Round 15 of the NRL season continues this Friday evening as the Sydney Roosters square off against the Penrith Panthers in what is arguably the match of the round. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 7:55pm AEST.
For teams to be up the pointy end of the NRL ladder, they need to win the close games.
Both these teams have made that into an art form over the past few rounds, with the Roosters beating the Tigers and Knights by 2 points and the Panthers beating the Raiders courtesy of a Nathan Cleary field goal.
Both teams find themselves well up the ladder and both conceivably could win the premiership.
While the Roosters haven’t been winning easy in recent weeks, they have been gradually improving.
Cooper Cronk seems to have found his groove which is allowing Luke Keary to play a very attacking game, feeding a backline featuring Tedesco, Mitchell and Ferguson.
Boyd Cordner is back from a weekend off after Origin with Siosiua Taukeiaho going back to the bench.
But for a one-point for-and-against differential, the Panthers would be sitting on top of the ladder leading into this weekend.
With 10 wins and 3 losses, they have just about booked their ticket into September. This has largely been on the back of the go-forward generated by the pack, led by Reagan Campbell-Gillard.
This has allowed James Maloney and Nathan Cleary to dictate terms and they are clearly the form halves combination in the NRL.
The Panthers are largely unchanged from last weekend, with Jack Hetherington replacing Viliame Kikau on the interchange, with Kikau succumbing to a knee injury.
Prediction
The recent head to head is tight, with the Roosters winning the last clash early in 2017.
The battle of the forwards and halves will decide this one. Whilst the Roosters have improved in recent weeks, the Panthers have got something special going on this year and I expect them to win in a tight game.
Panthers by 4
Renegade
Roar Guru
Lol I hate the dragons ?
Last Straw
Guest
Roosters fan for 54 years, but seeing Peachey in the shed with Latrell won me. Go Roosters, Go Panthers, Go Blues.
Clint
Guest
Cheers David. Roosters still seem clunky in attack which is a scary thing because if they click they could potentially put some big scores on. Panthers defence I thought was actually pretty good for most of the game. Their attack was off though. Jimmy had an off night and I could be wrong but I think Cleary went quiet after Latrell went off. He looked pretty concerned and I think being involved in an incident like that shakes you up a bit.
KenoathCarnt
Guest
I guess when it happens to the Dragons it's the refs fault? Or are you just salty.
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
I could see that coming from a mile away. We were due for a flogging. Roosters dominated from kick-off. Props to Dean Whare tonight, our best for mine. Cleary and Maloney offered next to nothing in the 1st half.
Brian Jones
Guest
A statement from the Roosters, ot the Panthers capitulating?
David Holden
Roar Guru
agreed, you don't see a sin binned player sitting in the opposition dressing room often. Good to see Mitchell sitting up and hoping he is good for Origin
David Holden
Roar Guru
yes, there will be a conspiracy call from those north of the border!
David Holden
Roar Guru
well, they knocked over the Dragons but, I agree, they were well beaten tonight
David Holden
Roar Guru
What were your thoughts, Roarers?
David Holden
Roar Guru
FT Roosters have announced themselves as a premiership force tonight with a comprehensive 32-6 win over the Panthers. The Roosters forwards, led by Waerea-Hargreaves and Cordner, made up for the early loss of Napa and dominated their Penrith counterparts, who lost Campbell-Gillard half way through the first 40. The domination through the middle led to a large field position advantage for the Roosters and their backs, led by Cronk and Keary, were good enough to take their opportunities. Cleary and Maloney struggled on the back of a beaten pack and were below their best tonight. Both teams will appreciate the break next weekend but the Roosters will return full of confidence for the run home into September.
David Holden
Roar Guru
FT, That's it, full time. Roosters win 32-6
David Holden
Roar Guru
79' Kick from Baptiste just knocked on by Tedesco Roosters 32 Panthers 6
David Holden
Roar Guru
78' Cordner's grubber is taken over the ingoal by Watene-Zelezniak and they have a repeat set. Ferguson has left the field with injury Roosters 32 Panthers 6
David Holden
Roar Guru
77' Roosters continue to crash through the middle. Poor pass by Radley is played at by Peachey and the Roosters have another 6. Roosters 32 Panthers 6
Renegade
Roar Guru
Penrith plays a top 8 team and gets beaten again... surprise, surprise.
Danno1
Guest
No report or penalty for that? Cordner got him straight across the head...for some reason nothing to see here...
David Holden
Roar Guru
76' Panthers struggle to get out of their 30 before Maloney kicks early Roosters 32 Panthers 6
David Holden
Roar Guru
75' Roosters looking for more points. Last tackle kick taken by the Penrith fullback Roosters 32 Panthers 6
David Holden
Roar Guru
74' Enterprising set from Panthers but Roosters defence equal to task,' High shot from Cordner has stopped Harawira-Naera. He has left the field. Cleary's bomb taken by Ferguson Roosters 32 Panthers 6