Penrith Panthers
20
Match Complete
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
10
| N. Cleary |  | 78 | ||
| J. Luai |  | 77 | ||
| N. Cleary | | 42 | ||
| D. Edwards | | 40 | ||
| N. Cleary |  | 40 | ||
| N. Cleary | | 35 | ||
| I. Tago | | 33 | ||
| 12 | | N. Hynes | ||
| 11 | | M. Moylan | ||
| 7 | | C. Tracey |
| 3 | Tries | 2 | ||
| 3 | Conversions | 1 | ||
| 1 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
The Penrith Panthers are flying, can the top four hopefuls, the Cronulla Sharks be just the second team to beat them this year? Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 5.30pm AEST.
The Panthers are just about unstoppable at the moment. Despite resting their seven Origin stars last week, and making a swathe of errors in a scrappy performance, they managed to get the win against the Tigers, taking their record to 16-1 for the season. But the real test is about to begin. How do their Origin players come back from a demoralising series loss? They are sitting pretty at the top of the ladder, but momentum is going to really start to count now and they don’t need to start losing games.
The Sharks have virtually set up camp in the top four all year. But their isn’t a greater test in the NRL right now then going to Penrith. They managed a good win in Townsville last week against a depleted Cowboys outfit, but they need to improve again if they are going to beat the Panthers.
The Panthers are back at full strength in this one. All seven of their Origin players take their usual positions. Spencer Leniu was dumped from the side last week, and will once again play in NSW cup. Matt Eisenhuth takes his spot on the bench. The Sharks welcome back Siosifa Talakai in the centres. He pushes Connor Tracey out to the wing to replace Sione Katoa, who has been ruled out for the remainder of the season. Briton Nikora returns from suspension, pushing Teig Wilton to the bench and Jesse Colquhoun to the reserves.
There has been some streaky runs of form between these two teams. The Sharks won seven in a row against the Panthers between 2016 and 2019. The Panthers responded with four straight wins of their own. The Sharks were one of just a few teams to beat the Panthers in the regular season last year, overcoming their Origin affected side to win 19-18, courtesy of a Shaun Johnson field goal. The Sharks last win in Penrith was back in 2018.
Prediction
You can’t not tip Penrith at home in 2022. But this is where the season really starts for the Panthers. It is all well and good to win up until this point, and it sets them up for another premiership tilt. However it is the momentum you build going into the finals, and the way representative players handle the Origin hangover that makes all the difference.
The Sharks want the win, but a loss here isn’t the end of the world. They get an opportunity to gauge where they are at, and have nothing to lose. They are a smart football team. Nicho Hynes has steered them around nicely since this year, and it has allowed Matt Moylan to play some of his best football. They have hard men in the pack, and are willing to back their defence and give away set restarts when they have to.
For the Panthers all eyes are on Nathan Cleary. Can he overcome an Origin series heartbreak and refocus on the Panthers campaign? You would have to say he will be highly motivated to put memories of a disappointing decider behind him with a solid performance for the Panthers.
Panthers by 10
Game information
Kick-off: 5:30pm AEST
Venue: BlueBet Stadium
TV/Stream: Kayo Sports, Foxtel
Odds: Panthers $1.24, Sharks $4.10 – odds via PlayUp
Penrith
1. Dylan Edwards 2. Taylan May 3. Izack Tago 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Mitch Kenny 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Matt Eisenhuth 17. Jaeman Salmon 18. Charlie Staines 19. Spencer Leniu 20. Chris Smith 21. Sunia Turuva 22. Sean O’Sullivan
Cronulla
1. Will Kennedy 2. Connor Tracey 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Matt Moylan 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Royce Hunt 11. Briton Nikora 12. Wade Graham 13. Dale Finucane 14. Teig Wilton 15. Cameron McInnes 16. Braden Hamlin-Uele 17. Andrew Fifita 18. Braydon Trindall 19. Aiden Tolman 20. Kade Dykes 21. Jesse Colquhoun 22. Matt Ikuvalu
Renegade
Roar Guru
Haha Well Penrith are still clearly the benchmark and the team to beat, no denying. But last night showed the sharks aren’t as far off their pace as I had thought, they’ll be better for it when they meet again… same as the sharks game against the storm earlier in the year.
Wollongong Wise
Guest
Really? Winning should always be the objective as a coach. Or team for that matter. Cronulla had twenty put on them in the wet. Cronulla’s Moylan try wasn’t even a try. Cronulla couldn’t score another point , after about 12 minutes. Cronulla has had relatively easy games up to that one, which they must have been prepared for. Along with only a very minor involvement in any rep games. I think about 6 teams are capable of winning it this year . Have to wait & see which one does?
Eels
Guest
They lead by 5 wins until the Cowboys win their game.
Westie
Guest
Is that if the game only goes for 15 minutes? Just Joking! :laughing:
JennyFromPenny
Guest
How much of the game did Cronulla dominate? How much territory? How many sets on Penrith's line? North Qld left the ground pleased after answers to these questions were none, none, and two.
JennyFromPenny
Guest
I hope you do finish 2nd. Both teams win wk1, and the NRL caves in years of discrimination to allow both teams home prelims, instead of both teams possibly playing at the away team's home ground.
Renegade
Roar Guru
True but unless they finish 4th it definitely won’t be at Penrith :stoked:
JennyFromPenny
Guest
Yes playing at home is big. Qld new game3 would be at home. Unless Cronulla finish 2nd, they aren't playing a final at Shark Park through September.
JennyFromPenny
Guest
The dominant teams wins more penalties, has been explained all before.
JVGO
Guest
Sharks didn't compete mentally or physically in the middle period. Had to carry Fifita and Wade through that period both with a couple of mistakes which destroyed any momentum. If we can turn those big contracts into some younger guns next year like those two used to be we'll be a very good footy side. The young guys would have gained a bit of belief from that. Toby and Macinnes were immense.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Score didn’t matter to me today…panthers at home, 56% possession their way, all the territory, must have been half a dozen sets on the sharks try line, penalties and six agains their way as well. Just like QLD after game 2, it’s all good.
JennyFromPenny
Guest
Let's not lose sight of the real score 20-4.
Renegade
Roar Guru
You’re still the benchmark by a fair way egbert. Like all teams, I’d probably still hope the sharks avoid the panthers… but if it happens, there’s enough confidence out of tonight to say it’s definitely game on next time round.
JennyFromPenny
Guest
Great game Panthers. Up against it tonight. Ashley Klown. That was a shocker. Held ups being called tries, players not getting sent off. Wasn't easy. Pretty disrespectful to the Tigers, Jack - already pencilling in Cowboys win tomorrow. I think if Broncos can holler about being top4 after the very first game of the round, surely we are now 5 games clear (for a day anyway), plus an extra game clear based on for/against.
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Perfect analogy.. before that game at Brooky Manly couldn’t beat the Storm for love nor money. In that game Dessie didn’t get the result but he cracked the code.
Renegade
Roar Guru
100% agree :thumbup: The best example I can use that you’d be very familiar with is Manly vs Melbourne, which I’m sure similarly was just over a month out from the finals in 2008….winning wasn’t the objective for Dessie in that game.
Dwanye
Roar Rookie
Hi egbert. Na, I wouldn’t be fussed. Eels where dreadful and Scored points on Bronco’s. No way Bronco’s will find Panthers with asleep defence and fumbling attack.
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Based on that performance alone, you’ve every right to be confident. Sometimes a loss like that is an education for a team.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Ok yep I agree with all of that.
Tony
Roar Guru
Haha. Finucane didn't run the ball once after his high shot.