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Rivals are going to extreme lengths to emulate the Panthers.<\/p>\n
As intrigue surrounds whether Jarome Luai is fit enough to pull on the Penrith jersey for Friday\u2019s preliminary final, opponents Melbourne have done just that. Images have emerged on social media of Storm players wearing Panthers colours during opposed sessions.<\/p>\n
It is customary for players outside the top 17 to mimic the movements of the opposition during training drills. However, this could mark the first time enemy colours have been donned in a session during preparations for a finals fixture. Tepai Moeroa and George Jennings are among the Storm players pictured in opposition kit.<\/p>\n
The tactic lends further credence to the belief that Craig Bellamy\u2019s side is the most meticulously prepared in the competition.<\/p>\n
The jersey ploy was a talking point at the foot of the mountains on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, that was weird,\u201d Penrith prop Moses Leota said when asked if he had ever worn another team\u2019s jersey at training.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat was the first time I\u2019ve seen that. That\u2019s probably just how they were preparing, that\u2019s it. It is funny to see how other teams prepare differently to how we prepare.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fellow Penrith front-rower James Fisher-Harris felt the idea may have merit.<\/p>\n
\u201cI heard about it,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019d do that, it\u2019s pretty smart. Maybe it\u2019s just [about] the awareness. Whatever helps the team. That\u2019s why they are doing it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lindsay Smith, who has just recommitted to the club, added: \u201cWe\u2019ve never had to train in different jerseys.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve seen that today and had a little bit of a giggle, I\u2019m not going to lie. But at the same time, especially for the boys who aren\u2019t playing each week, they do their best to try and emulate the other team.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Some Storm players wore Panthers shirts during an opposed session.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cEvery team does that and the Storm have found a different way to do that this week.\u201d<\/p>\n Asked which opposition player he felt would do the best impression of his style of play, Smith joked: \u201cSomeone who is slow, that\u2019s for sure.\u201d<\/p>\n Storm skipper Christian Welch said his team studied the Panthers more than any other opponent.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re probably the most watched team,\u201d he said. \u201cThey\u2019re so impressive and so well coached. That\u2019s the modern-day NRL, setting up for a big structured play is good.<\/p>\n Some Storm players wore Panthers shirts during an opposed session.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cBut tries come off quick play-the-balls. Penrith know that.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen they\u2019re attacking, they try to find a quick play-the-ball, drop-offs, their back-rowers are running at three-ins and four-ins, and then they go. You can tell there\u2019s a massive focus when they\u2019re defending not to let a quick play-the-ball. They\u2019re really smart defensively. That\u2019s the trouble trying to score quick points against Penrith when they\u2019re so effective in contact.\u201d<\/p>\n Penrith and Melbourne officials were contacted for comment on the jersey ploy. The Storm said they had used the approach before.<\/p>\n Of more concern for the premiers is the fitness of Luai. The NSW and Samoan playmaker is scheduled to have his first major hit-out on Wednesday night since dislocating his left shoulder against the Eels less than a month ago.<\/p>\n \u201cHe would be a massive lift [if declared fit]; he\u2019s one of the best players in the game,\u201d Smith said of Luai.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not 100 per cent sure, but hopefully he\u2019s ready to go. If he is, I know he will be there 100 per cent.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d love nothing more than to play alongside him.\u201d<\/p>\n Fisher-Harris added: \u201cWhen he\u2019s on the field, that\u2019s our No.1 team.<\/p>\n \u201cHe has shown [that] on the biggest stages. Hopefully, he does play, but we\u2019ll see how we go. I can\u2019t remember when we had a full-strength team [available for selection]. It\u2019s just become normal for us, a next-man-up sort of thing.<\/p>\n \u201c[It\u2019s about] resilience; it doesn\u2019t matter who you are, you put the jersey on and you\u2019ve got a job to do.\u201d<\/p>\n Watch the NRL grand final exclusive, live and free on Channel 9 and <\/i><\/b>9Now<\/i><\/b>.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n Sports news, results and expert commentary. <\/i><\/b>Sign up for our Sport newsletter<\/i><\/b>.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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