He does bounce it quite a lot - doesn't that count???

The raw spped and agility he has could make an outstanding finisher, the try he scored passed Saints - not the length of the field one, the one down the stand side was an outstanding bit of work. In relatively confined space his pace took him passed 2 or 3 good defenders to score a fabulous try something Saints haven't had the option to do for a good while.

Yes he has defensive problems but considering he didn't start the game as a kid of 6, 7 or 8 like most players do these days it was always going to be difficult to learn the basics when Cullen threw him in right at the deep end.

Do the club have any outstanding wing prospects in our academy? Armstrong is a decent prospect but certainly doesn't look to have the pace to go the length of the field against anyone. Potential young wingers for 2010 Foster / Lomax / Bradbury are all destined to play in other positions.

If Penny wasn't expensive I would happily have him as a bit of a project at Saints but wouldn't expect him in the first team for 12-18 months while he learns the finer points of the defensive side of the game and then gradually introduce him so his confidence isn't obliterated due to one bad game

Great post, think your spot on.

That inexperience also manifested itself at times when he taunted other players as he was heading to score.
Some of his opponents will have taken this to be arrogance , and that from a player who has achieved very little.

i wouldnt mind penny at saints can he be any worse than meli or gardner. every time a kick goes to meli i fear the worst

Which is odd given your sig...

A couple of urban myths to put to bed:

Penny has very good handling, especially in the air.

His weakness, which was accentuated by our problematic left edge defence, was his reading of attacking lines. This was a focal point of oppositions efforts, leading his confidence shattered.

The biggest culprits for bagging him, was his his own 'supporters'.

He's been playing the game for five years, pretty raw by any standards.

His greatest ability isn't the fact he is quick, he has an excellent change of pace and step and can use them effectively.

Being throw in at the deep end, as referenced above hampered his progress more than helping it.

i do need to change my sig that was from when i had hope in ade

I would think it would be a good signing. Despite how maligned he is, he is no worse defensively than Francis Meli is in a big match. Put him with Gidley and he wouldn't be able to make all that much damage on our own line. In attack he'd score 30 tries.

Exactly. He has his defensive problems but they are coachable. I'd take a winger that fast tomorrow, he could be turned into brilliant player.

I'd have Penny at Saints! I know he makes cock ups but decent coaching would help that and playing him alongside Gidley he'll get space to move! I know it was a different era but Meninga created so many tries for Sean Day... and Penny is definately better than Day. Mind you, Meninga was better than Gidley is. I still believe we could make him a better player at Saints. Eastmond would have to improve his kicking game or we could use Moore at 7? I think Price needs to stop sulking, shed afew pounds and in doing so get his pace back, then I'd have him in left centre with Meli or Gardner on left wing.

He is not exactly the thinking mans Francis Meli, is he?

Why is everybody so liberal minded about players from other clubs making abominable cock ups on a weekly basis yet apparently keen to have Francis Meli boiled in oil at the first sign of a knock on?

Probably because Meli's a seasoned, overseas international on significant cash, whereas Penny is a young player with potential given the right coaching.

Because Meli has cost us two Grand Finals perhaps?

If Saints signed Kevin Penny he'd be verbally crucified every week, regardless of age or experience.