Cronulla were cooked long before Charlie Staines found his range at Kogarah, but with the sticks split after the Forbes tearaway’s third, Nathan Cleary had effectively put the statistical dagger through the Sharks’ season.
Twitter exploded. Couch-bound statisticians served fact in what is mostly a buffet of distortion.
It’s a dish well known and the proof’s in the eating, no side in history has leaked a half ton then recovered to lift the trophy.
But this is 2020, where the only certainty is the unexpected.
Droughts, fires, floods, COVID-19 and Cronulla pantsed 56-24. Throw in the prime minister flouting the 1.5-metre rule and Paul Gallen trying to clutch the Sharks’ second trophy and an engraver could be excused for jumping the gun.
But as much as Shire folk would pay to see it, there’s more chance of coach Johnny Morris hosting Family Feud covered in neck tats.
Penrith, though, are a dark horse charging into full view.
Last week Ivan Cleary held the Tigers’ fans in the palm of his hand, this week in one-way traffic he lamented the Sharks’ four soft tries.
With pink and black jumpers Penrith are every bit the chameleon, their style too mimics the shades of their match-day opponent.
Already they’ve morphed with competition favourites Melbourne and the Roosters to grind out impressive wins. If not for a late Eels blitz, the Panthers would be on top of the table.
James Tamou leads the way, nearing the form that once made him a Kangaroos regular. And with the likes of James Fisher-Harris and Viliame Kikau, it’s a pack of skilled intimidators now laced with NRL nous.
So deep is the pool, Jack Hetherington was gifted to the Warriors. But with Isaah Yeo and Liam Martin keeping Roosters premiership winner Zane Tetevano on the bench, Cleary knows the stocks are ripe for Penrith’s third title.
The icing is out wide, and it’s almost as thick as the cake itself.
On Saturday, without veteran Dean Whare and powerhouse winger Brian To’o, Cleary unleashed the man they call Ferrari.
Cronulla weren’t the only ones caught off guard. Seemingly on tap in opposite corners of Kogarah Oval, Staines’ seat-hopping mates showcased their own frightening pace to make the backdrop in all four tries.
But somewhere among the fanfare the gold was lost. At one stage, the 19-year-old debutant found open space then top gear, looked inside, steadied and put Dylan Edwards away for a try of his own with a pin-point bullet pass.
It was a reminder of the class at the coach’s fingertips. Good judges say the super smooth Stephen Crichton will go all the way and in Brent Naden there’s a dash of James Roberts and the rangy Xavier Coates.
And even above the steady Nathan Cleary sits the cherry on top, Api Koroisau.
The glue, the glove, whatever he is, the clunky Sea Eagles are showing just how vital the crafty dummy-half was to their premiership aspirations.
And with the modified rules playing into Penrith’s hands, there’s a touch of the 2005 Tigers in the Panthers’ title quest.
That year, in terms of points scored, was one of the most free-flowing of the NRL era. And like the Panthers, the Tim Sheens-coached side started with a rawness. In the Tigers’ case it saw them concede 30 points or more in eight separate games.
But by finals time they’d nailed the formula, one that didn’t stifle the gifted Scott Prince and Benji Marshall.
Importantly for Ivan Cleary, in terms of premiership quality, his squad is far more advanced than the Sheens outfit was at the season midpoint.
But this is 2020 remember, so buoyant Penrith fans should hang on tight, there’s sure to be a twist.
So look out, it might just be improved title credentials thanks to a horror 50-point hiding.
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
This year for sure, it’ll be part of Dessie’s plan against Parra.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
No team has had 50 big ones put on them and gone on to win the title, it's only proof that it hasn't happened , not that it can't. The betting agencies don't agree that it can't happen.
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
Ha. No different to gibberers like us on here then. There’s hope for us all, well most anyway.
Dogs Boddy
Roar Rookie
I believe it was a solid 5 year plan. The genius part was he didn't mention which 5 years he was talking about.
Dogs Boddy
Roar Rookie
This just comes across as spiteful Simple Simon. Here, have 20c so next time you go to the fair you can get yourself a pie. Help you cheer up a bit.
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
Yep, agree. Still away to go before they have the consist resolve of the usual front runners. But if windows are a thing then the Panthers are close. Plenty of names on the rise, just like their pay demands as the wins mount, be interesting to see how many are still on the books after another 2-3 years.
SimplySimon
Guest
Plan 1 Dish out Peptides team wide 2 Employ a thug for a prop 3 Employ a dishonest coach 4 Get coach to ignore his ban and prepare his team from home 5 Chate the salary cap 6 Get Greenburg to make up some excuse like "we were SC compliant on the day " so we can keep our trophy.
Superspud
Roar Rookie
A definite threat finally living up to potential. This season particularly it can be a bit of a trap looking at form against the bottom sides as there seems to be a bit of a drop off. We need to see them against the top sides a bit more. They lost to Parra and the whole "if it wasn't for a late burst by Parra they would be on top of the comp" is a bit hollow. Every team would have it's if it wasn't for stories. The fact is that they did lose that game. No doubt they will be there somewhere.
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
Even though Api already has a premiership ring, he could be just the Priddis the Panthers need.
Wood.Duck
Roar Rookie
Good pack but lack of experince in big games may come back to haunt Penrith in the backs. They have had quite a lot of luck this season and I feel they are definitely top eight material but only nuisance value during the semis. Parra have youth and experience as do Melbourne and Sydney. I think this years grand final will be contested by two of those teams.
Pickett
Roar Rookie
They are playing with a lot of spirit, great defense and no expectation. There is a real 2003 smell about this mob. They could go all the way.
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
Is the Manly merge in the current 50 year cycle, I’m up for anything. Moylan and Turbo in a battle for the front row seat.
Dogs Boddy
Roar Rookie
It worked a treat though. We are now only 4 years into our second 50 year plan and things are going swimmingly.
Ralph Malph
Roar Rookie
The only certainties surrounding the Chocholate Soldiers is that changing their jerseys to the Licorice Allsorts wasn't quite the look they liked. Hence their pink Musk Stick colours that has appeared through out the 2020 seasons.
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
Pig farmers unite, kk.
kk
Roar Pro
Like Roster Recessions, Jason.
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
If Kent, Hoops and Hitch are stumped for words, narrative is the filler. Surely kk, of all the busted years, the Storm/Easts narrative is dead. Battle of the west makes sense so long as it’s not branded the narrative we had to have.
kk
Roar Pro
Best teams in, all fit and well, it is still Roosters and Storm. It all depends on roll call on the day. Parra v Panthers has appeal.
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
Form hides everything hey, what the Sea Eagles would do for a win.
mushi
Roar Guru
I think he had a 5 year plan from 2012-15 and then mysteriously it became just a "plan" around 2017 with no time frame. I did wonder at the start of the year why people were high on the Broncos and low on the Panthers. Similar F/A but penrith had the tape scandal