The Penrith Panthers host the Cronulla Sharks in a game with serious top-eight ramifications. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 6pm (AEST).
It’s fourth versus sixth on the ladder and one would usually expect there to be little between the teams.
However, this match will be seriously affected by the absence of James Maloney, Nathan Cleary and Tyrone Peachey, who are all being rested after a rigorous State or Origin clash on Wednesday and a busy workload over the last six weeks.
The Panthers come off some patchy form, with wins against Canberra and New Zealand, as well as bad losses to Manly and the Roosters. With significant interruption to their squad across the Origin period, they will be looking to get some consistency of selection back over the coming weeks in the lead-up to the finals.
Cronulla come in off the bye and similar form, with wins against the Warriors and Tigers mixed with recent losses to the Broncos and Rabbitohs. With only Valentine Holmes backing up, the Sharks will be licking their chops at the chance to knock off the Panthers and join them level on points in a tightly bunched top four.
With Penrith well undermanned, it will be a considerable challenge, despite the home advantage, and the strength of the Sharks’ bench looks a threatening proposition.
Prediction
Penrith is a rich nursery for talent, so they will take a strong team to the field even without their representative stars, yet the combinations required to produce points at NRL level will be sadly missed and the Sharks should have their measure.
Penrith 14-24 Cronulla
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Joe
Roar Rookie
Really good game. Some tired legs in the end their. Sharks are starting their run. Penrith attack looks dangerous and this is without three of their best attacking players. The Penrith 7 is a first grader and really with the lack of good halfbacks in the competition he can't be stuck behind Cleary any longer. I'd be surprised if the stayed another year at Penrith as he is good enough to be playing first grade now. Val Holmes is really starting to show how good a player he is at fullback. Great performance backing up from Wednesday where he also played an excellent game.
Conan of Cooma
Roar Rookie
Yeah, they would have made a difference. Just like in round 7 - Better losing margin.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
The Cronulla Sharks have outlasted the gallant Penrith Panthers to secure a 24-12 victory at Panthers Stadium. Most felt the Sharks would have the measure of the Panthers tonight with Penrith's State of Origin stars rested for this game, yet once again the young Panthers showed just what a future the Club has if they are able to keep ahold of their young talent. There will be money offered for Tyrone May, Jarome Luai and Viliame Kikau as soon as they are on the market, such is their current skill set and potential development. The match was certainly one of two halves with a stop start first period; littered with handling errors and penalties seeing the Panthers make a rod for their own back. Time and time again the Sharks were cheaply marched down field and they capitalised with tries to Sione Katoa and Valentine Holmes. A lone penalty for Luai saw the Sharks take a 12-2 lead to the break. The second half was a much better spectacle with Penrith scoring early through Waqa Blake and Cronulla responding with a Matt Moylan try after fifty four minutes. At that point, the young Panthers decided to lay it all on the line and began to move the ball liberally in attack. Corey Harawira-Naera crossed on the right edge and the conversion saw the home side back within six points with ten minutes remaining. They threatened the line again before Moylan broke their hearts with a clean break and try-scoring machine Holmes loomed up in support to score under the posts. The Sharks now join the Panthers on twenty-four points and look a likely top four contender. Penrith will look forward to the return of their Origin players next week and will be proud of the effort from the young team that took to the field tonight. Final Score Penrith 12 Cronulla 24
Renegade
Roar Guru
”Rediculous”
KenoathCarnt
Guest
So having 2 NSW playermakers plus some key forwards and Tyrone Peachey would not have made a difference? Delusional mate watch Broncos put them in place when they actually play a proper squad.
Renegade
Roar Guru
It was a really good game.... Sharks defence brilliant, panthers were very good too. Few touches of brilliance and class of the sharks getting them home.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Thanks for being on board for the blog and make sure you jump over to the Knights and the Eels as live rugby league coverage continues on the Roar. Match report to follow in ten minutes. Have a great night.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Full Time 80' - Final minute as the Sharks are happy to wind the clock. SIREN.
Penrith: 12 Cronulla: 24
Stuart Thomas
Expert
79' - The Panthers make a clean break through Kikau and the final ball on the inside misses the mark but he did bust half a dozen tackles. What a run!
Penrith: 12 Cronulla: 24
Renegade
Roar Guru
Rediculous
Big daddy
Guest
I am not sure why this is early match. Should have been Saturday night or Sunday afternoon as it would have given SOO players an extra, day of recovery and also been a much better crowd. Imagine travelling from Cronulla fans for a 6p.m. Friday night match. Absolutely no idea with NRL match committee.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
79' - Just a couple of minutes remain as Penrith kick off and the Sharks start again. Prior hits it up. Bukuya follows him and then Fifita. Pretty bland set and they kick deep on the last to Aekins.
Penrith: 12 Cronulla: 24
Bill Larkin
Guest
Don’t like the Sharks. Hate them in fact. But their effort tonight has been sensational. They looked dead on their feet, but defended sensationally. Well done.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Conversion 78' - The kick is successful and the Sharks have got the job done in Penrith.
Penrith: 12 Cronulla: 24
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Try 76' - The Sharks start a set and Moylan makes a clean break before finding Holmes on the inside who streaks away to score. That should do it.
Penrith: 12 Cronulla: 22
Stuart Thomas
Expert
75' - Penrith looking to keep the ball alive at all costs. The need to play more direct to get maximum impact from that. They kick on the last and it finds the touch line.
Penrith: 12 Cronulla: 18
KenoathCarnt
Guest
A full Panthers squad would be smacking Sharks of the parks. Sharks are quite lucky with Origin selection they even have Holmes playing.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
74' - Penrith scrape away from their own line looking tired and kick long on the last. Penrith on their twenty; a good kick.
Penrith: 12 Cronulla: 18
Stuart Thomas
Expert
73' - Blake hammers the ball through the centre. They hit the right edge again and Fisher-Harris again through the centre. Kotoa takes the kick on his own line.
Penrith: 12 Cronulla: 18
Stuart Thomas
Expert
72' - Fifita with a good run for the Sharks on the fourth. They kick deep and Aekins brings it away.
Penrith: 12 Cronulla: 18