NRL: Panthers' claws out for Sydney's star playmaker

Todd Carney starred in the Roosters' 19-15 win over Wests Tigers. Photo / Getty Images

Dally M medallist Todd Carney is front and centre of Penrith's game plan for Saturday's sudden-death NRL semifinal, Panthers coach Matt Elliott has admitted.

Carney was brilliant in pulling the Sydney Roosters out of the fire in last Saturday night's stunning 19-15 win over the Wests Tigers and Elliott says his side has discussed the playmaker at length.

"Yeah, definitely, he's a high-quality player," Elliott said. "But they've got other high quality players in their team as well and we've talked about them as well.

"[Carney] didn't get voted the best player in the comp by mistake, he's playing some great footy and I thought he played great last week as well.

"We won't be ignoring him, that's for sure."

The Panthers headed behind closed doors on Wednesday in preparation for the Sydney Football Stadium showdown with their 2003 grand final opponents.

Star fullback Lachlan Coote, who has been sidelined for six weeks with osteitis pubis, completed at least the contact and ballwork sessions and several Panthers players were ready to declare he would play on Saturday.

"He's definitely ready to play, he's jumping out of his skin," halfback Luke Walsh said. "He trained really well today so he'll be right."

Elliott, though, was being more cautious.

"The answer for Cootey is it's not what he did today, it's how he pulls up tomorrow," he said. "That's the first real solid hitout where he's done lateral movement and some contact."

Elliott said Coote would need to complete the side's final session this week to be considered for a recall.

"The guy that's been playing fullback for us [Michael Gordon] has done an outstanding job and so I don't feel like we're going to be compromised either way," the coach said.

"It's obviously a risk not playing him if he's right to go because he can do some special stuff so, if he can't train the last session properly, he won't be playing."

Interchange prop Tim Grant remains in doubt with an ankle injury and did not train after pulling up sore from Tuesday's session, but Elliott said his medical staff were confident.

The Panthers have lost second-rowers Trent Waterhouse (pectoral) and Frank Pritchard (hamstring) for the do-or-die clash, replaced by Nathan Smith and Gavin Cooper, but warhorse captain Petero Civoniceva returns from suspension.

"I've got to focus on the contribution that the guys that are there can make and I've got a heap of confidence in both Smithy and Coops," Elliott said.

WHAT: NRL Elimination Semi-final

WHO: Sydney Roosters v Penrtih Panthers

WHERE: Sydney Football Stadium

WHEN: 9.45pm Saturday (NZT)

TV: Live on Sky Sport 2

- AAP