A "filthy" Reagan Campbell-Gillard admits to Penrith getting ahead of themselves and having their minds on the NRL finals during last week's smash up at the hands of Manly.
The Panthers are nursing the scars, both mentally and physically, after being trounced 28-12 by the Sea Eagles on the eve of the finals.
Anthony Griffin's side get a chance for revenge when they meet Manly again in Saturday's elimination final at Allianz Stadium.
Panthers prop Campbell-Gillard says they had allowed themselves to get swept up in their own hype and already looking ahead to the finals.
"We were just a bit comfortable, knowing we were going to play semi-final footy, and that's what happens when you look far ahead - a team like that puts 28 points on you," Campbell-Gillard said.
"We weren't mentally right going into that game and they came out strong. We didn't cope with it - that's football. We'll fix it."
Campbell-Gillard, who has come of age over the past few months thanks to some fearless runs which have exhibited a lack of self-preservation, admits he had been successfully targeted by the Sea Eagles' forwards.
The Panthers were still feeling the affects on Tuesday with Trent Merrin, Waqa Blake and Tim Browne failing to train or getting an early mark to seek treatment for bumps and bruises.
All three are expected to take the field on Saturday night.
The result left the Panthers burning and champing at the bit for revenge.
"Filthy is a word you could probably use," Campbell-Gillard said.
"We're pretty disappointed with the effort we tried to put in there on Saturday, especially because it was our last (regular season) game.
"We were in the game. We looked at it and we just didn't actually realise that we were. We get over it now."
Share
