Every game i watch, the more convinced i am the Panthers are going back to back.
Unless they get injuries, its all over.
They are even better than last season yet the big guns from last season - Storm, Souths, Eels have all dropped off big time.
Its really interesting watching the league with different styles.
The Panthers play a more traditional style of game.
They play for field position, play the long game, kick for field position, take minimal risk especially in there own half, prioritise defense over attack and just strangle everyone.
Everyone else has fallen prey to the new rules. Teams have been fooled into thinking under the new rules you need to score off every set. They take so many risks and what is worse is cannot defend there mistakes.
The Storm are interesting. They were a grinding, wrestling low scoring team under the old rules. Now with the 6 again, they are the complete opposite and it worked because they had the right players the last 2 seasons.
They were so dominant in attack which meant they had more time in possession which put less stress on there D.
They are not as deep this season and the attack is not clicking, it has really exposed there D. They have fallen back to the pack IMO.
If they are not pouring it on in attack, they cannot grind teams to the ground.
IMO many teams have tried to copy the Storm but they do not have the players to execute it.
Its amazing, only the Panthers have maintained a traditional style and they are by far and away the best team.
A lot of other teams can learn from them.