Penrith Panthers

NSW Cup ReportThe 2008 Rugby League NSW Cup competition witnessed the merger of the WindsorWolves with the Penrith Panthers. As could be expected, the joint venture encountered afew minor teething problems in the initial setting-up process. The season was a harmoniousone, proving to be a huge learning curve, with necessary modifications in both clubs’structures and operations.I was very honoured and proud to be selected as the coach in the inaugural year of theWindsor/Penrith NSW Cup team. I have no doubt that with this experience as a solidfoundation, next season we can help players make the transition from NSW Cup to theNRL far more effectively.The NSW Cup, I believe, needs to given more exposure. There has to be an elite competition,in which we are able to field members from the top 25, along with those players who nolonger qualify for the Under-20s competition. In my estimate, we are too often forced intomaking premature decisions on players based solely on their age. I really hope the NSWCup continues to develop, to the degree that it equals the prestige and significance heldnorth of the border by the Queensland Cup.Unfortunately we experienced a particularly poor start to the season, winning only twoof our first seven games. In our early stages, both the staff and I were searching extremelyhard for answers. To be honest, it was not a great or comfortable situation to live through.However, the staff and the playing group continued their combined hard work, and withthat “can-do” attitude mapping out our fate we knew we could turn things around.Back-to-back wins became our focus and winning games fostered a great self-belief withinthe playing group. We finished the season in very good form, winning 11 of our last 13games. We made the finals series after finishing the regular season in fifth position. We lostour final to Newtown 30-16. Under the McIntyre system we didn’t have much luck withthe other finals results either, with the eighth-placed team beating the minor premier, andsixth-placed defeating the third-placed team. So our season from that game was effectivelyover.individual start to the NSW Cup season. Also players such us Dan Randall, Ben McFadgeonand Andrew Pearn have all been selected to train and trial with the Panthers’ 2009 NRLSquad. It gives the auxiliary coaching staff and myself great satisfaction to witness theseyoung men follow their chance to pursue their dream.Thank-youTo Dick Prior, Chris Carl, Ann Brown and the hard working Board and Committee fromthe Windsor Leagues Club, I wish to convey my sincere thanks for your unlimited supportthroughout the season and for making me feel so very welcome at your wonderful club.I also wish to thank both Michael Leary and Matthew Elliott from Panthers for their faithin appointing me as coach and for giving me an opportunity to further my coaching careerat a higher level.To my very supportive coaching staff, who included assistant coach Guy Missio, strengthand conditioning trainers Grant Muscat and Kane Roberts, our medical staff PeterGreenwood and Stephen Garrick – thank you for your unstinting efforts throughout 2008.To Charlie Vella, my stats man, taxi and verbal sounding board – thanks for sticking andremaining so steadfast throughout the season.Thank you to my beautiful wife, and all the wives and partners of our staff and players, foryour patience and understanding through the course of a very long season.To each of the 49 players who pulled on a Windsor NSW Cup Jersey, I wish to acknowledgeall your hard work and applaud the manner in which you responded during the toughperiods of the season. I hope that you all enjoy more success, both on the football field andin the pursuit any other dreams you may work for in life.Head Coach – Adam PrzybylaWe unearthed some very talented Rugby League footballers in the course of the season.We witnessed the likes of Josh Bateman make his first grade debut after an outstanding14