definitely had a two-pronged kicking attack and it’s been strong all year. We’ve had three different combos in three weeks, which makes it a little bit tough, so hopefully we can sort it out the next couple of weeks,” he said.
The Panthers slipped to third on the ladder after the loss against the Roosters, but the Sharks have certainly struggled more.
They suffered a 36-18 loss to the Cowboys on Friday night to remain in last place, Cronulla having won just four of their 17 games so far this season.
Both will have the chance to improve their position once Saturday’s match kicks off at 3pm at Carrington Park.