This should be a great night for the Penrith Panthers, who reasserted their position as Premiership threats by downing South Sydney 16-10 at BlueBet Stadium.
Yet, inevitably, the talking point will be a much more depressing story, which saw a fan ejected from the stadium after allegedly racially abusing Latrell Mitchell.
There had been other drama at the interval as Nathan Cleary limped down the tunnel with a suspected ankle injury, though the Panthers were quick to quash any speculation that it was serious and the halfback returned for the second half.
Ivan Cleary confirmed that he would go for scans – as would other players, though he declined to name who. Jarome Luai left in a moon boot but insisted that it was nothing serious. The Panthers sit out Round 3 before travelling to Parramatta for their derby on the Thursday night of Round 4.
“They (the medics) didn’t seem too worried at half time asked they’d looked at it,” said Ivan of Nathan’s injury.
“There’s a couple of guys actually injured at half time, so we’ll have to assess it tomorrow. It might be a good time for the bye next week.”
The Mitchell incident soured what was a superb game between two of the clear Premiership contenders. The Panthers, who had lost two on the spin at home, turned in a performance of the highest quality to out-grind the Bunnies.
Souths were dogged, but failed to make a real impression in attack until late in the game. By then, it was too late.
“I felt we lent back,” said Souths coach Jason Demetriou. “To use a boxing analogy, we tried to fight off the ropes. I don’t think we stepped in the fight enough. We’ve got to be better.
“They lost their first game so obviously their motivation is higher. Motivation is good coming here but when you get on the field you have to step in. There were moments where we were good but you have to step in with motivation in both halves.
“I felt like if we could have scored first in the second half we could probably go on with it, but we gave away an early try and made it too hard.”
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE for a seven-day free trial for your favourite sport on KAYO
The Panthers’ line speed bites back
These are two exceptionally good teams. Hardly a hot take, given they’re one and two in the betting for the Premiership, but from the first whistle, it was clear that this was a high quality contest.
The average team gets through 39 sets per game, but at half time, it looked like that might be somewhere in the mid-40s, such was the pace being set by both teams. It slowed up, understandably, after the break, but the standard had been set.
The linespeed from both teams was good, but any contest that involves a prolonged grind always likely to favour the Panthers. Souths had to sub Davvy Moale after 11 minutes and Tom Burgess after 20. Penrith’s middles were still going.
You can’t out Penrith Penrith, and it’s even less likely to happen without the likes of Tevita Tatola and Jai Arrow, both out today for the Bunnies.
Souths are probably the best attacking side and Penrith are certainly the best defensive one, and that’s how this played out in the end.
Penrith have lost twice on the spin at home, but conceded just two tries on both occasions. That aspect of their game hasn’t gone anywhere.
Good defence tends to beat good attack and that was the case tonight, but in truth, there wasn’t really a loser, because Souths got a superb hit out against a team that they’ll be facing again in the latter half of the year.
Back 3 the key for Penrith
When the Panthers’ linespeed is working, you can look to their wingers for the reason why. Back 3 metres in yardage are vital for two reasons: they’re sustainable across 80 minutes because wingers don’t get subbed on and off, and they allow the middles to rest in attack and thus fire up in defence.
The wingers need to be doing the bulk of the metre work if the Panthers are to be at their best, and that was certainly the case tonight. Brian To’o was back at his usual high standard and was joined by Sunia Turuva, with Dylan Edwards chiming in.
All of the back five topped 100m with ball in hand, combining for over 50% of the total yardage between them. It’s the fundamental of their style and the secret to their defence – and it was back on form tonight.
Cleary wins the kicking battle
When games are as tight as this one was in the first half, the transition becomes the key phase of the game. Souths have, in the last year, resisted the urge to cycle with the likes of Penrith, figuring that they would lose if they tried. Today they tried, and they lost.
But Souths did find some joy in their willingness to engage. Lachlan Ilias, in particular, came with a plan.
Every kick he took landed on top of Sunia Turuva and there was a noted improvement in his longer kicking, with a few steepling spiral bombs sent up. Though there were no headline grabbing moments like last week, the improvement remains clear to be seen.
The trouble was that he was up against the best. Nathan Cleary was imperious with the boot and gave the Souths back three nightmares from the first minute.
His first saw Alex Johnston stranded and almost resulted in a try, and his second did the same to Izaac Thompson. The third left Latrell Mitchell standing a long way from where the ball bounced.
Ilias’ kicking was absolutely fine, but Cleary’s was just so much better. Finding the floor and starting Souths slow forced them to fight for every yard, which caught up by the end.
Campbell Graham
Almost as impressive as Ilias last week was Campbell Graham. Back in September, he had his heart set on representing his Scottish heritage at the World Cup, but unexpectedly found himself in the Kangaroos squad after Selwyn Cobbo failed to impress in the PM’s XIII game against PNG.
He was certainly the last man on the squad list, but took his opportunity with both hands and had a superb tournament. Now, that form has been carried into the NRL season with two outstanding showings to kick off the year.
Tonight, he was the one leading the Bunnies’ chase and putting forward his case as the best defensive centre in the comp.
Some of his first contact on Turuva was exceptional, holding his man up and turning him around to deny the Panthers a set start.
On others, he shot the line and chopped Jarome Luai, halting the attack even when he didn’t complete the tackle himself.
Censored Often
Roar Rookie
Take it anyway you like champ, I follow neither team but lived in Penrith for quite a while and passed comment on situationsthat I experienced whilst living there. Genuinely didn't try to trigger the overly sensitive folk so I do apoligise. Have a nice day.....
Allan
Guest
Your argument may as well be the first 5 words, you haven't added anything else. To re word that line for you, you can't even come up with a reason for Panthers higher results under this ref, not even a suggestion. So just to summarise what I got from you Tracking results is a waste of time Everythings random Maths means nothing Conflicts of interest cannot exist 17% rounds down to zero You are allowed to refer to AFL stats report only when you're arguing against Steve but no one else can use it to argue against you. Anyone who shows skepticism is paranoid. I genuinely hope you are taking the piss as I think you would have a high chance of being scammed and would also be concerned for decisions you make (I really hope you don't work in safety) if you really are ignoring facts and not reading data correctly. I should be thanking you anyway you for going on with this. Because of you a few more people will be aware of this information and be able to make their own conclusions.
Richard POWELL
Roar Rookie
That's right. Blame the ref. Both of Souths tries were highly dubious
Redcap
Roar Guru
Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. Irrelevant comparisons, ongoing reliance on unfounded accusations/conspiracy. __ Then there’s this: “You cannot even provide a hypothetical for the higher results yet still rule out a coincidence therefore have no argument.” __ I have no idea what that’s supposed to mean, but I’m done with this. You’ve got nothing.
GB
Roar Rookie
Don't scare the fish away. I have a Blacktown catfish on the line. :laughing:
Allan
Guest
Like I said penalties are not a good indication, Roosters have had a terrible penalty record for the last 10 years but are still very successful. The hypothetical on the Roosters is when they are in front are happy to give away penalties.
Chris
Guest
Albo. Now you should know by now that you can’t talk sense , to any South Sydney supporter. Especially one who lives in Queensland.
Chris
Guest
Really? It was not many years ago, that Penrith were the most penalised team in the competition, for 3 straight years. How exactly were the referees assisting Penrith during that time? In other words, ‘you’re full of crap’!
Rob
Guest
If Mitchell is out for South’s, when they play Penrith. Then it’s South’s would have won if Mitchell played , according to the South’s supporters . Plus the Ref helped Penrith every time. If Mitchell is in the team, then it’s just the Refs fault. Try to go with , the other team was better & deserved to win , when South’s lose. ‘The Truth will set you Free’!
blacktown leagues
Roar Rookie
yep got all that but one final point last years prelim they had a ref with who they have a superior winning record and also they had a home final even though penrith were minor premiers and bunnies finished seventh im suggesting they had a lot in there favour also lets not forget they led 12 nil after 37 minutes only to concede 34 unanswered points with all that in there favour you cant blame officiating for the outcome i think they had a better than even chance in that game but just weren't good enough
Chris
Guest
Yet, according to South’s supporters. Penrith have been helped to win against South’s, the last 10 out of 11 times that South’s have lost to them. You probably think that the ref played his part when South’s lost to them by 44 points too?
Justin
Guest
Of course you wouldn’t, as you’re biased.
Panthers
Guest
Get off the drugs there La Coque . Penrith actually produces some players. The French Dressed Chickens buy competitions. No need to be jealous, the Chickens will have bought another competition soon enough.
Chris
Guest
As you’re a Penrith hater by the sound of the ‘Riff’ stuff. I’ll take your opinion with a grain of salt. 7/10/2020. Child rescued from violent South’s/ Roosters fans brawl. 11 Sept 2022 — While a majority of fans behaved admirably, there were a few that decided to show disrespect before the game between the Roosters and Souths. 11 Sept 2022. Rooster / South’s fans boo queen, after her passing. During minutes silence ( the only supporters to do so ) . You were saying?
Allan
Guest
Yes but the regular season games still affect this result like I said with top 4 finish , week off, home final and possibly a fresher team from resting players. A ref influences the game much more than penalties with knockons and 10m but I think the biggest influence on the game is time allowed slowing down the ruck which is too big a variable across all teams and refs. I am not saying South's would have won any game just the stats suggest that are denied a chance to compete on an even level. I also accept that in rugby league you get bad calls and have to find a way to win but this statistically seems to be a pattern.
Chris
Guest
Blacktown Workers are a Penrith foundation club . Even though Manly are paying them money to run some of Sydney West’s ( Penrith/ Parramatta ) juniors through the club, doesn’t change that fact,
Chris
Guest
The first South’s try, the player went to the ground & his arm ( carrying the ball )touched the ground before he passed the ball. So that’s passing off the ground.
blacktown leagues
Roar Rookie
i agree with the point you make re atkins and souths win rate under him and yes i am also aware of penriths success rate under him but in two of those games i mention the penalty count was 3/2 so at worst the bunnies could have been behind no more than 2/0 in the count at any stage hardly game defining if you want to win a comp you have to deal with that
Allan
Guest
That's correct but he was the bunker ref in all of those matches.He also does award South's a lot of penalties but their performance is way down, so just like Thursday nights game I interpret that as late 2nd half catch up penalties. Penalty timing and consistency is more is more important then the penalty count so to me it is not a great baseline. Round 2 is just as important as the last round as particularly with South's the last few years as it contributes to a top four finish, home final and the option to rest players late in the season if you are high enough up the ladder. I am happy for someone to tell me other factors but the raw data for now says South's are at an average minus 12% disadvantage whenever this guy refs, the worst in the NRL. I would also hope at the very least that this guy gets a tap on the shoulder saying' just so you are aware your home team does 17% better under you compared to the ref average, it's not the greatest look'.
Allan
Guest
The facts are the mathematical results, you are just in denial. The difference is larger then the effect on smoking of life span. Do you believe smoking is harmful or is that just random too and do you need a higher percentage. What is your threshold to say it's a coincidence? 25,40%? Being nieve is ruling out a possibility in this case a conflict of interest. You cannot even provide a hypothetical for the higher results yet still rule out a coincidence therefore have no argument. I am not making any accusations but it is a coincidence. At your workplace would you get away with 17% difference and just say it's random?