Cole Shapes as Penrith's NRL Finals Wildcard Ahead of Perth Bears Move
Jack Cole is set to play a crucial role in Penrith's NRL finals campaign as he prepares to make just his fifth appearance of the season in Sunday's semi-final against the Sydney Roosters. The 23-year-old five-eighth has spent most of the season on the fringes of the team but has been given a chance to shine in the lead-up to the finals.
Jack Cole's chance on the NRL's biggest stage has been a long time coming, but now the Penrith five-eighth could shape as the Panthers finals wildcard.
Sunday's semi-final against the Sydney Roosters will be just his fifth game of the year and 22nd of his career since his debut four years ago.
Cole's Journey to the Finals
Cole has spent the time since in and out of first grade, and while the 23-year-old was always part of the team he only sporadically strapped up on match day, especially as the season heated up.
For four straight Septembers, Cole ran opposed sessions and tried to do whatever else he could to get the top side ready for whatever finals battle was to come, waiting for his chance as he bore witness to the greatest dynasty of modern times.
Cole has started at five-eighth in Penrith's last two matches of the regular season.