The Sydney Roosters will look to build on their first win of the season over the Penrith Panthers at Allianz Stadium on Monday night. Join us for all the action, live on The Roar from 7pm (AEST).
The Roosters finally got on the board for 2016 last week, led by the inspirational Dylan Napa they beat the Rabbitohs into submission early and got a well-deserved win. The Panthers meanwhile kept the trend of heart-stoppers going, falling to the Cowboys by 5 points, a game that could have easily gone to golden point, or been won by the Panthers.
In team news, the Roosters lose Sio Siua Taukeiaho through injury with Mitchell Frei onto the bench, they are otherwise unchanged. The Panthers have an extended bench that includes Elijah Tayor and Tyrone Peachey, I would expect Taylor to drop off as he has for most weeks, much to the frustration of Panthers fans, Peachey may make the 17.
The Roosters were solid last week against the Rabbitohs. It was the aggression and desire that got them over the line and it was summed up by Dylan Napa who pulled off some incredible shots in an outstanding 80 minute performance. The Rabbitohs though it has to be said were very flat, they looked bereft of ideas in attack and just didn’t have the attitude to match the Roosters after creaming them in Round 1.
The Panthers took it to the premiers in Penrith, they jumped out to a 10-point lead and after a lead change managed to get out to a 6-point lead in the second half only to be run down late. They had two chances to square or win the match late with Mansour bundled into touch and Soward missing wide of the posts with his field goal attempt. A late try saw them go down by 5.
Both teams positions on the ladder tell a somewhat misleading story. The Panthers have had an opportunity to win each of their 6 matches but have just two wins to show for it. The Roosters meanwhile were perhaps robbed by a bunker call against the Sea Eagles and lost it in golden point against the Warriors in Gosford.
This match will be all about the desperation and desire. It is early days but it is still a must-win for these two sides. The Panthers are just about the best side out of the eight at the moment, and have perhaps been better than a couple of sides in it, they just have fallen agonisingly short too many times. They cannot afford to be complacent, they have to be professional and clinical, they need to find the experience to put a side away.
The Roosters need a fast start. The Panthers do know how to play from behind and score points when they need to, they came from behind against the Eels and are always in the contest late. The Roosters don’t want to have the lottery of the Panthers within a try late in the game because depending on which side turns up they may find the points at the death to clinch it.
Prediction
On form the Panthers should have this 13+ but they need to string some performances together before I can tip them at that margin. They should get it done against a Roosters side that is still very inexperienced and missing some class.
Panthers by 7.
Join us for the commentary live on The Roar from 7pm (AEST)
mariachi band fan
Guest
Just as long as they keep picking him for NSW I'll be happy.
Cugel
Roar Rookie
First to last - c'mon Rorters, let's make it happen.
Jack Aubrey
Roar Guru
The Panthers with some real clinical play to jag another close win. Soward just kept the Roosters on the rack in the last 10 after it looked like they might give it away. It was a tense game despite the awful conditions and both sides had their chances to win it. The Panthers kept getting out to good leads but the Roosters just kept coming at the them. It was typified with Latrell Mitchell's 2nd try as the Roosters just kept offloading until he got through to get them within 4 and they looked like they were coming to get the Panthers. The Panthers will just be happy to get a win after some close games. For the Panthers Latu was a standout with some of his carries, along with the kicking game of Soward. Cartwright and Moylan were quieter in attack than usual, with Cartwright having plenty of tackles to make. The Roosters young brigade should be proud. Latrell Mitchell in particular was fantastic for an 18 year old. Hastings and Nikorima are both going to be better for having a more experienced playmaker beside them. The Roosters will look to build next week in their inaugural ANZAC day clash against the Dragons. The Panthers meanwhile will have to be better against a hot Sharks outfit at Shark Park. ROAR MVP 3- Jamie Soward: the game was won off the back of his kicking game. Two 40/20 attempts that resulted in drop outs. In the last 10 minutes he got another 3. It was control that would be the envy of any playmaker. While his defence could have been much better he made up for it. 2- Latrell Mitchell: needs plenty of plaudits for his contribution at such a young age. 2 tries, 2 line breaks and 130m as well a few offloads. Added plenty in attack. 1- Leilani Latu: had a great first half with nearly 150m. Was the hardest runner for the Panthers and justified his starting position. Finished with 222m and some good tackles too. That is all for the Roar tonight. Join us on Friday for the next lot of NRL action with the Rabbitohs travelling to Suncorp to take on the Broncos.
GTW
Guest
Well the ball went into his breadbasket, he just couldn't catch it.
Jacksyd
Guest
of course it was, its the roosters
Griffo
Guest
Don't think you can go for goal from a differential penalty
GTW
Guest
That Dan Tupou is close to the worst player in the NRL. He just can't do anything right, and seems to not care at all. Thank God he's not in my team, and whoever picked him for a rep jersey must be so embarrassed.
Zedman
Roar Rookie
Kicking in the wet to Tupou's wing is hilarious.
Jack Aubrey
Roar Guru
80' The Panthers make the mistake. The Roosters have to go 80m. They throw it around and Hatings kicks but Tupou knocks on. Panthers win it. FULLTIME Panthers 20 Roosters 16
Jack Aubrey
Roar Guru
79' The Roosters work it away and spread it. Evans with a big run but loses it in the tackle. Inside the final 2 and if Panthers play it right the Roosters won't get the ball. Penalty Panthers. It is a differential penalty which means goal kick? Panthers 20 Roosters 16
Jack Aubrey
Roar Guru
78' Just hitting it up now. They go wide and it goes to ground but they regather. The 5th and Wallace tries to go over but can't get there. Panthers will have to defend to win it. Panthers 20 Roosters 16
Jack Aubrey
Roar Guru
76' Hiku runs along way and it tackled. Merrin with another carry and it is a carbon copy and McKendry tries to get over. Soward gets yet another drop out and they have to score now. 3 minutes to go. Panthers 20 Roosters 16
Jack Aubrey
Roar Guru
75' Merrin nearly carries a Rooster over and now McKendry nearly barges over. Soward with another kick for a drop out. Panthers 20 Roosters 16
Jack Aubrey
Roar Guru
74' Panthers 20 out, Soward kicks back towards the posts for Moylan who can't get there but makes the tackle and it is the 8th drop out of the night. Panthers 20 Roosters 16
Jack Aubrey
Roar Guru
73' Roosters escape from jail and work it away, Moylan was in and the pass, considering what we see every week was not forward. Friend gets it away under pressure and the Panthers will start from their 40 Panthers 20 Roosters 16
eagleJack
Roar Guru
They let 100 obvious forward passes go every weekend. Then tend to call the one's that are line ball. That was a try imo
Jack Aubrey
Roar Guru
71' Panthers bring it back with McKendry. They need a result here. Merrin with a strong charge. Martin takes a tackle. Peachey searching back against the grain who finds Moylan!! Forward pass. Terrible call. Panthers 20 Roosters 16
Jack Aubrey
Roar Guru
70' The Panthers string some risky passes together and get within 20. Soward chips it over and Nikorima bats it dead. Drop out to the Panthers Panthers 20 Roosters 16
Jack Aubrey
Roar Guru
69' The Roosters with it. They are running it strongly again but their is some good defence by Cartwright. They go high as always and Moylan brings it back. Panthers 20 Roosters 16
Jack Aubrey
Roar Guru
68' The Panthers get it back into the Roosters 30. Now they muck it up in the play the ball with Campbell-Gillard. They are doing their best to lose it now the Panthers. Panthers 20 Roosters 16