BY STAFF WRITERS
Former Penrith Panthers premiership-winning coach and Bulldogs GM Phil Gould has backed comments made by Brisbane star Kotoni Staggs that the mighty Panthers can be broken on their left-edge defensively.
Speaking on his own podcast on the Wide World of Sports, Gould added that the returning Adam Reynolds could add another dimension of danger to the Broncos attacking arsenal if the Panthers over-commit with fullback Dylan Edwards which could create kicking space behind the play.
“The system that the Panthers have, their principles that they play under, and the tiring nature of their football,” Gould began.
“I think their attack is very underrated at times.
“They are more than just a kick-and-chase team.
“When the Bulldogs did get a bit of position [last Sunday], they did find some weaknesses in the Panthers’ defence, particularly in Penrith’s left-side defence.
“They seemed to be vulnerable on that left side.
“That’s where Kotoni Staggs will be and Reece Walsh likes to hover around that area as well.
32-1: Every Panthers player ranked from their historic Penrith four-year grand final dynasty
“That’s where Adam Reynolds is, too.”
The Panthers will start $1.65 favourites to make their sixth-straight grand final.
Meanwhile the81stminute.com can confirm that 100-41 in the 2025 Rugby League Hottest 100 will be revealed tonight.
40-1, song-for-song, will be revealed on our YouTube channel during grand final week.
