the Panthers, much like the Eels, should be a consistent powerhouse in the league considering their junior base, the passion for the game in Western Sydney, and the lower cost of living in the west... and yet, in over 50 seasons competing, they have a grand total of 2 premierships
they had a mess of a salary cap and a dire financial state when they brought Gould in who then focused on dispensing with the most toxic assets on their salary cap (Moylan, Lewis, Jennings), bringing in new sponsors and partners, and focusing on local junior development
and now that they begin to reap the benefits of their position (ie. first pick of the best up and coming players from one of the biggest junior RL nurseries), they cry foul that they cannot keep every player
it would be a more believable whinge if they lost their captain or their star player and not a 20 year old bench player that has only played 6 FG games and has 2 Origin players ahead of him in the pecking order... in fact, that was the very excuse the Roosters used when they pinched Nate Myles from us (ie. they could provide him greater FG opportunity)