Lang and Campbell to say their goodbyes
Saturday, September 2, 2006 - 2:31 PM
The curtain comes down on one of the most successful periods in Penrith Panthers history on Sunday with coach John Lang and popular pivot Preston Campbell bidding farewell to the fans who only a matter of seasons ago helped them celebrate a NRL premiership triumph.
While 2006 won't go down as one of the more memorable ones at the foot of the mountains, Lang said there will still be plenty to celebrate at CUA Stadium when the Panthers host competition high flyers the Bulldogs.
"We'd love to be battling it out for a finals spot but it's not to be," Lang said.
"We just want to play well and obviously if you can win that's a bonus.
"There's a few of the boys leaving, there's always a few pangs when you leave but it's certainly been a worthwhile experience. We've won a comp, it's been a great time."
While Campbell will link up with the new Gold Coast side next season Lang is expected to take a break from the game.
He said he had no definite plans for next season and was just concentrating on finishing off with a win against the Bulldogs on Sunday.
His cause hasn't been help by the withdrawal of halfback Craig Gower (knee) and Joel Clinton (shoulder). Craig Trindall will come into the side for Gower with Lang still undecided on a replacement for his big front rower.
The Bulldogs head to the foot of the mountains looking for some much needed form before the finals series after going down in their previous two encounters.
Coach Steve Folkes admitted the Bulldogs had struggled to find top form in recent weeks, which he attributed more to the side's lofty position on the ladder than the devastating knee injuries suffered by representative duo Roy Asotasi and Willie Tonga.
"We've obviously known we were going to be in the eight for quite a while and our aim was to finish in the top two," Folkes said.
"We've achieved that and now we just need to work on some things against Penrith this weekend.
"We just want to go out there and play really well and carry some of that into the semis."
While Asotasi is rated some chance of playing again if the Bulldogs can reach the grand final, Folkes said it was important his side concentrated on who was out on the field and not sitting in the grandstands.
"You have to forget about the guys that are injured and obviously rely on the guys that are going to take the field," Folkes said.
"I've got full confidence in the guys I've brought up.
"It's a matter of their teammates trusting them and I'm sure that will happen especially now we've had a couple of games to do that."
Source: AAP