BATHURST Panthers are within reach of a Group 10 premier league minor premiership and they will need to utilise their depth to a great extent in order to reach that goal.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
An emerging cog in the machine in Panthers' star junior Noah Griffiths.
Griffiths lined up for just his second premier league appearance in Sunday's win away over the Mudgee Dragons but the under 18s talent already looks comfortable among more experienced opposition.
There's no doubt about the NSW under 18s State of Origin representative's ability to be crafty and creative but Panthers Group 10 premier league manager Danny Dwyer said he's already matching up well in the physicality stakes.
"Willie Wright got hurt [against Mudgee] early in the game and we put him on in the second half but he only lasted five minutes before he had to come off again. Luckily we had Noah on the bench," he said.
Keep up to date with the latest sports news by clicking here.
"He punched out some really good minutes, scored a try, and had a really good game."
It was a great showing for Griffiths in his follow up appearance from the Panthers win over the Oberon Tigers earlier in the season.
His match time at the high levels of junior league have paved the way for a mentally tough brand of football.
He punched out some really good minutes, scored a try, and had a really good game.
- Danny Dwyer on Noah Griffiths
"He's just one of those guys who are never fazed by anything," Dwyer said of the young halfback.
"He's very measured, cool, calm and collected and his defence was also really good. His contact was great from early on and it all just flowed from there."
Panthers' premier league men are gearing up for a mammoth clash against the Orange Hawks this weekend at Carrington Park, which could decide who finishes on top of the table this season.