The mind games have begun in the lead up to the Panthers finals clash against South Sydney, with Penrith convinced the Rabbitohs decision to name rookie Blake Taaffe in the No. 1 jersey is a case of “smoke and mirrors”.
Taaffe has been named at fullback for Souths for this weekend’s clash despite some members of the Panthers squad saying the rookie won’t line up there.
Speaking to The Sydney Morning Herald, Souths coach Wayne Bennett said if others want to think that Taaffe won’t play – that’s fine.
“”We’ll wait and see if he plays or not. I don’t want to rain on their parade. You’ll have to wait until Saturday,” Bennett said. “It’s what makes the game interesting. I’m not going to put any player on that field on Saturday night that I don’t have trust in.”
Taaffe started against Dragons on the weekend for the suspended Latrell Mitchell, but dropped a bomb and missed a tackle in a otherwise solid performance.
Panthers co-captain Isaah Yeo told the publication that he doesn’t believe Souths will play Taaffe at fullback in Saturday night’s qualifying final at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
“I’m not quite sure what they’re doing and if there are smoke and mirrors there,” Yeo said. “Obviously you have to do your video on him and nullify him as much as possible, and he’s there for a reason.
“They’re fortunate enough to have a lot of different options there [at fullback]. They’ve come out and said Taaffe is playing. We’ll do our due diligence on him, for sure, but I don’t think we’ll be surprised if there’s a change there late.”
Alex Johnston can play fullback but has been devastating on the left wing, while Cody Walker is the other option, but shifting him would weaken his lethal halves combination with Adam Reynolds.
NSW coach Brad Fittler has watched Cleary leave some of his Blues teammates feeling ill at training while trying to diffuse some of the halfback’s bombs, and like Penrith was sceptical about who would actually start at fullback for Souths.
“Wayne knows his players better than anyone,” Fittler said. “Blake is a good little player, but he also showed that he’s still a rookie and makes errors, like any kid. But he’s about to go into a final against Penrith. Without a doubt he’ll be targeted. They’ll test out his positioning. Jarome Luai has a left boot, Matt Burton has a left boot … he’ll learn quickly.
“He also knows the 12 blokes in front of him are pretty good players, and if they do a great job, then Penrith don’t get down the field that far and he’s not catching balls on his tryline.”
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