Why Penrith gun’s four-try dream debut should be no surprise – Fox Sports

Staines is the latest of a long list of stars that Penrith have developed through their strong connections to central west NSW, finishing the Panthers Jersey Flegg Player of the Year in 2019.
Of the 17 who ran out on Saturday, Liam Martin (Temora), Brent Naden (Wellington), Isaah Yeo (Dubbo) and Billy Burns (Parkes) all hail from in and around the central west.
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Round 9
Penrith debutant burns Sharks
1:01
Traditionally a ball-playing fullback, Staines was called in after Whare failed to recover in time from a toe injury.
Coach Ivan Cleary has a tough call to make though with Whare nearing a return as he weighs up whether one strong performance from Staines is enough to warrant keeping him in the side.
The 19-year old from Forbes scored four tries, ran 146 metres, busted six tackles and made four linebreaks in the 56-24 win over the Sharks.
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‘Whirlwind’ four-try debutant
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Wingers are always more likely to nab a bunch of tries but Naden himself has also proven a try-scoring relevation for the Panthers in the centres.
Whare, on the other hand, has three tackle busts, no linebreaks or tries and averages 76 running metres from seven appearances this year.
Even last season he managed just the one try, five tackle busts, four linebreaks and 60 metres per game from 18 games.
The former Sea Eagles attacking numbers werent always so low though.
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Dean Whare makes up for his lack of attack with plenty of defensive grunt. (AAP Image/Craig Golding)Source: AAP
From 2017-18, Whare finished with 60 tackle breaks, 13 line breaks and seven tries.
Of course, Whares greatest strength has never been his attack.
Rather, it is his bruising shots in defence and composure which have proven invaluable for young Panthers stars like Stephen Crichton.
Sharks grab a rare highlight
0:38
After all my wrong reads in defence, Deanos always the first one to tip me up about it in terms of my positioning on the field, getting up early, Crichton told the Western Weekender earlier this month.
But if there is one thing the Panthers are lacking from the outside backs it is pace.
Staines speed was on full display in the first half when an early spread to the right edge saw him sprint downfield and find Dylan Edwards linking in support.
Staines scored three tries. Picture. Phil HillyardSource: News Corp Australia
Staines is contracted to the club until 2021 and was handed a development contract in February this year which saw him eligible for selection on Saturday.
With Brian Too injured, the Panthers will be missing his spark on the wing and the obvious solution is to move Brent Naden with Whare on the inside.
Both Naden and Crichton are still raw so keeping Whare may be the smart move to ensure there is a balance of youth and experience on the edge when making defensive decisions under pressure.
Brent Naden celebrates with Staines. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
But given the strength of Penriths edges with Viliame Kikau and Liam Martin causing constant headaches for opposition defenders, they could do with some pace on the wing to exploit through early shifts inside their own field.
Staines is that man.
Even if he doesnt find himself in first grade next week, his starring performance is just more proof that the Panthers do junior development best in the NRL.
15 of the 17 that ran out in pink on Saturday made their first-grade debuts at the foot of the mountains.
Staines is the latest in a long line of future stars to come from out west.

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