The Penrith Panthers have rounded out an outstanding NRL grand final performance defeating the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 46-26 in a dynamic showcase. The game was held at Penrith Stadium, and the Panthers showed exactly why they’re known for their offensive powerhouse. Nathan Cleary was instrumental in powering them to victory. This victory is still an impressive feat for the Panthers. It does so for the highest winning margin in a non-grand final clash between the two teams.
It was total Panthers’ control from the very beginning with all six tries coming in the first half. Their scoring efficiency was ridiculous, but it was more than just the brilliant homogeneity in the first half of that 20 complete sets. The halftime score was an impressive 40-20, putting the game practically out of reach in the first half.
Key Players Shine
Nathan Cleary quickly became the focal point of the Panthers’ attack, playing a major role in every completed pass. His leadership and strategic execution opened up his teammates to thrive, most notably Paul Alamoti and Brian To’o. Alamoti, though, was the top performer of the evening, scoring a hat-trick and making a game-high 242 meters with ball-in-hand. His agility and speed combined to make him a fearsome attacking option down the right flank.
Brian To’o had a shout for player of the match, crossing for a double in the first half and gaining 260 meters. His intimidating size, combined with his quickness and technical skill on the ball, carved out his legacy as one of the cornerstone players of the team’s heyday. Other Penrith try-scorers were Liam Henry, Isaiah Papali’i and Cleary himself, as the Panthers ran out 30-6 winners in a thorough performance.
Bulldogs Struggle to Keep Pace
Though the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs fought hard and had their moments, their efforts weren’t enough to match the caffeine-fueled assault of the Penrith Panthers. Lachlan Galvin was the first half’s anomaly. Sure he scored a try but he cost his team a win by not taking smart discipline penalties and making other game-changing mistakes. Defensively, the Bulldogs were undone as well, allowing six tries in the first stanza while scoring just one of their own.
Putting aside Galvin’s bizarre and inconsistent rulings, another high-profile incident during that same match saw Penrith forward Isaah Yeo put on report. Even the most sanguine litigants aren’t putting their money on him waiving off legal fallout. That will help him continue to play a critical role in his team’s winning success in the next few games.
Next Steps for Penrith
Congratulations to our Penrith Panthers on a nail-biting Grand Final win! Now, they are preparing to Townsville for a pulsating preliminary final against the Broncos. The team has already secured victory in their last four encounters with rivals Canterbury-Bankstown. They’re riding a lot of big momentum as they enter these final, critical rounds of the competition. They are preparing themselves for their next test. They will work to maintain their growing momentum and take full advantage of their recent victories.
