Though itโs importance in the rugby league landscape has fluctuated throughout the years, the โWestern derbyโ between Penrith and Parramatta has rarely meant more than in recent years.
Three of the past four meetings between the two teams have been decided by two points or less, and recent games have produced the height of drama, from last yearโs controversial semi-final to this yearโs first encounter, where Parramatta beat the Panthers for what was (and continues to be) their only loss of the season.
The teamโs trajectories have been wildly different since. Penrith bounced back immediately and havenโt been beaten again, despite the significant impact of Origin on their squad.
Theyโre eight points ahead of the competition and had it not been for the Cowboysโ dramatic last-ditch win on Sunday, they could have been 10 points ahead just weeks out from the finals โ a feat not achieved since the 1970s.
The Eels, meanwhile, have a 5-4 record across the same period despite a negligible Origin impact on their star-studded spine. At their best, theyโve rarely looked convincing, and at their worst theyโve been diabolical, as we saw in last weekโs capitulation to Brisbane.
But according to Panthers co-captain Isaah Yeo, it wouldnโt matter if the Eels were 2nd or 16th this week โ because as the defending premiers, every opponent steps up for a clash with Penrith.
โWe respect our opposition no matter where they are on the table, thatโs something we do well,โ Yeo told Zero Tackle.
โWeโre getting every team at their best as the premiers.
"This is a really big game, (the derby) is always important. They've beaten us before and they're trying to get back into form as well. They're a proud team that knows they need to be better.
โ(The loss) helps motivate us a bit more, but we understand we just want to be playing our best football. Itโs been harder with Origin to get some cohesiveness and sessions together as a group but weโre just trying to get better each week.โ
That cohesiveness has taken a hit with the news this week that star five-eighth Jarome Luai will miss multiple weeks with a knee injury. Though his replacement Sean OโSullivan has started five games this year thanks to Origin and an injury to Nathan Cleary, he and the clubโs No.7 havenโt actually played together.
โ(Luai) is a big out who does a quality job,โ Yeo said.
โYou never like to see those injuries but fortunately he should be back before the finals. Our plan doesnโt change but (OโSullivan) is a different player. Weโll have to tweak a little bit.โ
Yeo said the defeat to the Eels has served as a helpful reminder to the Panthers.
While so many finals mainstays like the Storm, Roosters and Rabbitohs have struggled for consistency as much as Parramatta in 2022, the defeat is a constant reminder that any of those teams is still dangerous and capable enough of beating anyone on their day.
โ(The loss) reminds you that any team can beat you, especially in the top eight. If you have a poor game against those teams and theyโre on, youโll get beaten.
โBut weโve done really well over the past two and a half years. Weโve been incredibly consistent and we know we have to continue that.โ
The clash kicks off tomorrow night, Friday July 29th at 7.55pm (AEST)
