'Kick up the arse' for unlikely grand final star

No player in Sunday's grand final has overcome more adversity in his career than under-rated Panthers back-rower Luke Garner. At various times during his journey to the grand final, Garner was cut by clubs, told 'you are too small', 'your attitude isn't good' and 'you are too slow'. At one stage, Garner had to mow lawns to make ends meet after being cut by the Roosters and reduced to playing park football. "I've had plenty of ups and downs, that's for sure," Garner told Wide World of Sports. "I started out on the wing at home on the Gold Coast, the Titans didn't really want me so then moved to the centres and played U20s for Manly and then tried my luck at the Roosters. "They tried to make me a back-rower but I just couldn't put on enough weight - and they said my work ethic wasn't good enough. "To be fair they were probably right - they sent me to their feeder club Wyong on the Central Coast and I became a park footy player who mowed lawns. "It was the kick up the arse I needed and I knuckled down and was lucky enough to be picked up by Wests in the NSW Cup and eventually Ivan (Cleary) gave me a shot at the Tigers from there.

Secret weapon in penriths charge to four-peat

The Panthers have plenty of big names, but it's one of the lesser lights who is proving a driving force behind their charge towards a fourth straight title. Hard-running forward Luke Garner rarely gets a mention when the Panthers are discussed, and his lack of profile worked in his favour against the Roosters on Friday night. While the Roosters were trying to smother all the big-name Panthers, Garner charged over for two tries, playing a key role in the club's 30-10 win in the emotional farewell to Penrith Park. Garner was listed on the bench but replaced the injured Scott Sorensen in the starting side and made the most of his elevation. An intelligent wide runner, he loved charging off Nathan Cleary's shoulder as the Panthers moved to within two games of their goal - the four-peat.

'Late Bloomer' running riot for panthers

Mark down Luke Garner as one of the biggest improvers in the competition. The under-rated back-rower didn't exactly set the world on fire in five seasons at the Tigers but is thriving with three-time premiers Penrith, having proved vital in last year's grand final win. The busy forward bagged two tries against Souths last week and added to that tally with the first try in Friday night's gritty win over a determined Bulldogs team. At 28, Garner is proving a late bloomer and it's amazing what a change of clubs can do for some players.

Panthers quartert that must step up

Rugby league is a 17-man game these days - and that's something Ivan Cleary will be reminding the Panthers bench in the lead-up to Sunday's grand final.For as magnificent as the Panthers' starting 13 were in the demolition of the Storm last Friday night, the four players from the bench were somewhat underwhelming.Of Jack Cogger, Lindsay Smith, Luke Garner and Spencer Leniu, only the latter provided the Panthers with any real spark when he took the field. A tower of strength all season, Leniu made 10 bruising runs for 105 metres.Smith was down on his usual high impact game, producing 73 metres from 11 runs and Garner had just four runs for 43 metres.Cogger was barely noticed, but he played only the final 22 minutes after replacing Jarome Luai and the game was already done and dusted by that stage.To beat the in-form Broncos, the Panthers are going to need far greater contributions from the four men on the bench.Their role will be to lift the team with their enthusiasm and drive - and the Panthers will be well on the way to the cherished three-peat if they manage to do that.

Garner 'spewing' about Webster's NRL move

Wests Tigers second-rower Luke Garner has admitted he was "spewing" when he heard Andrew Webster would begin coaching the Warriors next year, denying the pair a chance to reunite at Penrith.Panthers coach Ivan Cleary and his assistant Webster handed Garner his NRL debut when all three were at the Tigers in 2018.Garner said the chance to play under Cleary and Webster again was a major reason he signed with Penrith for 2023."I know Ivan very well and Andrew Webster was here as well but unfortunately (Webster) won't be there next year," Garner said."I was pretty spewing about (his move to the Warriors) but I'm stoked for him to get a head coach role, I know that's what he wanted."I know a couple of the boys (at Penrith). They're a good side as well so there were a couple of things that made me make that decision."Webster was defence coach during his time at the Tigers but since arriving at Penrith ahead of the 2021 season, has overseen the Panthers' attack which produced more points than any other side through 17 rounds.Garner said Webster was ready to make the move to head coach."I think Webby will do well. He was a very good coach here. You look at how Penrith are going and I'm sure he contributes to that," Garner said."I'm just stoked he's got that gig and he can show what he can do."Garner has the chance to come up against his soon-to-be teammates on Sunday night, when the Tigers take on an understrength Penrith at CommBank Stadium.Cleary is giving all seven of his State of Origin representatives the weekend off but Garner said the Tigers couldn't become complacent if they hoped to upset the Panthers, just as they did in last year's Origin period."The Panthers have plenty of depth and they're the benchmark in the NRL, so it's never a good week to get the Panthers," he said.