The Panthers led 8-nil and looked comfortable in the opening half before losing control of a match they would go on to lose by 28 points against a very committed Rabbitohs outfit.
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Final score
South Sydney Rabbitohs 42
Penrith Panthers 14
The Penrith Panthers are coming off a tough defeat to the Cowboys last week and need to get back into the winner’s circle against the South Sydney Rabbitohs. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 4pm AEST.
Penrith’s recent winning momentum has come to a halt after succumbing to a North Queensland side minus Johnathon Thurston up in Townsville.
The Panthers remain in the hunt for a top eight birth, but really need to start stringing wins together if they are to give themselves a chance of pulling off an unlikely premiership triumph.
Today, they face off against a Rabbitohs outfit that has struggled all season since the tragic season-ending injury to superstar fullback Greg Inglis in the opening round.
Needing a win to stay in touch with the top eight, the Panthers really should get the job done this afternoon against a side not in contention for finals football.
With that said, the Panthers have underperformed for the majority of the season and can ill-afford to let hubris get the better of them on a day where two competition points is a must for last season’s NRL semi-finalists.
If the Bunnies wish to cause a significant upset, shutting down Matt Moylan is a must. Moylan’s form has improved significantly over the past five weeks or so, culminating in a decisive performance against the Canberra Raiders a few weeks back that allowed his team to secure victory against all the odds.
Prediction
If the Panthers are able to skip out to an early lead, this match could get ugly for the bunnies. The longer the game stays close however, the more likely the Rabbitohs will pull off a significant upset.
With still everything to play for though, the Panthers should get the job done comfortably.
Panthers by 16
Rellum
Roar Guru
+ BRL
Alan
Roar Guru
The Panthers led 8 nil and looked comfortable in the opening half before losing control of a match they would go on to lose by 28 points against a very committed Rabbitohs outfit. From the moment Moylan produced a shocking pass for Johnston to race away and score, the bunnies seized momentum and went on to score 42 unanswered points in a superb effort from the 2014 premiers. Johnston in particular had a night to remember, scoring five tries. Bunnies stars Sam Burgess and Adam Reynolds also pitched in with very strong performances. This is just the confidence boost the bunnies needed as we head into the final stage of the season. The Rabbitohs are now on six wins and within touching distance of a top eight birth provided they go on a strong winning run, beginning next week against the Roosters. If they can replicate the form and intensity they showed today, the Rabbitohs will give themselves every chance of booking an unlikely finals birth. As for the Panthers, their underwhelming season hit a new low this afternoon, and like the Raiders before them, look set to miss out on finals football after many pundits tipped them for glory at the beginning of the season. If Penrith hope to revive their campaign, beating Manly next week at home now is a must. Rabbitohs 42 Panthers 14
Cugel
Roar Rookie
Well yes, but it's all first grade, so no difference between NSWRFL, NSWRL, ARL, SL, and NRL.
Alan
Roar Guru
Penrith attack down the right. Kick ahead for Mansour and the winger scores an easy try! Not much to celebrate though. Mansour with career try no. 50 though so that's a good effort. CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL FULLTIME Rabbitohs 42 Panthers 14
Alan
Roar Guru
TRY PANTHERS Rabbitohs 42 Panthers 12
Rellum
Roar Guru
McIndoe scored 5 for Illawara against the Gold Coast in the early 90's.
Alan
Roar Guru
76' - Edwards with a big break for the Panthers. Penrith on the attack. Burgess with a great chase. Sam has been on fire tonight. Penalty to the bunnies now. Rabbitohs 42 Panthers 8
Alan
Roar Guru
74' - Great boost to the bunnies points differential this result. South Sydney now with genuine hope of perhaps forcing their way into the eight by season's end. Confidence will be high after this effort. Rabbitohs 42 Panthers 8
Alan
Roar Guru
72' - Penrith fans must have turned their TV sets off by now. Not good enough. Panthers also host Manly next week. Doesn't get any easier for the mountain men. Rabbitohs repel another poor attacking set. Rabbitohs 42 Panthers 8
Alan
Roar Guru
69' - Penrith secure another repeat set but the bunnies enjoying themselves here. Penrith led 8 nil by the way. They have conceded 42 points unanswered since... Rabbitohs 42 Panthers 8
Alan
Roar Guru
67' - Gray knocks on and the Panthers back in possession. Surely the bunnies have to go down their left to Johnston. History beckons for the bunnies winger.. Rabbitohs 42 Panthers 8
Alan
Roar Guru
NO TRY RABBITOHS Penalty to the bunnies though... Rabbitohs 42 Panthers 8
Alan
Roar Guru
66' - Gee Johnston in for no. 6??? Video referee Rabbitohs 42 Panthers 8
Alan
Roar Guru
Cugel, So since the inception of the NRL competition, no one has scored six tries in an NRL match if you get my drift correct? Johnston would be the first yes? 64' - Bunnies on the attack yet again as Penrith begin to implode. Mansour all over the shop with his hands. Rabbitohs 42 Panthers 8
Alan
Roar Guru
Rabbitohs face the Roosters next week and on form should fancy their chances of winning that one. And all of a sudden, the bunnies could be on seven wins and within touching distance of a top eight birth! Great result considering they are missing a true great in Inglis. Long way to go but this win over Penrith should kickstart something special... Rabbitohs 42 Panthers 8
Alan
Roar Guru
So much for my prediction of Penrith by sixteen points today...pie on my face big time. Didn't see this coming from the bunnies today. Penrith have hit rock bottom after winning four in a row just a few weeks ago. Rabbitohs 42 Panthers 8
Cugel
Roar Rookie
There's been eight instances of six in a game, the last one in 1950. I can remember Ken Nagas getting a six in the WCC in 1997 . There's been one eight, Frank Burge in 1920 and a seven, Rod O'Loan in 1935
steveng
Roar Rookie
fenomenal try from the mighty Johnston
Alan
Roar Guru
Johnston uses his speed yet again out wide to race away and score his fifth try of the night! Yep five tries for Johnston! What's the record overall for tries scored by an individual in one match??? Gee though Panthers defenders were made to look slow.... CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL Rabbitohs 42 Panthers 8
Alan
Roar Guru
TRY RABBITOHS Rabbitohs 40 Panthers 8