Why did we ever doubt them? The Panthers entered this clash as clear outsiders, but sent out the strongest statement yet that the Premiership is theirs to lose with a 22-16 slap down of the Sydney Roosters on their own patch.
Though the performance as dominant, it was not without controversy: an early Bunker call cruelled Joey Manu out of a superb individual try, with the video finding an obstruction by Jared Waerea-Hargreaves on Edwards where the 301-game veteran was a solid 10m through the line and 20m from the ball. Later, one of Sunia Turuva’s tries was allowed to stand despite a similar-looking obstruction.
In the wash-up, ref’s boss Graham Annesley conceded that a mistake had been made, especially in reference to last week’s controversy, which saw Manly hvae a crucial try taken back for a very soft obstruction call on Jake Trbojevic, who stopped in the line.
“Last week I supported two obstruction rulings by the Bunker,” he told NewsCorp.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
“I talked about the need for the lead runner to continue through the defensive line, and for the play not to be turned back through the gap created by a collision with a defender.
“Neither of these factors were present in last night’s decision. In the circumstances, the Bunker does have discretion to consider whether a defender could have prevented the try.
“In my opinion, the try would have been scored regardless and the on-field decision should not have been overturned”.
Both Trent Robinson and James Tedesco questioned the call in their post-match presser, though neither said it changed the result.
This had been set up as a changing of the guard, with the Panthers missing Nathan Cleary and James Fisher-Harris against a team that was coming in off the back of a huge derby win a week ago.
Yet this was as one-sided as they come. Don’t let the scoreline fool you: this was a beatdown from the first minute on. Easts were not a factor in the game at all until past the hour mark, by which point the result was well and truly gone.
Turuva scored a hat trick, completing moves that showed how well the Panthers orchestra, led by Jarome Luai and Isaah Yeo, functions even without Cleary the conductor.
Dylan Edwards was lead soloist for his try, one of the individual efforts of the year, but happy to do his bit for the collective too.
There was even space for a Mavrik, with Mark Geyer’s young bloke, roared on by an entire stadium bay of well-wishers, getting an NRL debut in the second half.
Liam Martin exemplified the commitment, going off with an AC joint issue in the first half but returning in the second to do a stint in the middle despite obvious pain.
Robinson could see what was happening in real time, but was powerless to stop it. The Roosters were trapped in their own end, burning energy but spinning their wheels.
“We were well beaten tonight,” said Robinson. “I like the fact we had the ability to go after it at the end to hold it that close but we were well beaten in lot of areas.
“Field position is such a big one and possession, and that was dominated by them. We didn’t get to a team ability attitude where we could do what we wanted to do, and that’s a credit to the opposition.”
It was tough, but so was everything tonight. It didn’t go close to deciding the result: Penrith did, and underlined how serious they are about a fourth Premiership in the process.
“I said before the game that when you have players out and key combinations that have changed, it’s going to test your systems,” said Ivan Cleary.
“I thought it stood up really well.
“Defence was a really important part of tonight’s game. It is every week, but when you’ve got key combinations that have changed that’s going to take a while, especially against such a good team, for that to work, so it was it was important that our defence was really solid which meant that our attack wasn’t under pressure.
Players change, but systems don’t
Why did we ever doubt them? The Panthers can lose talent left, right and centre but their collective is so strong that it makes not a jot of difference.
Penrith came knowing exactly what they wanted to do – spoiler alert: it’s what they always do – and then did it perhaps better than they ever have.
It’s a big claim, but this was a team without Cleary and Fisher-Harris, the two biggest drivers of standards, away at one of the best teams in the comp.
The first half stats told all the story. Both sides have roughly the same amount of ball – 20 sets to 19 in favour of the visitors – but where they had them mattered massively.
71% of the game had been played at the Paddington end, with the back three of the Roosters absolutely unable to get any traction to move their side up the field.
Penrith were averaging just a shade over 50m per set, Easts just 27. That’s not a misprint: each Panthers set was worth twice as many as a Roosters equivalent.
There were moments of brilliance from both Luai and, especially, Edwards, but it was the way the whole defence constricted around the Chooks in the first half that made the chances for the more creative players to shine.
Brad Schneider knew he didn’t have to be Cleary and instead let Luai take the lead creatively, but when it came to finishing sets, he butted in and called the shots.
Dom Young was battered. He didn’t make mistakes, as he sometimes can, but was unable to make any head of steam. He caught the ball and got nailed, over and over.
In attack, we saw the same. Schneider knew where his part was in proceedings, and the trio of Luai, Edwards and Yeo did the rest. Turuva, on the wing, only needed to put the ball down.
The Chooks left standing still
The messaging from Robinson at the break was about bodies in motion. He wasn’t wrong.
As much as the Panthers defence was great, they were able to load up due to the lack of deception in the Roosters’ attack, which was very one out at times.
There’s nothing wrong with taking hard hit-ups and, when you’re starting deep in your own end, it’s often the only option.
But if you don’t run the supports, then the opposition knows you’re not going to pass it and can fly into tackles with ease.
When the Chooks shifted early they did get a little joy, but that’s not sustainable early on against the Panthers.
The way out of the strangle is to get men moving, which introduces doubt into the minds of defenders, which helps limit the number of bodies in the tackle, which helps win rucks and you go from there.
Beyond that, Easts didn’t actually do that much wrong. They didn’t concede a line break until the second half.
They completed at 74%, which isn’t ideal when your opponent is up in the 90s but isn’t in and of itself a bad thing.
The difference was the yardage. They were always playing out, which magnifies errors, and induces conservative play. That isn’t a bad thing, but if it doesn’t come with at least the threat of a pass, it’s one out.
aerial lizard
Roar Rookie
And the rest of his gear, no new outfit for Emperor Cleary.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Tupou and Young is a very interesting comparison Tupou copped a lot of grief early in his career for being a bit timid at the contact, not using his size as a weapon He still had the reputation until well after he’d become one of the best kick returners in the game Young is in that space. The Panthers targeted him pretty brutally but he balks at the contact a bit. It’ll click for him where he realises his size and speed makes him a threat even carting the ball back… until he does I think clubs are mad if they don’t target him
NSWelshman
Roar Rookie
So Annesley says the player obstructed would not have caught or had any effect on the play….but the Eels player would have caught Trbojevic or Koula…
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
To me Cleary and Bellamy are on the top branch of the coaching tree. Bellamy has the luxury of a great spine and Cleary has his son, Luai and Edwards who are up there as well. But its the consistent performances of these two that sets them above the rest. They have an established game plan that works. In the case of the Panthers it is relentless defence and suffocation of the opposition. And enough in attack to score points guided by the brilliance of Cleary. When they lose players others come in and buy in to the plate - and their established stars (e.g. Luai, Yeo and Edwards) step up with even greater intensity. They aren't superstars e.g Schneider - but they do the job asked of them. I'd argue the Storm was a bit like this when they were masters of the wrestle. And when they had the big 3 or 4 - Smith, Slater, Cronk. Inglis etc. The Panthers and the Storm in general make very few mistakes which makes it difficult for the opposition to get into the contest. When teams played the Storm you just knew they wouldn't hand you opportunities - same with this Panthers side. I don't have the Storm up at the same level as the Panthers over the past 4 or 5 year but you have to admire their consistency.
Andy F
Roar Rookie
It wasn’t borderline embarrassing it was well past the embarrassing line closing in on shameful. Forwards dropping simple balls. One off runners with no options. Predictable and frankly boring. Notice Tupou makes (not every time but most times) a lot of post contact metres. Young needs to keep pumping his legs after contact. He gets into the tackle and stops so he gets forced back. Sure Luai looked good but to be honest, I might have looked like a world beater behind that forward dominance.
Andy F
Roar Rookie
Where did I say Penrith didn’t deserve the win? I questioned the disallowance of a try in the circumstances where the same action didn’t result in a disallowance in the same game. Personally, as a roosters fan I thought they played very poorly, particularly in the first half. They dropped so much ball it was embarrassing.
Bernie
Roar Rookie
some of the comments on the demise of the panthers take my breath away. super coach cleary can leave his hat on.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I agree the Roosters players don’t have big boots but where you’re kicking from also makes a huge difference Roosters were kicking from inside their own 35 and on the back foot so much last night. It’s so harder to find grass from there than just 15 metres further upfield
The Barry
Roar Guru
I think Billy Smith is injured again. Super talented player but can’t catch a break
The Barry
Roar Guru
I rarely like agreeing to disagree but agree that this is a time for it :laughing: I guess we see over coming weeks. Roosters have had two very impressive performances and two flat(ish) error laden performances. It’s early days in the season but I think that’s pretty worrying given the talent in the roster Plenty of time and premierships aren’t won in March…
Panthers
Roar Rookie
That’s with a 9-4 penalty count in favour of the home side.
Panthers
Roar Rookie
Manly is in Blacktown now & have been for years . South’s, Roosters , Cronulla etc recruit from Sydney’s west as much as from anywhere else. Including from Penrith’s lower grades. Of course some players do wish to play in their local area & represent the club & area that they love.
Greg
Roar Pro
All fair comments mate. Yet, i see it differently. I personally wouldnt call them flat as tacks. Yes, the handling errors were poor but if they were truly flat they would not have defended as strongly as they did, nor found the energy to mount some sort of challenge towards the end. I dont believe either team made a statement. Panthers would be happy for the win, away from home and missing troops as you said. Roosters were well beaten in the sense that they were never truly in the fight. They however weren't well beaten in the sense that it wasn't that the Panthers that tore them apart, moreso the Roosters beat themselves. If i were coaching that side i'd be buoyed by the fact that they held their line for so long and came up with trys (or no trys) in the few attacking chances they had. Yes, the scoreline shouldn't paper over cracks. But, the loss exposes those cracks that need to be addressed and most appear to be simple fixes. There were plenty of reasons to believe if the Roosters got their handling right they can get over the Panthers in their next match up. They were never in a position to give Young any ball last night (due to their poor handling). I don't think it can be judged if the Roosters do/don't have the structure to utilise Young when they spent the game in their own half. Nothing you have said is wrong. I just see things differently so will agree to disagree.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Definitely their own worst enemies… the unforced errors like Tupou spilling it cold were embarrassing This was a home game against a team they haven’t beaten for five years, who were missing plenty of guns, opportunity to go 3-1 v 2-2 and move to second spot. It was a bit of a statement game and I expected them to come out flying. Instead they were flat as tacks. If you can’t get up for that game, when? Instead the Panthers have beaten a contender, away, with stars missing. They’ve ended up making the statement I’m not suggesting Young has been starved of the ball all season. But last night so often they went right and the ball died with Manu. I don’t remember Young getting clean ball at all It’s all right beating up on the out of form bunnies (and probably the bulldogs next week) but they have to do it against the top teams too. I need to look at the replays against Souths because I might be remembering it how I want, but I recall Young getting his best ball when Manu was cut out of the movement The final scoreline shouldn’t paper over cracks. They were well beaten at home by an understrength Panthers… I really don’t think I’ve been that harsh, let alone “far too harsh”
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
:laughing: Or maybe it’s a triple reverse! In all seriousness, I rate Edwards and he would play plenty of SOO in other eras, but I think Tedesco is still above him. I don’t think he’s at the same level as Tedesco, Turbo, Ponga and Walsh. (Or Mitchell when he’s ‘on’). Each of those can win a game for you. Edwards is much less likely.
Pomoz
Roar Rookie
"The Panthers production line is an awesome resource for their club, but there’s a huge difference between pumping out young players and producing young players who are first grade ready and can slot straight in". This is so true. The Eels, Broncos,Tigers, Cowboys and St George Illawarra have got pretty large junior pools and the Panthers have had a large junior pool since 1967. So what happened in the other 40 years of the Panther's existence? What's holding the Eels back? A club can only sign players within the constraints of the salary cap. You can't stockpile players. There is nothing stopping any club sending a scout to St Marys and signing up the cream of talent there. They don't automatically become a Panthers junior. Suallii is from Glenmore Park and somehow ended up at Souths and then Easts. It is very easy to just say "big pool of juniors = more quality NRL players to choose from", but as the wooden spoons and ten year drought of finals football attest, it means nothing without the right development process and culture at the club. Of all the things that have happened at the club under Cleary, it is the design and fine tuning of this process that is the most important.
Greg
Roar Pro
Far too harsh in my opinion Barry. Yes, Roosters were their own worst enemy with their handling but they defended strongly despite their limited possession and field position. Young's 2 tries and 4 linebreaks from the first 3 weeks suggest he is not being starved of the ball. Sure he didn't see any last night, but Roosters rarely had any attacking ball to give. The gameplan to kick chase and give him no room to move may work when you are dominating field position due to the Roosters mistakes. It won't be so simple if/when Roosters complete at an acceptable standard. I still have concerns with Luai at the Tigers. Not due to his ability but I question if the Tigers pack can perform sufficiently to allow Luai to do his thing.
Dutski
Roar Guru
He was better than expected.He was stepping into big shoes and had shown little in his previous first grade outings to suggest that he would be anything but a weak link. At least that was my expectation. I was impressed with how he went
Greg
Roar Pro
And this Blue hopes Edwards is nowhere near the Origin team.
criag
Roar Rookie
It’s been a problem for a few years. And when Penrith are monstering all over the field in defence, it doesn’t get any easier. There was a fair bit of standing back and watching last night when defending near their own line. When they did move forward and put pressure on, they forced some errors. They hung in there, so it’s not all doom and gloom. I wouldn’t write off those late tries like many are doing. Collins coming back will help, and don’t know what Billy Smith has to do to get a run, but the Panthers are a relentless machine who look like they’ve got an iron grip on that Premiership trophy!