Penrith Panthers
12
Match Complete
Brisbane Broncos
13
| N. Cleary |  | 76 | ||
| S. Luke |  | 76 | ||
| 70 |  | A. Reynolds | ||
| 21 | | A. Reynolds | ||
| 19 | | H. Farnworth | ||
| 17 | | A. Reynolds | ||
| 15 | | H. Farnworth | ||
| N. Cleary | | 8 | ||
| S. Crichton | | 7 |
| 2 | Tries | 2 | ||
| 2 | Conversions | 2 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 1 |
The NRL premiership continues tonight when the Penrith Panthers take on the Brisbane Broncos at BlueBet Stadium in Penrith. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 8:05pm (AEST).
The Panthers begin their tilt at a threepeat tonight; if they can achieve it, you get the feeling that this premiership would be the most special so far.
The downside of being Premiers means that you can’t keep all of your players under the salary cap. Api Koroisau, Viliame Kikau and Charlie Staines have all left the Panthers for 2023, and Stephen Crichton and Spencer Leniu have announced their intentions to depart for next year.
They are big shoes to fill, and it remains to be seen how Jarome Luai performs without Kikau on the left edge. The Panthers hope that Luke Garner will fill part of that role.
The Panthers, though, can remain confident, as they arguably have the best junior nursery in the game. Players like Soni Luke and Sunia Turuva are blessed with talent and ready for an extended run in the firsts.
The Broncos have a stronger roster in 2023, helped by the signings of Jesse Arthars, Martin Taupau and Reece Walsh, who misses the opening round via injury.
With a pack featuring Payne Haas, Patrick Carrigan and Tom Flegler, the Broncos are firmly in the mix for a finals spot again. For them to make a real impact on the competition, Adam Reynolds needs to have a big season.
Kevin Walters has a strong squad at his disposal this year. With that, however, comes pressure, and Walters may find himself under the microscope if the Broncos have a slow start.
Prediction
The Panthers rarely lose at BlueBet Stadium, so the Broncos’ first assignment is their version of Mission Impossible.
Penrith may be marginally weaker this year but they will be too strong for Brisbane.
Game information
Kick-off: 8:05pm (AEDT)
Venue: BlueBet Stadium, Penrith
TV: Nine, Fox League
Live stream: Kayo Sports, NRL Live Pass
Betting: Panthers $1.31, Broncos $3.46 – odds via PlayUp
Teams
Panthers
1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Luke Garner 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo
Interchange: 14. Soni Luke 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Jaeman Salmon
Broncos
1. Selwyn Cobbo 2. Corey Oates 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan
Interchange: 14. Cory Paix 15. Keenan Palasia 16. Thomas Flegler 17. Martin Taupau
GB
Roar Rookie
Everyone loves a feel good story, and doesn't it feel good to see the Panthers forced to eat some humble pie and turn on each other after the game.
Bonza
Roar Rookie
Love watching Mam. A livewire who can whack.
Chris
Guest
Sometimes you need a few injuries with a few losses , to force a club to try some different players. With a view to the future. That gives them some opportunities. I was looking forward to seeing players such as : Geyer, Riki , Lindsay Smith, Blacker , Jenkins, McLean given a chance. So hope they get a chance. They may be further down the table, but that what happens with a big player turnover , over a few years.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Mate dunno but it aint often
Panthers
Guest
Not sure why Ivan likes Garner & put him in? When he was nothing against St.Helens . Did nothing against the Broncos either. Penrith NSW Cup forwards are all better than him. The former Bronco Hosking is also better than him & outplayed him against St.Helens ( as an example ).
andyfnq
Roar Rookie
Because they are human and therefore imperfect. Not an easy game to referee at the speeds it is played at these days, and with a replay from every angle afterwards
andyfnq
Roar Rookie
Didn't Melbourne hold them to donuts last year?
andyfnq
Roar Rookie
And mouthy Penrith fans too
andyfnq
Roar Rookie
Balanced by the revelation that Luai isn't that good when not protected by a beast like Kikau
andyfnq
Roar Rookie
Feel you on that one :stoked:
Panthers
Guest
Brisbane played well & defended very well. A more determined effort to get to a kick to score & a very good break by Man that led to a try after that. A bombed chance by Martin & a couple of other efforts, but Penrith struggled In attack most of the time. Seemed to lack some size up front & definitely lacked Korisau’s ability to find a hole. May have to try with some other forwards that offer something different such as Geyer ( in for Garner ). Luke in earlier as well. Brisbane deserved their win.
andyfnq
Roar Rookie
We say they don't play that badly again, but they were beaten by a side that didn't make the 8 last year. They'll need to do a lot better to avoid more results like that. A change in some key personnel and less luck than the last two years with injury might make them look a very different team this year
12YearRoarGuest
Guest
Yep, never judge a teams form until 5 or 6 games into the comp. Then all the varibles v results give it real meaning (as much as I would like to say this game means the Broncs r 2023 Champions :happy: )
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Yep. Let's set benchmarks applicable to a top 4 team. Pretty much what Kevvie and Reyno said post-match.
Dionysus
Guest
Not really wanting to rain on the Broncos parade too much but they do have some work to don on discipline. Gave away some silly 6 agains and penalties tonight though admittedly their defence saved them. The good news is that that should be fixable.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Good summary Joe.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
And Ezra another step up.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Love the league :thumbup:
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
I thought they looked better when Luke came on. He reminds me a bit of Api. Edwards same as always , but that left side attack was clunky as .
Cam
Roar Rookie
Lol, Panthers have won 25 from 27 at home the past 3 years