The race for a spot in the NRL finals is well and truly on heading into the last week of the regular season as the Dragons keep their season alive, defeating the Panthers by two points in Penrith.
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Final score
Penrith Panthers 14
St George Illawarra Dragons 16
The Penrith Panthers are strongly favoured to secure an eighth straight victory when they host a St George Illawarra Dragons side needing a win to keep their season alive. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 4pm AEST.
What a difference a few months can make. The Dragons opened the season with a resounding win over premiership favourites the Panthers, leading many to assume that Penrith were prematurely labelled a contender.
Fast forward to round 24 and the Panthers are surging on the back of seven straight wins that currently has them well in the running to host a home final.
The Dragons meanwhile have faded tremendously after such a promising opening to the season. The Red V currently sit on 11 wins and need a victory today to not only stay in touch with the top eight, but to keep the Canberra Raiders at bay.
In good news for the Dragons, NSW Origin forward Tyson Frizell has been passed fit to play and will take his place in a strong Dragons pack.
The Panthers are still missing Matt Moylan, but Nathan Cleary’s recent run of good form should counteract any loss in potency suffered through Moylan’s absence.
Form wise, Penrith should be expected to account for a Dragons team that has faded significantly. The Panthers win over the Raiders away from home last week was testament to the team’s much improved resolve after such a poor start to the season.
The Dragons, on the other hand, have suffered poor recent defeats to the Newcastle Knights and South Sydney Rabbitohs – two teams not even in the running for a finals berth.
Prediction
Even without Moylan, the Panthers at their best could perhaps end the Dragons premiership aspirations with a win at home. Across the park, they possess a strong mix of power and talent that should prove too much for the Dragons to handle.
Panthers by 12
Scott Pryde
Expert
YEAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH. Don't mind that.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Surprise, surprise - the penny pretenders get beat against a team that is still in the race.... and their record against teams still in the race is now 2-8 (only wins coming against cowboys and manly).
Alan
Roar Guru
» Click here to read the full match report
Joe
Roar Rookie
They just need to win against the Dogs next week to book a place in the finals since Manly are playing Panthers and assuming they don't play out a draw! They have the best for and against of all the teams fighting for 8th spot.
Sham
Guest
While maligned at times hats off to Josh Mcrone did a good job standing in.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Now that's a team playing for their season! What a win by the Dragons. Masterclass from Widdop to close out that game including giving the penalty away to take up time and reset the line. They're still in it!
Alan
Roar Guru
FULLTIME Panthers 14 Dragons 16
Alan
Roar Guru
80' - A kicking exhibition from Widdop! Another repeat set. Sims with the error! 19 secs for the Panthers to produce a miracle! Panthers 14 Dragons 16
Alan
Roar Guru
79' - Superb from the Dragons! Great chip kick and Nightingale forces Blake back into the in-goal! Dragons with another repeat set. Panthers 14 Dragons 16
Alan
Roar Guru
77' - Widdop with the kick and May declared to take the footy dead! Dragons with another repeat set... Panthers 14 Dragons 16
Alan
Roar Guru
76' - Six again for the Dragons.... Panthers 14 Dragons 16
Alan
Roar Guru
75' - Cleary with a bad error at dummy-half! Dragons with a chance to seal the deal and keep their finals hopes alive! This is it. The moment is now for the red v! Panthers 14 Dragons 16
Alan
Roar Guru
74' - Error from the Panthers! Dragons once again hold on! Widdop and Lafai stand tall under pressure! Panthers 14 Dragons 16
Alan
Roar Guru
72' - Huge play here! Kick put forward and Sims gathers possession and offoads to Widdop under immense pressure in the Dragons in-goal! Goodness me! Panthers get the repeat set! Panthers 14 Dragons 16
Alan
Roar Guru
70' - Panthers give away the penalty for a second attempt on Dufty! Ouch. Big call. Dragons off the hook when the Panthers were expecting a repeat set. Panthers 14 Dragons 16
Alan
Roar Guru
69' - This is as good as I have seen the Dragons compete over the past two months or so. Dragons digging deep and giving their all to keep their season alive. Panthers 14 Dragons 16
Alan
Roar Guru
66' - Dragons regaining momentum here. Finals race as it stands will conclude in the final round. Panthers, Cowboys, Sea Eagles and Dragons still with work to do... Panthers 14 Dragons 16
Alan
Roar Guru
64' - Cleary with another grubber and Dufty well positioned defuses the danger and crawls back into the field of play. Dufty proving to be a great find. Dragons get the penalty. Dragons digging deep. Panthers 14 Dragons 16
Alan
Roar Guru
62' - Cleary with the grubber and he secures the repeat set for the Panthers. Dragons defending well though... Panthers 14 Dragons 16
Joe
Roar Rookie
McDonald is having a shocker today.