Penrith’s children have warned the NRL the Panthers’ dominance would possibly proceed for some time but, beating Parramatta 22-16 in a trial recreation with simply one among their grand-final heroes within the lineup.
Fielding plenty of gamers from final yr’s NSW Cup and Jersey Flegg-winning sides, the Panthers confirmed their future stays brilliant with a grinding show incomes the win.
The Eels managed massive parts of the sport, and dominated territory on the BlueBet Stadium, however lacked a killer affect within the final 20 meters.
Among the many Panthers’ stars was winger Jesse McLean, who celebrated his latest improve to the 30-man NRL squad with a powerful attempt, chasing down a free ball and gathering his personal grubber.
Of these on the sector, solely Jaeman Salmon, Zac Hosking and Sunia Turuva are anticipated to characteristic within the Panthers’ round-one aspect, with Turuva set to fill in for winger Taylan Might who’s serving a two-game ban.
Turuva had a attempt help whereas second-rower Hosking, who joined from Brisbane within the low season, appeared assured operating for 50m.
Penrith’s lineup featured only one participant, Salmon, from their grand-final profitable outfit, with the large weapons anticipated again for subsequent weekend’s World Membership Problem towards Tremendous League champions St Helens.
Parramatta began with gun back-rower Shaun Lane and ahead Ryan Matterson, who will sit out the primary three video games of the season by means of suspension.
Matterson was near the Eels’ greatest participant, operating for 115m, whereas former Wests Tiger Zac Cini made probably the most of his alternative with 115m and two tries.
Headline low season recruit Josh Hodgson – who tore his ACL within the opening minutes of the 2022 season with Canberra – performed his first recreation for Parramatta however didn’t make a lot of an affect outdoors of throwing an interception that Penrith returned for a 95m attempt.
Panthers hooker Luke Sommerton opened the scoring with a dummy-half sprint, whereas younger heart Tom Jenkins sprinted the size of the sector after selecting off Hodgson’s move for a attempt of his personal.
A pleasant offload from edge ahead Mavrik Geyer capped the scoring for Penrith, sending Logan Cohen by means of the road to cross simply.
The competition was removed from high-quality, with errors littered all through – together with 5 within the first six minutes – with the sweltering situations in Sydney’s west carrying the groups down all through.
