It’s been raining cats and dogs in western Sydney for the last week, so it’s fitting that the Penrith Panthers take on the Canterbury Bulldogs in this fascinating round one clash. Join us for live scores and commentary from 7.30pm AEDT.
Six months after they faced off in the 2011 NRL grand final, Ivan Cleary and Des Hasler go head to head again – only this time, they’re both at the helm of completely different clubs.
Cleary’s appointment as Panthers coach was announced towards the back end of the 2011 season, and his arrival ushers in a new era for the club under the watchful eye of high-profile general manager Phil Gould.
Hasler, on the other hand, came to the Bulldogs during a tumultuous off-season in which he was ousted from the Sea Eagles just one month after guiding them to a memorable premiership.
Both men will be looking to make a statement in their opening hit-out, and it’s Hasler’s Bulldogs that will start favourites despite Penrith holding the home ground advantage and a head-to-head lead of 7-3 in these clubs’ last 10 encounters.
For Penrith, the majority of the headlines in the last few weeks have surrounded the battle for fullback between Michael Gordon and Lachlan Coote. Gordon’s versatility appears to have worked against him on this occasion, being named on the wing while Coote nabbed the No. 1 jersey.
Luke Lewis leads the Panthers out as captain following the departure of influential leader Petero Civoniceva. The Panthers also welcome three new recruits into their forward rotation in Cameron Ciraldo, Chris Armit and Clint Newton.
Meanwhile, Hasler has opted to play Josh Reynolds at five-eighth alongside Trent Hodkinson in the Bulldogs’ halves, ahead of expected pivot Kris Keating.
Dene Halatau steps into the starting role vacated by back rower Andrew Ryan’s retirement, while much-lauded UK prop James Graham will be injected from the bench.
The conditions will be slippery so expect the fullbacks to be tested – both Lachlan Coote and Benny Barba struggled with confidence at times under the high ball in 2011.
Will it be Hasler or Cleary who gets the maiden win at their new club tonight? Join us from 7.30pm tonight for live score updates and debate on our live blog.
Adam
Roar Guru
That concludes tonight's live coverage of the Panthers vs. Bulldogs on The Roar. Thanks for joining us!
Adam
Roar Guru
As for the Panthers, it was a game they could have won but they failed to capitalise on the mountain of possession they had in the first half. Even worse for the Panthers, however, is a potential season-ending injury to Michael Gordon in his first NRL game back from a knee reconstruction last season.
Adam
Roar Guru
Live Score: Panthers 14 - Bulldogs 22 FT -- It's Full Time at Centrebet Stadium and Bulldogs have the victory. James Graham was spectacular for the Bulldogs since coming off the bench after 20 minutes, and it was largely off the back of his good work that the Bulldogs were able to come away with the win. Ennis, Reynolds, Romelo and Pritchard also had strong games.
Adam
Roar Guru
Live Score: Panthers 14 - Bulldogs 22 79' TRY BULLDOGS! Lachlan Coote, what are you doing?! Bulldogs grubba through, should have been picked up easily by the fullback, but Coote makes an absolute meal of it -- he's caught by the bounce and lunges at it with his right leg instead of trying to pick it up. The ball goes straight to Bryson Goodwin, who claims the try. That'll be the game!
Adam
Roar Guru
Live Score: Panthers 14 - Bulldogs 18 77' Dayne Weston catches James Graham with a high shot flush across the face. He'll definitely have a case to answer with the match review committee. Bulldogs penalty. Time running out for Penrith.
Adam
Roar Guru
Live Score: Panthers 14 - Bulldogs 18 76' Pressure is on for the Doggies but they're defending well -- Penrith cannot find a way through. Walsh is rushed on the last tackle and can't get a kick away, forcing a pass that is called forward. Bulldogs ball. Big set in defence from Canterbury.
Adam
Roar Guru
Live Score: Panthers 14 - Bulldogs 18 74' Penrith with a kick off that finds the ground, and Reynolds fails to stop it from going over the sideline! Penrith ball 10m out!
Adam
Roar Guru
Live Score: Panthers 14 - Bulldogs 18 72' Turner raises the flags. 18-14 Doggies.
Adam
Roar Guru
Live Score: Panthers 14 - Bulldogs 16 72' TRY BULLDOGS! Frank Pritchard steps off the left foot at the line and pops a ball to Josh Morris to score. Great work from Pritchard, and Bulldogs hit the lead!
Adam
Roar Guru
Live Score: Panthers 14 - Bulldogs 12 71' Penrith attacking the line, Luke Walsh tries to place a grubba into the corner but Reynolds shows great hands to catch it. Reynolds then steps three players to put Bulldogs on the front foot. Tim Grant a bit overzealous coming out of the line gets called for offside and now Bulldogs attacking 30m out.
Adam
Roar Guru
Live Score: Panthers 14 - Bulldogs 12 70' Pritchard on report for the high shot -- not sure he'll have anything to answer for, but there was absolutely no intent. Careless high tackle charge at worst. Simmons leaves the field with concussion. Ten minutes to go and we're back under way.
Adam
Roar Guru
Live Score: Panthers 14 - Bulldogs 12 70' WHOA! Frank Pritchard absolutely cleans up David Simmons with what looked like an early contender for hit of the season. Frank Pritchard picks up the spilled ball and crosses the line, but it's going to be pulled back for a high shot on Simmons -- Pritchard's shoulder contacted the head. Back on the 20m line, David Simmons is still unconscious.
Adam
Roar Guru
Live Score: Panthers 14 - Bulldogs 12 69' James Graham is a machine. Has been the Bulldogs' best tonight. Be excited, Bulldogs fans.
Adam
Roar Guru
Live Score: Panthers 14 - Bulldogs 12 67' Things have settled down here as both teams begin to complete sets and battle for field position. Luke Walsh finds the sideline 20m out from the Bulldogs line and both sides get a breather.
Adam
Roar Guru
Live Score: Panthers 14 - Bulldogs 12 Sweeping backline movement to the right comes undone on the last pass as Brad Tighe fails to handle Luke Lewis' admittedly difficult pass. Bulldogs out of trouble but Penrith looking back on top.
Adam
Roar Guru
Live Score: Panthers 14 - Bulldogs 12 63' Burns puts Clint Newton through a gap -- surely all he needed to do was go to ground to score! Somehow, the Bulldogs hold him up. Panthers try a grubba on the last and manage to get six again.
Adam
Roar Guru
Live Score: Panthers 14 - Bulldogs 12 62' Walsh goes to the air again and Penrith come up with a scrum feed after Josh Morris knocks on. Just quietly, Panthers have looked twice the team since McKendry and Grant came back on the field.
Adam
Roar Guru
Live Score: Panthers 14 - Bulldogs 12 60' Josh Morris breaks down the left side but didn't give himself enough space and Luke Walsh forces him into touch. Panthers get the ball in good field position. Completion rates as they stand are Penrith 27/31, Bulldogs 15/26... hard to believe there's only two points in it.
Toby The Tram
Guest
Especially when he's your fantasy football kicker!
Adam
Roar Guru
Live Score: Panthers 14 - Bulldogs 12 Corey Payne too slow to get up after tackling Tim Grant, gifts Panthers two points right in front of the goal. Luke Walsh kicking now that Gordon is gone... might wanna adjust those fantasy teams, kids.