The Panthers remain confident they can retain the VB NSW Cup despite losing by 18 points to red-hot Wyong in their Qualifying Final at Pepper Stadium yesterday.
Penrith winger Malakai Watene-Zelezniak, who scored an amazing try in the fifth minute, said he believed the side still has the potential to go all the way in 2015 but simply switched off in the heat yesterday against the Roos.
“I think we started off good but as the game went on, I don’t know whether it was the heat or the conditions, but we started dropping off in defence and there are plenty of negatives to fix up for next week,” Watene-Zelezniak said.
““I think we need to fix our negatives from [yesterday], it was all about our attitude and the team effort clocking off when we shouldn’t have and if we fix those up we can capitalise and get the win.”
Watene-Zelezniak is hopeful of a future in first grade as well as continuing to learn his trade in the VB NSW Cup.
“One hundred per cent, [playing NRL] is everyone’s dream, you come and play NSW Cup for a chance to play up in grade, you just have to play good footy and hope for the best,” he said.
“I think now heading into semis to play some good footy, try to create a bit of interest and fingers crossed get a pre-season under my belt and try and play again next year.”
The Panthers get another bite at the VB NSW Cup 2015 cherry next week when they take on the Newcastle Knights in a rematch of last year’s decider at Kogarah Oval on Sunday afternoon.
