Penrith fans – savour Burton’s skills while you have him
THE Panthers have beaten the Roosters 20-14 on the back of a masterclass from centre come fiveeighth Matt Burton and a shocker from Jared Waerea-Hargreaves at Suncorp Stadium.
The Panthers’ decision not to let Matt Burton join the Bulldogs could have saved their minor premiership hopes after he dominated in a coming of age outing against the Roosters.
The Panthers’ attack has nosedived without the injured Nathan Cleary, but they clicked back into gear on the back of a Burton masterclass at Suncorp Stadium.
Cooper Cronk and Michael Ennis lauded Burton’s influence on the Panthers’ attack.
“I like what the Panthers are
doing playing upbeat,” Cronk said.
“It was their best attacking performance for some time.”
“It was a great start by the Penrith Panthers,” Ennis said.
“Brad Fittler-esque left-foot step from Matt Burton going down that left sideline.”
However it was Burton’s second try in the second half to make it 20-6 that had Andrew Voss and Braith Anasta in raptures.
“It is probably against the law, but if I’m Penrith I kidnap Matt Burton,” Voss said.
“I’m not letting him go. I’m not letting him leave.
“Here he goes again. Get me the rope. Burton has scored again for Penrith. What a last few minutes from this bloke.
“From the Bulldogs bubble at the moment, Trent Barrett has just ordered a bottle of champagne.”
“He’s untouchable,” Anasta said. Burton finished with 173 metres, six tackle busts, an offload, three linebreaks, a linebreak assist and a try in a complete performance to lead his side to victory.
The Roosters had a whopping 60 per cent of their salary cap sitting on the sidelines and it finally looked like it caught up with them against the Panthers.