Civoncieva ballad having effect
July 6th 2008 10:18
Leading the way - Civoncieva 's aura has taken effect with Penrith beating Parramatta
Back when Petero Civoncieva was in Brisbane, teammates called him "petrol 70 cents a litre".
Whether it was for the price of fuel at the time or the cheap, yet quality they recieved, Civoncieva was always one to get the party started up front.
After nine successful seasons at the Broncos, Civoncieva was let go, with many fans left hardly talking such was the shock of his impending departure.
Many up north began to crawl, feeling sick imagining one of Brisbane's true greats in another NRL jumper.
While the most tragic fan would have barfed at Civoncieva's lost presence, predictions down south were now on the rise.
Somewhere in the foot of the mountains, lay a club about to be boosted with the quality of Australia's most consistent and willing forward. A man that brought with him success capable of spinning the whole of Penrith in silk.
After a start that would resemble a frozen sausage in a sink, the Panthers and Civoncieva needed a couple of minutes to redefine what season 2008 was all about. Courage, honour, duty and skill.
Today at Parramatta stadium, Civoncieva and co. allowed all those aspects to come alive. Officially, the Panthers were on song and Civoncieva was leading as usual.
The Panthers earn't the right to play with flamboyance against an Eels side dreadful in both form and attitude.
The likes of Luke Lewis and Michael Jennings really spread their wings due to the engine start they recieved from Civoncieva and co. upfront. The Man backing up from Origin four days earlier started a fight the Eels could not win.
In the end, Civoncieva caused a crash in confidence much like the M7 causes a 42 car pile-up. The Eels were left in mess and never recovered.
While there looks to be no sign of life on an Eels planet lacking structure and confidence, the Panthers were high. High enough to suggest they were out of place, losing trace of the past five weeks of disappointment.
Civoncieva was the man responsible for such an effort. He makes flowers grow on the most polluted of surfaces and his influence has Penrith holding on to a finals birth.
Grade by grade, Civoncieva and his Panthers are growing. Fans can finally sniff success.
This was a club that was in more bother than a man solving a rubix cube. The wooden spoon shun on their heads for 2007 and many expected a performance of similiar results in 2008.
Now, Penrith are scheming towards the finals ,their heads under the radar for some.
A team that wasn't game last year is starting to show the faces of courage and character. Civoncieva has now become an icon at the foot of the mountains.
For we know, the man can say whatever he wants to whoever he wants, whenever he wants ,however he wants such is the process of change experienced under his leadership.
But that is why Civoncieva has been the player is has been for all these years. The man has always demanded respect, yet he continues to show it in every match he plays.
Whether you're knew to the scene or a genuine superstar, Civoncieva will stand over you, not feeling the least bit sentimental about the hit he pulled to slam an opponents guts to the floor.
Although him and Penrith have just met, Civoncieva could be the love the Panthers desperately needed. The Passion and honour that comes with playing 24 Origins and countless Tests has shun on all his new teammates.
Like waking up in a morning full of sunshine, Civoncieva has injected a drug of enthusiasim that was apparent from the opening whistle against the Eels this afternoon.
In the long run, Penrith will look back on Civoncieva's efforts today and probably proclaim it as the deciding factor on their run to the finals.
The true X factor in their side, Civoncieva is carving the road to success. Like the spinal cord he is, the Panthers are enjoying the straight lines the former Bronco is now running.
If only the Panthers could find some more.
Civoncieva's influence is begininning to rival that of Ben Kennedy's at Manly. All grown up and updated, Civoncieva has taken it upon himself to help graduate his current team to the lofty heights of 2003.
Who knows? before the Penrith faithful know it, Civoncieva will be on his porch telling stories about the days he alone revived a club that was suffering the long nights of being the worst team in the NRL.
When he turns forty, Civoncieva will sit back and realise the steady and powerful influence his persona changed the Panthers into an outfit worthy of champions.
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