Penrith's defense, particularly on the left edge, is a concern for coach Ivan Cleary ahead of finals, despite their current top ladder position.
Ivan Cleary's blunt response said it best when the Penrith coach was asked if he was concerned about the Panthers' defensive frailties on their left edge.
"Yes," the Penrith coach said on Thursday after his side survived a scare to beat Parramatta 24-18.
The Eels scored two of their three tries down that side where Isaiah Papali'i starts in the backrow, Blaize Talagi slots in at five-eighth, with Casey McLean at centre and try machine Tom Jenkins on the wing.
Penrith remain on top of the ladder and on course for the minor premiership, but the last fortnight has shown their left side defence has some vulnerabilities that could be exposed come September.