Penrith flying, the Chooks' reality & Sharks' speedbump

On the latest episode of Rugby League Insider, James Hooper, Darcie McDonald and Brandon Savage dissect a weekend defined by the ominous form of the Penrith Panthers.

Panthers "catapulted out of a cannon"

The Penrith Panthers’ clinical dismantling of the Sydney Roosters on Friday night sent a clear message to the rest of the competition. James Hooper noted that the mountain men appear to have benefited significantly from a simplified pre-season.

"The way that they have catapulted themselves out of a cannon to begin the year—ominous signs for the rest of the competition," Hooper said.

Darcy McDonald agreed, suggesting the Panthers have already established a gap between themselves and the chasing pack. "They just look like they have clicked into gear so early... they are already heads and shoulders above everybody else in the competition," McDonald said.

Roosters Face "sobering reality"

While Penrith soared, the Roosters were left searching for answers. Despite the hype surrounding their star-studded spine, their performance was described by Hooper as "bitterly disappointing."

"Equally as big as how dominant Penrith were is how shit the Roosters were," Hooper said. "One early try and then aside from that... they won’t want to be having 40 put on them on too many other occasions this season."

The Jake Trbojevic dilemma

The conversation turned to Manly’s "spiritual leader," Jake Trbojevic. With questions arising over his statistical impact, the panel debated whether coach Anthony Seibold faces a career-defining selection headache.

"Coach Anthony Seibold's got a really tough decision here because he’s coaching to try and save his own career," Hooper observed.

Brandon Savage argued that removing the lock from the side would be "career suicide," though McDonald noted the physical toll of Trbojevic's lionhearted style. "He’s getting older. He’s not as good as what he used to be... but if you take him out of the side, who is going to be that motivator?" McDonald asked.

Broncos break the Melbourne voodoo

In one of the upsets of the round, the Brisbane Broncos ended a decade-long drought at AAMI Park. James Hooper praised the "blueprint" devised by Kevin Walters to unsettle the Storm’s clinical rhythm.

"Mag’s come up and devised a blueprint and a game plan to unsettle Melbourne’s clinical rhythm," Hooper said. "There’s a reason... there’s rhyme and reason behind those hoodoos. They’re a real thing."

Dragons’ 'impotent' attack

St George Illawarra’s 0-3 start prompted a blunt assessment of their offensive structures. James Hooper suggested the side is currently too predictable.

"Their attack looked impotent at times," Hooper said. "I think this is the risk you run when you roll with the buzzword of this season—a hybrid halfback. I far prefer your traditional halfbacks who’ve come through wearing the number seven."

Flying and Fizzing

The panel concluded by naming their standout performers and those who failed to meet the mark:

• Flying: James Hooper awarded his "Flying" honours to South Sydney’s Jai Gray, describing the young fullback as an "Energizer Bunny" who has taken significant pressure off Latrell Mitchell.
• Fizzing: The Cronulla Sharks were called out for their defensive lapses. "Fitzy will be sharpening the blade at training this week," Hooper said. "Defensively, certainly that’s where the area of the game that Fitzy absolutely prides the Sharks on... and they lacked some creativity."