The Penrith Panthers are heading into finals looking for their fifth win in a row when they face the Manly Sea Eagles in the final game of the 2016 minor rounds. Make sure you join us on The Roar from 6:30pm (AEST) for all the action.
2016 is quickly becoming a breakout year for the Panthers, as a number of their talented youngsters have put their stamp on the competition.
While there was some doubt midway through the season over Penrith’s chances of making the finals, they have won four games in a row to seal their spot.
The Moutain Men have found their groove, with Nathan Cleary and Bryce Cartwright established as a dangerous halves pairing.
Meanwhile, it’s been a roller coaster for Manly. Injuries and suspension have ravaged their campaign, but the second half of the year has been solid, and when they have a fit squad they can be a good team.
Between the Trbojevic brothers and Daly Cherry-Evans, the Manly faithful will be expecting big things in the future, and that could start this week.
In team news, Jeremy Latimore comes in as the replacement for the injured Reagan Campbell-Gillard, and Moses Leota is in on an extended bench for the Panthers.
The Sea Eagles welcome back Dylan Walker and Blake Leary, while Brad Parker and Frank Winterstein drop out.
An interesting battle this week will be between the fullbacks, as two of the most exciting young talents in the league – Matt Moylan and Tom Trbojevic – go head to head.
The record since 1998 is even, but the Sea Eagles have a point to prove after coughing up a 24-point lead to lose their clash with the Panthers earlier this year.
Prediction
Panthers 14 points.
Will the Panthers score an important win heading into finals, or can the Sea Eagles finish their season with a win? Be sure to join us on The Roar from 6:30pm (AEST) to follow all of the action.
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Match Summary The Penrith Panthers will head into the finals full of confidence after they finished off the minor rounds with a convincing 30-point win over the Manly Sea Eagles at Pepper Stadium. A dominant first half helped the Panthers set up a decisive victory that sees them finish the minor rounds in sixth position on the ladder. Looking to head into the finals with their fifth straight win, the Panthers dominated the first half as they shook off a number of early penalties to hit the scoreboard on regular occasions. Matt Moylan made the most of getting plenty of ball in attack as he set up three first half tries with some great passes. Josh Mansour, Bryce Cartwright, Dallin Watene Zelezniak and Peter Wallace all crossed in then opening 27 minutes to open up an early lead. Moylan was well supported by Cartwright who was at his mercurial best for the Panthers with some exciting ball running and passing in attack. A second try to Josh Mansour on half time saw the Panthers head into the break with a sizeable 30-point lead. After an open and free flowing first half, the second was a bit more of a tight affair as Manly managed to tighten up in defence. Waqa Blake scored the Panthers only try for the half in the 45th minute as he sliced through the defence. The Sea Eagles eventually got on the board in the 61st minute when Daly Cherry-Evans found Jake Trbojevic with a nice inside pass and the big forward ran it in to score. One try apiece is how it finished in the second half and this meant the Panthers finished with a 30-point victory. It is onwards and upwards for the Panthers as they look for their sixth win in a row in the first week of the finals against a Canterbury side that has struggled over the past month. For the Sea Eagles, 2016 has been a tough season and the fact that it is over for them means that they can begin building for 2017 and beyond. Votes: 3 Matt Moylan The Panthers fullback was at his best tonight as he racked up three try assists, two tackles breaks, four line break assists, and 131 metres, while his kicking and defence was also good. 2 Bryce Cartwright The Panthers big five-eighth was instrumental in setting up the win tonight as he finished with three tackles breaks, two offloads, one line break, one try assist and 127 metres. 1 Waqa Blake This man was electric tonight as he tallied 139 metres, three line breaks, seven tackle breaks, one try assist and one try.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Geez that stat just sums up the season for Manly. Only Lewis Brown played every game, and he was used as a stop gap for multiple positions. And it's not like we lost players to Origin. Just an horrific injury run. Awful season. But atleast there was a little bit of heart shown. Best of luck to the 8 teams remaining.
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And with that the 2016 NRL minor rounds are finished. A bit of a sluggish second half with nothing really to play for. All in all a great showing by the Panthers. The win sees the Panthers move into sixth to finish the minor rounds, while the Sea Eagles will be happy that their horror season is now done. What did you think of hat game? Where to for the Sea Eagles for next year? Are the Panthers a real premiership threat? Click here for the full match report Thanks for joining me tonight, make sure you stay tuned for my match summary and votes. Be sure to keep visiting The Roar throughout the finals for some great coverage.
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FULL TIME Penrith throw it around in attack. Cleary grubbers and then Tom Trbojevic comes up with a line break and goes to Penrith's 30. Tom Trbojevic then tries to kick to the corner but Mansour deflects it into touch and that is full time. Panthers 36 Sea Eagles 6
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'78 Manly take it to half way but then come up with an error after a poor pass from dummy half on the last. Penrith scrum on half way. Panthers 36 Sea Eagles 6
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'77 The Panthers come up with a line break in the middle and Peachey tries to pass it but it is knocked down and then here is a scramble as the ball is moved towards the Panthers attacking try line. Eventually Peachey jumps on it score and it goes to the bunker as a no try as they find a knock on. Manly scrum on their own 15. Panthers 36 Sea Eagles 6
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'76 Manly make solid metres to get to the Panthers 40. Cherry-Evans bombs and Moylan takes it and gives to Mansour who gets to the 25. Panthers 36 Sea Eagles 6
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'74 Wright bombs from half way and Moylan takes it and gives to Mansour who gets it to the 30. Penrith go down into the Sea Eagles half and they almost get away down the left but Hardaker loses it. Manly scrum on their own 20. Panthers 36 Sea Eagles 6
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'73 Cartwright attempts to grubber but Cherry-Evans deflects it and cleans it up on his own 10. Panthers 36 Sea Eagles 6
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'72 Manly try to run it on the last and it ends up in touch. Panthers scrum on their own 30. Panthers 36 Sea Eagles 6
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'71 Bainbridge on for his debut. Cleary grubbers and om Trbojevic cleans it up and gets it to the 10. Panthers 36 Sea Eagles 6
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'69 Penrith get to Manly's 40. Moylan bombs and Parker comes up with a knock on. Panthers scrum 10 out in attack. Panthers 36 Sea Eagles 6
Planko
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Go Billy
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'67 Cherry-Evans kicks from half way and it bounces into touch. Penrith scrum on their own 20. Panthers 36 Sea Eagles 6
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'66 Penrith get just over half way. Cleary bombs but Tom Trbojevic is there to take it on his own 10. Panthers 36 Sea Eagles 6
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'65 Manly attack the line. They attempt to run it on the last but come up with a forward pass. Penrith ball on their own 5. Panthers 36 Sea Eagles 6
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'64 Manly follow up their try with huge metres thanks to a line break from Taupau. They get within 20 and then the Panthers come u with a knock on in defence. New set for Manly 10 out in attack. Panthers 36 Sea Eagles 6
Planko
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Who else but one of T boys
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'62 TRY SEA EAGLES Manly get on the board thanks to an offload from Cherry-Evans to Jake Trbojevic who slides over to score. Wright nails it from in front. Panthers 36 Sea Eagles 6
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'60 Manly win a penalty for a high shot. They will start 35 out in attack. Panthers 36 Sea Eagles 0