Sport
Lynch mob circling for Elliott after loss
Thursday 27 March, 2008 12:00am
PANTHERS coach Matt Elliott may not be ready to fall victim to the hangman's noose just yet, but he concedes there are others who are already thinking that way.
"I'm not quite ready to pull out the rope and hang myself," he said.
"There might be some people looking to do it for me."
The Panthers' defeat on Saturday at CUA Stadium at the hands of a depleted Raiders team has raised questions not just of Elliott's coaching ability but also the players' ability to perform the basics of rugby league.
The fundamentals of catching and passing were of greatest concern to Elliott.
"There is an expectation that at this level those skills can be performed," he said.
Canberra were reduced to just two men on the interchange bench having already made significant changes to their team due to injury in the lead-up.
Despite Penrith taking the lead just four minutes into the game, Canberra started the game in spectacular fashion.
A try to William Zillman came from a missed tackle by Brad Tighe that resulted in Zillman running more than 70m to score.
The only time Penrith looked dangerous was when Rhys Wesser scored after some brilliant ball movement from Jarrod Sammut and Maurice Blair.
Blair was thrust into the five-eight role after Sammut moved to halfback to replace the demoted Joe Williams.
Sammut has solved the dilemma that saw a number of players being trialled for No. 7 role.
The problem now lies with who will partner him on a regular basis at pivot, with the much-favoured Luke Lewis still out with a hand injury.
With this week's game again at CUA Stadium, the Panthers will be looking for a much better performance against South Sydney.
Both teams are winless so far in 2008 and the game should ensure one of them two points.
That win cannot come soon enough for Elliott.
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