Before the season started, few expected Penrith’s collision with the dolphins on Thursday.
But then even less would have expected that the Panthers would struggle for the first time in an era for a month -long streak as the biggest winning machine of modern times short circuits.
It has been a while since the Panthers had lost their way or had no confidence, let alone both. And recording a dolphin side that comes from their first victory of the season is now a more difficult prospect than anyone would have guessed.
There is no feeling of panic from Penrith, more one of frustration.
According to Liam Martin van de Panthers it is easy to run on Thursday evening’s game in Lang Park, even if it is far from easy.
“It is very frustrating. That has been just about in recent weeks. We are so close, but we don’t nail the big moments,” said Martin.
“We are all convinced that we have what is needed to go there again. We just have to do the work.
“It’s difficult. We know what works. We just don’t play our style of Footy.”
Since Martin is one of the few players in the club who have experienced this earlier in Penith colors, the Panthers will look at him for leadership to make their way out of the malaise.
He debuted in 2019, before the Panthers turned into a winning dynasty, and lost each of his first five games. All together played, he played in 10 defeats that year.
Compare that for someone like Izack Tago, who had won two prime ministers by the time he had lost as many matches as Martin alone in his first year.
Or think about the fact that among players with 50 or more matches in the first class, eight out of 10 players with the best winning percentage are affiliated with the Penrith Dynasty, and it shows how important the will of Martin, Nathan Cleary and Isaah are YEO.
It would have been many years ago, but they have been here before. And in a world where many Panthers have no idea what a form slump looks like, that is.
“Some of our older boys remember what it was like and we know these times will not take long. It will change, but we have to do the work to make it happen,” said Martin.
“We have to learn those young boys, it’s not the end. We have to lead the way.”
To this end, Martin and Company strive for a return to the classic Penrith style to concentrate on winning every fight, no matter how small, safe in the knowledge that every large triumph is made of a thousand smaller victories.
Winning every tackle, every run, every physical competition and every time is the foundation of Penrith’s consistency and it is an attitude they are desperate to rediscover.
“It is unknown territory. We built it in our identity and won those little fighting,” said Martin.
“We have to withdraw it to basics, focus on ourselves and get our own house in order and have a solid training week.”
Four straight losses are not fatal for a Premiership costs, especially with so many of the season to go.
There is still time for Penrith to conquer what shoots them and even excels again.
Four games in the NRL have lost four games and went on to Premiership Glory, of which the most recent Melbourne was in 2012.
It can be done. And if it can be done, Penrith can do it.
At the moment they know more about winning than just someone else. Above all, they know it is a habit.
But that could increase the urgency on Thursday. Returning to the dolphins is of vital importance because, as just about any other club in the competition you can tell, losing a habit can become just as fast.
#Panthers #put #losing #streak #converting #small #victories #big #wins
