Veteran five-eighth Jamie Soward is looking to have a greater impact as the Panthers look to separate themselves from the logjam of teams building at the bottom of the Telstra Premiership ladder.
The Panthers have struggled this season specifically in attack with their entire spine spending extended periods injured on the sideline, it was laid bare in their 10-4 loss to the Eels last weekend.
Even with fullback Matt Moylan and halfback Peter Wallace out for the season, Soward believes it is a matter of him now complimenting respective fill-ins Will Smith and Isaac John leading into the backend of the year – starting against the Warriors on Saturday.
"We have had guys there who are capable of doing a job and I think Isaac and Will are playing really well as is Chicko [hooker James Segeyaro] so I need to hold up my end of the bargain," Soward said, who has produced just four try assists in 2015.
"I need to make sure I'm steering the team around. Obviously when the attack's struggling, the halves usually get the blame for it, but being the older half I need to make sure I get everything right.
"When you had a game like we did against Parramatta personally, you just want to get out there and play as soon as you can, so the game can't come soon enough for me so I'm looking forward to it."
With coach Ivan Cleary conceding that Penrith's season is over following the Eels loss, much to the shock of captain Elijah Taylor, Soward added that it didn't mean they could revert to free-flowing football to match the Warriors.
"We have to stick to the game plan. Our attack has struggled so it's a matter of rocking up, getting the job done or pay the consequences. I'd like to think with us being at home it's a chance for us to really redeem ourselves." Soward said.
"Especially myself, I'm building this up as the game of the season for me. It's been disappointing all year so I need to make sure I'm come out and get the job done.
"For us preparation is important and being able to tinker a few things. We'll see what troops we can get back too."
This article first appeared on NRL.com.
