Australian and Queensland Rugby League champion Petero Civoniceva has been named the captain of the Penrith Panthers for the 2008 season.
Its a welcome change to have a respected leader as captain of the Panthers after years of having to put up with serial dickhead Craig Gower.
Civoniceva is just the type of leader the Panthers need. A consummate professional, a player that has achieved so much, who is respected on and off the field and who always gives his best no matter what level he is playing at.
For far to long the leadership within the Panthers side has been full of underachievers, erratic players, lazy players and big headed players. The likes of Petero Civoniceva will hopefully bring an end to that type of culture within the club.
Another player who I expect to take somewhat of a leadership role in halfback Joey Williams. I’m a big fan of Williams, not just because of his football but because in every interview I have seen and heard from him he seems like a honest, down to earth type of bloke.
I’m sure his attitude will rub off on the younger players in the club and help set a platform for future years.
Its hard to know how Penrith will go in 2008. They look like a much more solid and settled club this year but you can never tell if they will come out and play like world beaters, or if they will dissapoint from round one.
They have some great young tallent, some tough, seasoned professionals, some great leaders and some solid first graders through the entire lineup.
As we have seen with the Panthers over their 40+ year history though, whether they can pull it all together is anyones guess.
