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9.50pm on Apr 19, 2025
‘It was a balls-up’: NRL could sanction Panthers after 28-point win over Roosters
By Adrian Proszenko
Penrith coach Ivan Cleary has described an interchange bungle that briefly resulted in his side fielding 14 men as a “balls-up” after a win over the Roosters that kept their premiership defence alive.
On a night when Nathan Cleary surpassed Ryan Girdler’s record to become the club’s highest point-scorer, Penrith snapped a five-game losing streak at Allianz Stadium.
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It was a performance that will send a shudder through their opponents, who had hoped a dynasty may have come to an end. However, the victory didn’t come without controversy and will likely result in a fine from head office.
The NRL will investigate an interchange bungle that resulted in the Panthers momentarily fielding 14 men. The incident occurred in the 32nd minute, when Scott Sorensen came close to the sideline - without coming from the field - to have a dislocated finger put back into place.
As that was occurring, super-sub Izack Tago momentarily came onto the field, realised the error and immediately came back off. The bungle resulted in the Panthers being docked two interchange cards.
“It was a mistake,” Ivan Cleary said.
“Soz had a dislocated finger and we thought it must have been broken. He ran to the sideline and Izack, who has never been on the bench before, I don’t think he really knew what to do, so he didn’t give his card to someone.
“It was the old trick; ‘I’ve just got to go on, so I’ll throw it on the ground.’
“It was a rookie error, he’d actually never been on the bench in his life. To be honest with you, I’d never really thought of that.
“It was a balls-up. It cost us two interchanges. We paid for it.”
Tago belatedly entered the fray to replace Luke Garner, who failed a head-injury assessment.
The NRL has the power to dock competition points over interchange breaches, but is likely to issue a fine in this instance as play was not affected.
Izack Tago of the Panthers is tackled. Getty Images
Sorensen played on despite the injury and was involved in one of the highlights of the evening, a superb flick pass to Dylan Edwards, who scored the try that sealed the result.
There were other moments that deserve to be replayed often over the Easter long weekend. Like the brilliant Roosters scrum play, orchestrated by NSW utility Connor Watson, that resulted in Robert Toia streaming past a befuddled Penrith defence.
There was also a sublime Mark Nawaqanitawase flick pass that resulted in the opening try.
However, the most memorable moments belonged to the Panthers.
Paul Alamoti scored two almost identical tries in the first half, but it was in the second that the Panthers began playing something resembling their best football.
Nathan Cleary, meanwhile played down suggestions he was on track to break Cameron Smith’s all-time point-scoring record of 2,786.
“That’s pretty far away,” the Panthers No.7 said.
“They’re little things you can tick off along the way, it’s pretty cool. The more important journey was getting a win, getting back on track and feeling like ourselves again. Happy with both, I guess.”
9.33pm on Apr 19, 2025
Proszenko’s first take
By Adrian Proszenko
A shudder just went through the NRL competition.
When the Roosters led early, it seemed the Penrith dynasty may have finally ended.
Perhaps, after four years of total domination, it was somebody else’s turn to lift the premiership?
But after a scrappy start, to both this game and their season, normal service has resumed.
The Panthers played themselves back into form and turned what was a close contest into a total blowout.
After registering just their second win of the season, Ivan Cleary’s men have given the frontrunners a sizable head-start.
However, this resembled something akin to their best football over the last 25 minutes and the rest of the competition is now on notice.
Full-time: Penrith break five-game losing streak with comprehensive 40-12 win over Roosters
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The Panthers are back, baby.
Four tries in the second half has helped propel Penrith to their second win of the year and first since their trip to Las Vegas.
The jury is still out when it comes to Penrith’s premiership credentials but this latest trouncing of the Roosters will be enough to get Ivan Cleary’s men back on track.
Paul Alamoti picked up a first half double as Nathan Cleary chalked up 14 points without missing a kick all night.
Clinical in every aspect.
Casey McLean of the Panthers. Getty Images
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9.22pm on Apr 19, 2025
Penrith have their sixth try
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Sloppy defence from Roosters centre Robert Toia sees Casey McLean march over for the Panthers’ sixth try of the evening.
Penrith’s ball movement has been outstanding tonight. Their backs looking like they’re growing in confidence with every four-pointer.
Possession and completion rates have been pretty similar tonight but Penrith have just taken their chances and looked more dangerous.
Panthers lead 38-12 after 74 minutes
Nathan Cleary takes a kick. Getty Images
9.15pm on Apr 19, 2025
Edwards scores after Sorensen’s terrific flick pass
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Take a bow Scott Sorensen.
A sensational flick pass from Sorensen ends up in Dylan Edwards’ hands. The Panthers fullback, after a shaky start to begin this match, does the rest down the left edge.
That’ll be enough for the Panthers to register their first win since round one in Las Vegas.
Penrith briefly fielded 14 men during an interchange bungle in the 32nd minute. The drama happened when Scott Sorensen came close to the sideline - without coming off the field - to have a dislocated finger put back into place.
As that was occurring, Izack Tago came onto the field for a brief moment, realised the error and quickly came back off.
The bungle resulted in the Panthers being docked two interchange cards.
Let’s see what comes of it.
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9.07pm on Apr 19, 2025
More Panthers magic
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This is outstanding rugby league.
Skipper Isaah Yeo tries his hand at kicking in play. You don’t see that every day.
He aims right for the post. The ball hits it and ricochets to Blaize Talagi who plants the ball down for a nice try.
Just when the Roosters looked like they might pounce, the Panthers put them back in their box.
A wonderful set play from the Roosters off the back of a scrum sees them get back in the contest.
Connor Watson takes off to his right down the short side but instead of flicking a pass to Dom Young outside him, goes back inside to Robert Toia who runs through a huge gap to score. Panthers players had already fanned out and didn’t see Toia at all.
Sandon Smith’s conversion is good. Eight points the difference.
Isaiah Papali’i has a four-pointer for the Panthers. They have been on song either side of half-time.
Penrith hooker Mitch Kenny has been superb tonight. He looks up from dummy half and kicks through. Papali’i storms through and dives on it.
It’s all one-way traffic at the SFS tonight. Penrith look on track to snap a five-game losing streak.
Cleary’s conversion is good and extends the lead to 14 points.
Panthers lead 20-6 after 53 minutes
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8.53pm on Apr 19, 2025
Garner fails his HIA
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The Panthers centre won’t take further part in the game tonight after copping a head knock.
Meanwhile, Mark Nawaqanitawase looked to have been caught up in a crusher tackle. No penalty though. Interesting call. Certainly wasn’t comfortable for the former Wallaby.