HARDEN’S EASY MOVE TO NEW GIG

from Western Weekender March 24 2023

No better Derby victory

After a decade in various roles within the Penrith Panthers, Ben Harden has found the move to NSW Cup coach a smooth transition after replacing Peter Wallace this season.

Since joining the club in 2012, Harden has held numerous jobs at the Panthers, including coach of SG Ball and Jersey Flegg, Head of Pathways and a role with the NRL squad.

Harden identified the roles he’s held within lower grades and pathways among the keys of the easy transition for himself and the players.

“Any player in our NSW Cup squad at the moment, I’ve either coached in my teams or coached throughout our programs,” Harden said.

“I’ve been around them and they’ve been familiar with me ever since they first came into our club. It’s handy having known most of these boys for three-plus years.”

That familiarity has not only helped the coach and players, but the settled nature of the squad has made it easy for new additions to the club, according to Harden.

“For new players coming into the system… it’s easier for them to transition into because they get connected to the group,” he said.

“They understand the club and the culture is so connected.

“We’ve got blokes like Zac Hosking and Jack Cogger, they’ve slipped in seamlessly because of how tight the rest of the group is.”

Harden also believes the tight-knit nature of the squad has helped youngsters like Jesse McLean and Jack Cole as they move into regular senior footy, while also nominating the experienced Tyrone Peachey along with Thomas Jenkins, Lindsay Smith and Liam Henry as some of the pre-season’s best performers aiming for NRL appearances in 2023.

Facing Parramatta after the bye will also give the Panthers an advantage as they look to remain unbeaten, according to Harden.

“With the short pre-season, we had the majority of the boys come back from the World Cup, so we had to hit the ground running,” he said.

“It’s good that after a couple of trials and first