Match summary
The Penrith Panthers bounced back from last week’s defeat with a dominant performance against the Western Suburbs Magpies, securing a 40-16 victory at Scully Park.
The Panthers started fast, capitalising on an early opportunity as Jesse McLean crossed in the corner off a brilliant long ball over the top from Trent Toelau. Toelau successfully converted to give his side a handy six-point lead within five minutes.
The game steadied from there, but the Panthers were able to double their lead just after the twenty-minute mark through Daine Laurie, who sliced through at pace on the right edge before planting the ball down.
As half-time approached, Harry Hassett extended his side's lead, hitting a strong line off a perfectly timed short ball from Jack Cole to score between the posts. Toelau added the two points, sending Penrith into the break with an 18-0 lead.
The Magpies had a job to do in the second half and they came out firing – scoring within two minutes when Kurt Falls threw a pinpoint cut-out pass to Krystian Mapapalangi, who broke through the Panthers' line to cut the deficit to 12.
Penrith hit back immediately, with both halves combining brilliantly to slice through the Magpies' defence. Toelau sent Cole through, before the five-eighth found his halves partner back on the outside to race away and reclaim his side’s 18-point lead.
Toelau was having a day out, backing up his try with another clever floating pass over the top – this time finding Casey McLean, whose pace down the sideline proved too much for the opposition as he raced away to score.
The Magpies hit back against the run of play when a stray kick found Mapapalangi, who created something from nothing – chipping over the top, toeing it forward, and grounding it in the corner.
Momentum swung the Magpies’ way as they went back-to-back, with a rampaging Noah Johannssen crashing over to bring his side within 14.
Western Suburbs couldn’t maintain control, as Penrith’s David Fale burst through the line before offloading to Sione Fonua, who scored under the posts. Preston Riki then earned a well-deserved try, powering over off an inside ball from Jack Cole to seal his side’s dominant 40-16 win over the Western Suburbs Magpies.
Talking points
Trent Toelau had an absolute blinder, playing a hand in almost every try for the Panthers and adding his name to the scoresheet as well.
Penrith’s middles really laid the platform for their backs, dominating the Magpies’ defence and allowing their halves to control the game.
While the Magpies have a lot to work on, they showed glimpses of attacking brilliance, especially through a brilliant solo effort from Krystian Mapapalangi.
Key moment
With the Magpies scoring back-to-back tries late in the game, bringing themselves back within 14 points, David Fale’s powerful effort proved a match-sealing play. The centre broke through the middle of the defensive line with a strong run before offloading to his winger Sione Fonua, who stepped back on his inside and scored underneath the posts to secure a victory for his side.
What’s next?
The Panthers bank another two competition points with a bye next week, while the Magpies will host the South Sydney Rabbitohs in what promises to be an entertaining clash at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.
Match report written by Anthony Eltarraf. Courtesy of NSWRL.
