EXCLUSIVE: Billy Slater claims it would be 'brave' to write off battling Panthers amid form slump
Storm legend Billy Slater has backed the struggling Panthers to turn around their 1-4 start to the season, saying people shouldn't "write off" the four-time reigning premiers.
Fresh off their latest defeat at the hands of the Cowboys in round five, Penrith are now in a position they haven't found themselves in for more than half a decade.
However, on this week's episode of Nine's Billy Slater Podcast, the champion fullback pointed out a similar situation he endured at Melbourne 13 years ago.
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Nathan Cleary of the Panthers and teammates look on. Getty
"I'm not ready to write Penrith off, that's for sure," Slater said.
"They are a team over the last five years that haven't beaten themselves and in consecutive weeks, they've made 16 errors - that's beating yourselves."
"In 2012, we talk about five losses on the trot, we [Storm] lost five in a row in the middle of the year and we held the trophy up at the end of the year."
"You're a brave man or woman to write the Panthers off right now.
"They've got too much class and they have too many good habits, not in their recent performances, ingrained in their footy team to put a line through the right now."
Penrith's reign has stretched from 2021 onwards, but have now lost four on the bounce after their narrow first-round win against the Cronulla Sharks in Las Vegas.
The losses have placed the Panthers in 15th on the ladder, with plenty questioning whether it could see the powerhouse club drop out of finals contentions.
Defence has remained the struggle in each loss, but Slater reminded Penrith fans of the team's ability to build momentum rapidly.
Panthers players react during the loss to North Queensland. Getty
"Nathan Cleary was back on the weekend and he made a difference," he said.
"They looked more fluent with the football - but still, they find themselves on the wrong end of the scoreboard. There are certainly concerns there, defensive concerns.
"Obviously the ball control concerns, but I don't think it's beyond them to turn it around.
"I really think if Dylan Edwards comes back this week, they're not far off getting it right and they're that good, that they can get it right and go on a run."
Penrith will play the Dolphins on Thursday and will be aiming to break their losing streak.
