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The Penrith Panthers have put in one of the most complete performances of the season to come away from the top of the table clash as the victors, with all the spoils.
Such was the dominance for the home side, that they have managed to not just win, but win in a manner that sees them finish the round at the top of the table.
Nathan Cleary scored the opening try in the first half, but the home side only went to the break 8-0 up, with just the one try essentially separating the two sides.
The second half changed entirely in complexion though when Ben Hunt, having a quiet night already, left the field with a heavily strapped right thigh, having suffered a cork injury that ended his night early. St George Illawarra never really recovered from that loss in the halves.
Instead, Penrith ramped up the energy and intensity, and controlled the rest of the game, whether with or without the ball. That the Panthers scored two of their three second half tries through Viliame Kikau and Reagan Campbell-Gillard was emblematic of the sheer forward domination of the home side. Christian Crichton also helping himself to a second half try.
To add further insult to injury, Jack De Belin left the field early himself, seeming to also suffer from the corking curse.
So the Panthers have put down a marker to the rest of the competition as to the standard that will be required to win this competition this year. With no tries and line breaks conceded, this Panthers machine will be a hard team to beat if they can continue to play like this.
To further confirm this team’s performance tonight, it is doubtful that any team this year having their best day would have bettered this Penrith team.
The record crowd of 21,565 added to the spectacle of rugby league at not quite its finest, but absolutely at its fiercest.
Final score
Penrith Panthers 28
St George Illawarra Dragons 2
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