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.
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Final score
St George Illawarra Dragons 2
Penrith Panthers 28
The Penrith Panthers are flying high at the precipice of the summit of the top of the table and one of two in-form teams in the competition, and they welcome the only team that sits above them this season, the other in form team, the St George Illawarra Dragons. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:35pm (AEST).
At the beginning of the season, if you had your money on the top of the table match occurring this round, you would have likely pencilled in the Broncos vs Eels match that was played on Thursday night.
However, while those two teams scrap to make the top eight (or even win a game), instead, it is two teams that little was expected from who are battling for ladder topping supremacy.
The Panthers it must be said have been workmanlike this season, but the thing about a good workman is that they get things done: no frills, nothing fancy, they just go about their business and do what needs to be done.
It is no surprise that the Panthers are playing the way they are, given that the NSW Blues five-eighth incumbent is steering the team around the park, and with the added spark of starlet Nathan Cleary.
The Dragons meanwhile, this was supposed to be the re-build year. If they finished above the bottom four was going to be a success story. They managed to win during March and April, but after that, this team was supposed to run out of puff and fold.
Not so. In fact, the Dragons are playing with a discipline and execution that the merger club has not seen in abundance, not even during their premiership year of 2010.
While the backline for the Dragons doesn’t exactly get the pulse racing, it’s in the halves that you realise just how potent they are, with the experience and skill of Ben Hunt and Gareth Widdop more than a fair match up for their opposing halves.
The Dragons are a team built on forward power, with the bulldozing, but still agile, weaponry of Frizell, De Belin, Vaughan, Sims, and Graham who can run, run hard, and keep the ball moving, and all of whom (the Englishman aside) are in the Origin conversation.
If not for the blistering and untouchable form of Damian Cook, you’d almost think Cameron McInnes was a near certainty for an Origin call up himself.
This is a match that is going to be decided on attack, and who can make the most of their chances, because these two, to date this season, are the best in the defensive business.
The Panthers having conceded 166 points, the Dragons only 164, so given that these two teams know how to keep teams out, it may well come down to which halves pairing can be the smartest that will win the day.
Add in the little issue of Origin selection, with the Panthers pairing having something to prove, and this match has the ingredients for being everything you want in football.
It should be a ripper!
Prediction
Do I back the Dragons because they are on top, or the Panthers because they are at home? 1 vs 2, and it is a close call. I will tip the Dragons, because they have continually proven the ability to win in any circumstances, though I will probably change my mind about 50 times during the game as to who I think will get the job done.
Dragons by 1.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of the match from 7:35pm (AEST) and don’t forget to add your own comments in the section below.
Emcie
Roar Guru
Ah, fair enough, thought the announcement was tomorrow for some reason
Scott Pryde
Expert
Talking points will be up Emcie yeah. Team announcements are Monday. And yes Ken
Matt
Guest
Shoddy form against all the other top 4 teams, Dragons. Gone and fooled us all yet again, you tricksters.
perry cox
Roar Guru
Thanks MC - my absolute pleasure. :) Great game to call really. Penrith were out of this world.
Albo
Guest
Now that was a sweet win for the Panthers, all based on the power of their pack . They did not allow one line break , defence was strong all night, and they continue to develop their attacking options. Isaah Yeo the best on field for mine.
perry cox
Roar Guru
Agreed Simon. The scoreline doesn't represent the intensity of the competition. Different game if Ben Hunt stays on - maybe not a different result, but certainly a different game.
Simon
Guest
I enjoyed that. Really high class footy in front of a packed out crowd at the foot of the mountains
Emcie
Roar Guru
Thanks for the call Karlo, great work
Emcie
Roar Guru
Still doing a talking points this week mate or are the team announcements going to take your spot?
perry cox
Roar Guru
Full Time 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. Penrith Panthers: 28 St George Illawarra Dragons: 2
eagleJack
Roar Guru
In all honestly has there really been many series that haven’t been competitive?
KenoathCarnt
Guest
Are you commentating on the champions league final?
Emcie
Roar Guru
Well that was pretty comprehensive by the Panthers, I was certainly expecting it to be a lot closer
Scott Pryde
Expert
Ah jeez.
Emcie
Roar Guru
I don't think Scott's ruled out yet. He can still fight the charge
KenoathCarnt
Guest
Looks like they are heading on the downwards pattern.
perry cox
Roar Guru
Try 80' - Cleary nearly over again. Instead, Rega Campbell-Gillard gets the finisher. Panthers have routed the dragons here tonight. Kick from Egan, under the posts, bam, complete win and performance from the home side. Penrith Panthers: 26 St George Illawarra Dragons: 2
Emcie
Roar Guru
haha, unfortunately I havn't managed to get a selfie with anyone famous so it'll have to do ;)
KenoathCarnt
Guest
Lol Matt Scott ruled out of origin 1 if NSW do not win it this year they are beyond a joke. No Gillete,McGuire,Cronk,Thurston,Smith Haha my word o well at least it will be more competitive I guess.
perry cox
Roar Guru
78' - Panthers remaining clinical in their execution. Strong set of six out of defence, and they are still up past the attacking 40m line. Then that shift left, and Dragons are clasping at air. Dufty does well to get into the field of play there. Penrith Panthers: 22 St George Illawarra Dragons: 2