The Canterbury Bulldogs bounced back into form against Cronulla on Monday but now face a much tougher assignment against a Penrith Panthers side capable of challenging the very best. Join us for live scores and commentary from 4.30pm AEDT.
Despite losing by one point to Melbourne last week, the Panthers’ performances in the opening two rounds of the competition suggest they are a solid bet of making the finals this season.
Their forwards are rolling forward nicely and their halves are providing some much-needed direction in attack.
Peter Wallace has been very impressive in the opening two rounds for Penrith and seems to be forming a nice attacking partnership with young fullback Matt Moylan.
Although he missed a penalty after the siren to win the game last week, Wallace should not be too down on himself. He is playing great football and should approach the match against the Bulldogs with plenty of confidence.
Backline stars such as Jamal Idris and Kevin Naiqama were also impressive last week and will need to be kept in check by the Bulldogs today.
Canterbury are coming off a convincing win over a Cronulla outfit that had plenty of quality on the sidelines. In short, the Bulldogs did what was expected of them against very weakened opposition.
Now a much bigger test awaits away from home against a Panthers side playing with plenty of confidence.
Penrith’s narrow loss to Melbourne last week proves they possess the physicality and skill to trouble the Bulldogs today.
Prediction
While the Bulldogs at their best are certainly capable of winning, Penrith at the moment just look like a team on the rise, and that rise should continue against Canterbury this afternoon.
Panthers by 10.
jon
Guest
Josh Reynolds is the next Brad Fittler
jon
Guest
I knew Penny's would score
Alan
Roar Guru
The Panthers have secured a remarkable win here after producing a forgettable second half to be honest. The Bulldogs looked on course for victory after scoring two second half tries to hit the lead. The Panthers though hit back just in time late in the second half after Williams gave away a costly penalty late in the game that allowed the Panthers to attack. From there, Soward set up Naiqama who scored in the corner. Moylan then stepped up to seal a great win with a conversion from the sideline. Panthers secure their second win of the season but they need to improve if they hope to challenge the very best. Thank you for your company tonight. Panthers 18 Bulldogs 16
Leroy Loggins
Guest
The only thing better than watching the Mighty Roostets win is watching the Bulldogs lose.
Alan
Roar Guru
Great cut-out pass from Soward to find Naiqama who stepped back inside to score in the corner!!! Moylan with the conversion attempt to win the match..... CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!! FULLTIME!!!!! Panthers 18 Bulldogs 16
Alan
Roar Guru
TRY PANTHERS - Bulldogs holding on for dear life! Panthers with a chance to snatch victory. Naiqama scores the winner surely!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Panthers 16 Bulldogs 16
Alan
Roar Guru
78' - Costly high tackle by Williams here. Panthers get another penalty and they can go on and win this...... Panthers 12 Bulldogs 16
Alan
Roar Guru
I think Thurston plays no. 6 Barry.... 77' - Morris with a grubber now and Moylan gathers possession very well. Penrith running out of time! Simmons hit high and the Panthers get a much needed penalty Panthers 12 Bulldogs 16
Alan
Roar Guru
76' - Penrith have really missed Wallace in the second half. Big time. Bulldogs with a great set. Idris with a grubber to no one now and the Bulldogs back with the footy Panthers 12 Bulldogs 16
Alan
Roar Guru
74' - Williams gets to the loose ball here as the Panthers attack falls apart again with a very poor pass. Gee Penrith very poor. Panthers 12 Bulldogs 16
Alan
Roar Guru
Finucane stripped one on one here! Penrith on the attack! Huge moment Panthers 12 Bulldogs 16
Alan
Roar Guru
73' - Soward kicks and he finds touch. Not a bad kick under pressure. Bulldogs though with all the momentum Panthers 12 Bulldogs 16
The Barry
Roar Guru
There's been so much garbage in the last fortnight that the Bulldogs don't have any halves. Josh Reynolds is brilliant. He does it all...ball player, 40/20's, back up player, best ball-running 6 in the comp, big D and an absolute win at all costs attitude. Wouldn't swap him for any 6 in the comp...
Alan
Roar Guru
72' - Penrith with only four completions in the second half. Not good enough after such a quality first half from the home side. This game threatens to undo all the good work from the opening two matches for Penrith. Hodkinson goes high and Simmons gathers possession Panthers 12 Bulldogs 16
Alan
Roar Guru
Gee what a turnaround this has been! Reynolds superb again as he gets on the outside of Idris and Naiqama before finding Low who scores in the corner! CONVERSION MISSED Panthers 12 Bulldogs 16
Alan
Roar Guru
TRY BULLDOGS - Low scores down the right side!!!!! Panthers 12 Bulldogs 16
Alan
Roar Guru
Simmons loses the footy now!!! Bulldogs with a chance to hit the lead. Penrith with a very poor second half after producing a quality first half Panthers 12 Bulldogs 12
Alan
Roar Guru
Great conversion from Hodkinson who I believe is yet to miss a kick this season. Bulldogs now with the spring in their step. Penrith have hardly attacked in the second half thanks to some poor errors. They pay the price. Game on. 68' - Thompson knocks on and the Panthers with a chance to regain the lead. They have been very scrappy in the second half Panthers 12 Bulldogs 12
Alan
Roar Guru
Good play from Reynolds down the short side after Morris made the break. Reynolds found Thompson unmarked and the Bulldogs back in the game! CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL Panthers 12 Bulldogs 12
Alan
Roar Guru
TRY BULLDOGS - Morris now is away but he fails to get the footy away. Reynolds now finds Thompson who scores!!!!! Panthers 12 Bulldogs 10