The Wests Tigers have scored an important win to keep themselves in touch with the top eight after defeating Penrith 34-26 in a high scoring game at ANZ Stadium tonight.
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There were errors by both teams mixed in with some entertaining end to end attack. The Tigers scored six tries to four and deserved their win.
Both teams traded early penalty goals before the Panthers scored tries in quick succession to skip out to a 14-2 lead after 23 minutes. Josh Mansour leapt acrobatically to score the first in the corner, before James Fisher-Harris scored under the posts after Tyrone Peachey batted back a last tackle Panthers’ bomb.
From there, it was all the Wests Tigers in the first half as they raced in 4 tries. Centre Tim Simona crossed twice (including an intercept), while Ava Seumanufagai and David Nofoaluma also scored.
In the second half, the Tigers continued where they left off, with Jordan Rankin and Robbie Farah crossing for tries to take the Tigers out to an unassailable 34-14 lead. The Panthers restored some respectability to the scoreboard with late tries to Trent Merrin and Isaah Yeo.
The Tigers backline attacked well tonight, with James Tedesco once again staking a strong claim for inclusion in the Blues’ State of Origin 3 team.
Prop Sam McKendry went off early for the Panthers with what looks like a serious knee injury. The loss sees Penrith slip out of the top 8 on for and against.
Final score
Tigers 34
Panthers 26
Stats
Try scorers (Wests Tigers): Tim Simona (2), Ava Seumanufagai, David Nofoaluma, Jordan Rankin, Robbie Farah
Top metres gained (Wests Tigers): David Nofoaluma (182), Tim Simona (139), James Tedesco (133)
Top tacklers (Wests Tigers): Elijah Taylor (39), Aaron Woods (30)
Try scorers (Penrith): Josh Mansour, James Fisher-Harris, Trent Merrin, Isaah Yeo
Top metres gained (Penrith): Josh Mansour (245), Dallin Watene- Zelezniak (168), Trent Merrin (160)
Top tacklers (Penrith): Trent Merrin (38), Isaah Yeo (29)
The Roar’s NRL MVP
3 – James Tedesco (Tigers). Should have cemented a spot in the Blues State of Origin team for game 3 with 2 try assists and 133 metres in attack, along with being safe at the back.
2 – Josh Mansour (Penrith). Made over 200 metres in attack for the Panthers and scored an acrobatic try.
1 – Chris Lawrence (Tigers). A try assist, 120 metres in attack and 28 tackles shows once again that his move into the backrow was a good career move.
Richard
Guest
Morris boys have to be there..
Mike the Oz
Guest
Why is this a surprise. Ive watched over both games. Moylan drops kicks, should have at least been in the frame of a few Qld tries and is a lightweight in attack and defence. Don't bore me with club form. Origin is rarefied air and he hasn't cut it. As a Qlder I can tell you Tedesco, Frizell, Dugon...these guys have it. Moylan does not. He might get there. But not for a while. Bit like DCE.
Bluey
Guest
As Belcher said during the commentary Cartwright was playing out of position whereas if he was playing in his usual role he wouldn't be exposed like that.
toputz
Guest
I am sick of reading NSW team list posted here. Why cant you clowns send your NSW team list to the selectors??
Blitzen
Guest
Don't mind this team at all Meathead. I know Croker has his critics but he rarely plays a bad game (And I hate the Raiders). His defence could be a concern but he does enough week in week and if Joey and Bennett said he's worthy, give him a jumper. James Roberts has slacked off this year, very disappointing.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
That's not a team, it's a turnstile showroom.
Chris
Guest
I would go Moylan Morris Morris J Bird Mansour BBQ Reynolds Woods Peats Fifita Jackson Cordner Graham Klemmer Tedesco Frizell Cartwright Tedesco of the bench with his size and speed in the middle with tiring forwards. With this team if a back when down no probly. Forwards are covered. Half are the best NSW have
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Every year the Blues are losing there's some narrative about how a certain player in one of the spine positions needs to be picked; last year everyone was banging the Blake Austin glockenspiel and now it's Tedesco. Realistically he's playing well in some low intensity and poor quality games. Also yesterdays performance from Cartwright ought to silence people who are demanding blood for his omission, between lazy defence and poor decision making he looked like a reserve grader at best.
Meathead
Guest
2017 team (hopefully without Daley as coach). 1. Tedesco 2. Trbojevic 3. Croker 4. Leluia 5. Mansour 6. J Bird 7. (TBC) 8. Woods 9. Peats 10. James 11. Frizell 12. Cordner 13. Jackson (c) 14. Fafita 15. Klemmer 16. Cartwright 17. Moylan
Baracuda
Guest
The Panthers are still a quality side and will sit 9th after the weekend if the Dragons lose to manly. Don't worry about byes, when the regular season finishes you will understand that byes have zero bearing on the ladder because it effectively gifts every team 4 points to their tally. It's what you do on the field that counts...
Plates
Guest
Sorry, but Teddy shouldn't get picked for game 3. Daley should stick to the same side as game 2, drop Frizell and Bird and replace with Graham and Josh Morris. Yes, I'm crazy...but think about it. Many people called for the inclusion of Tedesco, Frizell and Bird after game 1 (before the suspensions and injuries). Daley choose not to take that option..... He can suffer the consequences of a possible 3-0 romp.
PNG Broncos fan88
Roar Guru
Hope they don't make it and the Tigers take that 8 spot come rnd26. Karma for ditching Segey & Soward, who took them a win away from the 2014 GF.
Con Scortis
Roar Guru
If Teddy is picked it must be at fullback. He would be wasted on the wing, especially if Dugan and Jennings are in the centres. Those two aren't known for their passing, so it may be a quiet night for Teddy on the wing.
Ray
Roar Rookie
That loss leaves the Panthers vulnerable in terms of making the 8. They have already had both byes, and they have to play top 8 teams for the next 4 weeks.
Bluey
Guest
Surely Teddy' done enough for a shot at Origin ... surely! This kid is Slater-like with his speed and some of the runs he does.
Blues
Guest
If Tedescco is chosen and they win game 3, Daley keeps his job. After another series failure, he should be gone regardless. Yes he won in 2014 but had QLD had a fit Cronk for game 1 and 2, it may not have even happened. Tedesco is that good, he's the key if the Tigers ever want to get close back towards winning a the comp.