Alexander works with Nathan Cleary and Jimmy Maloney and attends all the attacking meetings. Simmons works with the hookers and was spotted on Wednesday scribbling down some fresh drills on a whiteboard, which he will help implement at Thursday's opposed session. Loading The Penrith Godfather himself, Phil Gould, offers regular input at video sessions. David Simmons has spent a session working with the outside backs, premiership Panthers Tony Puletua met with the forwards during a lunch, Scott Sattler, another premiership winner, will assist at Friday's captain's run, while assistant Peter Wallace has not had a day off the past month. Ciraldo bounces ideas of lower-grade coaches Ben Harden and Guy Missio, two friends he still shares office space with deep inside the Panthers Academy. The coach resisted the opportunity to move into Griffin's office.

Greg Alexander works with Panthers young playmaker Nathan Cleary. Credit:Penrith Panthers Loud music has also been introduced at training sessions to replicate the game-day environment and encourage players to use their voices more on the field. As he prepares for Saturday's elimination final against the Warriors, Ciraldo told Fairfax Media there was no way he was going to ignore some of the club's great minds. "I thought I was going to need all the help I could get," Ciraldo said. "When we had the transition, 'Brandy' [Alexander] put his hand up to help, while Royce works with the captain's club and I thought it was a good idea to use him. He'd also been a head coach and assistant coach, I've always got along with him and chatted about drills and skills. Club legend Royce Simmons has been working with the hookers. Credit:Penrith Panthers

"He's got a million drills in notebooks, and just this morning he was in the hallways before he wrote up some drills on the whiteboard. It's all been working well so far. The important thing is we're all on the same page.'' Ciraldo and Wallace will meet for coffee at 6am on any given day. They allowed themselves a half-hour sleep-in last week leading into the shock win over the Storm in Melbourne. The Panthers lost to the Warriors a fortnight ago. They did not play Maloney that day. A list of 25 complaints about penalties and dud calls was sent to referees' boss Bernard Sutton, who agreed with Ciraldo on 16 points. Cameron Ciraldo directs proceedings at Penrith training this week. Credit:AAP

The Panthers also did well to keep their cool against the Storm when they trailed in the penalty count 11-2. Cameron Smith was overheard to be called off-side four times in the first half alone, yet was never penalised. When Maloney tried to raise the point with the referees, he was ordered to go away. The Panthers have one of the most exciting rosters in the game, and being so young just need a little confidence. Ciraldo also knows how lucky he is to have genuine match-winner Maloney. Several good judges noticed Maloney was focused rather than jovial at Monday's captain's call.

"He drives people on the field, he lines our forwards up, and he helps Nathan with communication," Ciraldo said. "His experience last week during the way, and just the way he was speaking at training, it rubbed off on a few people. The Panthers prepare for their elimination final against the Warriors. Credit:AAP "He's a winner. It's good to have him. He can have a laugh with the boys and have a joke, but come a video session or as soon as you get on to the field, he demands perfection." It's easy to forget Ciraldo is just 15 months older than Maloney. Ciraldo has given no thought to what happens beyond his next loss. The early mail was Ivan Cleary would return to the foot of the mountains, but if that does happen it won't be for at least 12 months. If Ciraldo sticks around, at least he'll have no shortage of help.