“I absolutely loved playing with ‘Kiks’,” Martin said. “He’s a generational freak and one of the best back-rowers of all time.
“I enjoyed playing with him and learning off him. I also enjoy those match-ups against him. I really can’t wait for the weekend.”
Viliame Kikau is nursing a swollen right eye but is expected to play against Penrith.Credit: Channel Nine
Martin and Kikau have clashed twice previously, and the former holds bragging rights after a 16-10 win last year and an 8-6 victory in round 17 this season which proved pivotal for Penrith.
Until that win, the reigning four-time champions were playing catch-up in the race for the finals, having slumped to five consecutive losses between rounds two and six. Beating Canterbury lifted them into the top eight, and they ultimately qualified seventh in the play-offs, before eliminating the Warriors 24-8 last Saturday in week one of the finals.
“That was a tough match-up,” Martin recalled of the last clash with Canterbury. “It was one of the best games of footy I’ve played in a long time.
“Both teams just going at it, and I guess you can expect the same this weekend. It was enjoyable, that match-up, and I’m sure it’ll be the same.”
Canterbury’s ex-Penrith contingent will be reduced by the absence of skipper Stephen Crichton, who suffered an ankle injury in the loss to Melbourne. But Kikau, Matt Burton and Jaeman Salmon will be facing their former club, as will Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo.
Ciraldo served his apprenticeship under Ivan Cleary at Penrith and was instrumental in their premiership wins of 2021-22.
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“I’ve had a long history with him since under-20s and I knew just how good he was,” Martin said of Ciraldo.
“He’s an incredible coach and I knew he would have been able to transform that club. I’m happy to see him doing well.”
Martin said the Panthers are full of confidence as they chase a fifth successive premiership, but warned that they are yet to play their best football.
“We still need to keep improving and keep getting better,” he said. “That’s the exciting thing. We’ve still got improvement in us.”
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