Panthers pounce late; Rabbitohs rule
The Penrith Panthers overcame a slow start — perhaps distracted by today’s State of Origin selection announcement — to hammer the Canterbury Bulldogs 30-4 and extend their unbeaten start to the NRL season to a remarkable 12 games yesterday.
Only hours away from the announcement of the NSW team for Origin I, up to nine Panthers were expected to enhance their chances and reputations in the first-versus-last clash.
However, the NRL pacesetters could only muster a 10-0 lead for almost an hour, before putting on the afterburners with four tries in the final 24 minutes.
The final try was easily the highlight of the contest, with Stephen Crichton finishing a breakaway 95-metre effort that twice involved pinpoint Matt Burton passes.
The only sour note was the citing of Isaah Yeo and Moses Leota, both of who are in contention to be selected by Blues coach Brad Fittler.
Yeo was on report for a firsthalf high shot on Matt Doorey while Leota was sinbinned late in the contest for collecting Jake Averillo on the jaw while on the ground.
It was an otherwise routine rout, with Charlie Staines claiming a double.
■ Cody Walker’s best game of the year could amount to nothing in
the race to keep his NSW No 6 jersey after a high shot dimmed his display in South Sydney’s 38-20 win over Parramatta last night.
Walker’s left edge ran riot in the Rabbitohs’ big win, as they bounced back from last week’s 44-point flogging from Penrith.
But it came on a horror night for State of Origin selectors, with Cameron Murray on report for one crusher tackle and Nathan Brown for two. Walker was also pinged for a high tackle.
Likely Queensland hooker Reed Mahoney was also placed on report for dangerous contact, as was Eels NSW hopeful Ryan Matterson.
Souths ran riot as winger Alex Johnston and centre Dane Gagai both bagged hat-tricks.