Last year my Top 8 pick was Souths and at times it looked dodgy but we got there in the end,this season I will have two long term bets on the NRL both a bit outsiderish,but both with their chances,we'll start with this one for the Top 8.

Last year mid season we backed this side to pick up the Wooden Spoon and we got the money but Penrith finished last year as one of the form sides and if they would of been put into the Finals on viewers choice I bet they would of had a big impact on that Finals series,this season they are without Gower which I see as a positive for the club,heres their ful Top grade Squad for 2008.

Aiton,Civoniceva,Jennings,O'Halloran,Puleatua,Puleatua,Tighe,Woolnough,Bateman,Daniella,Lewis,Peters,Rodney,Waterhouse,Worth,Bell,Georgiou,McCrone,Priddis,Rooney,Wesser,Blair,Gordon,Moke,Pritchard,Sammut,Williams,Caldwell,Grant,Moors,Smith,Williams.



The Panthers have a very good squad and alot of depth in certain positions that are crucial in the game of Rugby League,they have a very strong and deep forward pack but for their starters I would imagine barring injury that it would consist of Civoneceva,Priddis,Puleatua,Puleatua,Pritchard and Waterhouse which on paper is a very strong unit,they also have good forward reserves who will make an impact and also have some very promising yougsters waiting in the wings for a chance at first grade,their backline wil barring injury most likely be Peters,Lewis,Gordon,Sammut,Rooney,Tighe and Weeser and they also have alot of very exciting young talent who finished the Panthers season off for them last year,they have speed and are tough with the likes of Jennings,Daniella,Aiton and Bell to name but a few.

Matthew Elliot remains Head Coach and although he does'nt have a great record I doubt he will need to have one,he has a good squad who are all very dissappointed at how they went last season and he still has the main group of players in this side from last year.

I like the look of this Panthers side and they look very well balanced especialy with a forward leader the calibe of Petro,the Panthers have really missed that one forward to lead the others and if anyone can lead a pack forward it is him,their second row is second to anybodys in this competition and will make an impact,the loss of Gower while sad for Panther stalwart fans is a good one as Gower has not been at his best for a while now and a change has been needed for a while at the foot of the blue Mountains,thier backline is also very well balanced and has a very good mixture of youth with some experience,that after the end to last year should have some excitement and competition for places.

The Panthers draw and byes also favour them,they play 6 of their opening 13 round matches at CUA or their home Ground including 2 byes in that period,if they can win 4 of their opening 5 home matches and thats not out of the question,they play Canberra at CUA to open their home season in round 2 after they play at Brisbane in Rd 1,where they actually have a good record and their next 5 home matches are against Souths,Sydney,Parra,Warriors and the Sharks,they also get 4 points from their two byes in that opening first 13 weeks and have a couple of good away matches in that stretch of games in the Tigers in Rd 4 which is winnable for them and the Cowboys in Rd 12 at Diary Farmers which is also winnable for them,they could sit as high as 16 points which is huge after the opening 13 rounds and could really roll on from there.

I think the Panthers have a good squad and good depth and i'll back them in as Top 8 Contenders in Season 2008....Good Luck.





Pick : Penrith to make the Top 8
Odds : 2.50
Stake : 10 / 10
Bookmaker : Centrebet
Date : 2008-09-01
Match Result :
Tipster Personal Link/Sponsor:

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