Tonight we had our first look in a while at a full-strength Panthers without Isaah Yeo in the side.
It wasn’t convincing at all.
And Andrew Johns had a big call in the aftermath.
“I can’t see them winning it, it’s just too hard, unless Isaah Yeo comes back 100 per cent (fit),” he said on Nine.
“They have to go to Melbourne next week … that’s going to be a bash up and then they have to come back and play the Bulldogs which will be physical. They finish with the Wests Tigers, and all due respect they should win that one. But if they come third and Warriors come second, they have to go to Auckland for a big bash up.
“It’s just too hard … they’ve played in this system with Yeo for years, to change your habits, it is so hard. They have to pretty much change the way they attack without that Isaah Yeo link man in the middle. Late in the match Lindsay Smith started to get in there and look dangerous but Lindsay isn’t Isaah Yeo, he’s not quick across the ground and with his hands. If they get to the grand final it’ll be their greatest achievement but I just can’t see it happening unless Isaah Yeo comes back fully fit.”