The inaugural Panthers Women's team celebrated their opening game with a 22-14 win over Central Coast Roosters in Round 1 of the 2025 NSW Women's Premiership season.
Karen Stuart's side found themselves in an arm wrestle with the Roosters, earning a hard-fought victory with a performance underscored by composure and cohesion.
The Panthers dominated stretches of the game, but were dealt a number of blows. Penrith conceded the opening try and entered the final 20 minutes locked at 10-10, but responded well to the setbacks to score their historic first win.
Gisele Masun-Feleti clinched the first try in Panthers Women history, and was joined on the scoresheet by Claudia Bush, Danica Talitonu and Abigayle Sekitoga.
The match marked the official launch of the first Women's team in Penrith Panthers history.
After the Panthers failed to capitalise on some early attacking opportunities, the Roosters snatched the opening try through Tyra Ekepati.
The Panthers rolled up the sleeves and continued their search of points, which eventually came in the 21st minute through a Tarsha Gale Cup graduate.
Gisele Masun-Feleti jumped out of dummy half 15 metres from the try line, slicing through the defence with a sidestep and burst of speed. The young hooker then wove away from the fullback and beat a last-ditch tackle to score a historic first Panthers try.
Claudia Bush converted to push the Panthers ahead 6-4, before extending her team's lead early in the second half.
An offload by captain Kahu Cassidy and clever pass by Emily Eden saw Bush take possession 20 metres out with a retreating defence before her. With a quick change of direction, the five-eighth exploded into space and coasted to the try line.
The 10-4 scoreline proved to be short-lived, despite some outstanding goal-line defence by the Panthers. The Roosters would draw level midway through the second half when Imogen Hei barged over and Logan Fletcher converted.
However the Panthers responded swiftly, restoring their lead just three minutes later through another graduate of the Panthers pathways system.
After Brooke Wilkins came up just short of the try line, prop Danica Talitonu powered onto a short pass by Eden and showed great strength to muscle over for a try.
An important conversion by Claudia Bush saw the Panthers take a 16-10 lead with 15 minutes remaining.
A blockbuster finish unfolded, with the Roosters up for the fight. The hosts threatened to hit back when prop Eliza Lopamaua broke into the backfield, but she and the Roosters were brought to a halt in a fantastic tackle from Panthers fullback Brooke Wilkins.
The Panthers then put themselves on the brink of victory when they scored their fourth try with six minutes remaining.
A big run by Danica Talitonu put the Roosters defence on the backfoot, and the Panthers spread the football left through Cassidy and Bush. Loreen Luamanuvae offloaded back to Bush, and she quickly unleashed winger Abigayle Sekitoga to score in the corner.
Claudia Bush capped off her standout display with a crucial sideline conversion, putting the Panthers clear of the Roosters by 12 points.
With three minutes remaining, the Roosters pulled back a try through Logan Fletcher but the Panthers were already out of reach.
A 22-14 victory provided the perfect start to both the 2025 season and the history of Penrith Panthers Women.
FULL-TIME: Panthers 22 def. Central Coast Roosters 14
Tries: Gisele Masun-Feleti (21'), Claudia Bush (43'), Danica Talitonu (54'), Abigayle Sekitoga (64')
Goals: Claudia Bush (3/4)
Line-Up: 1. Brooke Wilkins, 2. Jacinta Tui, 3. Litia Fusi, 4. Natalia Webb, 5. Abigayle Sekitoga, 6. Claudia Bush, 7. Chloe Pallisier, 8. Danica Talitonu, 9. Gisele Masun-Feleti, 10. Loreen Luamanuvae, 11. Abbie Grant, 12. Harmony Covacich, 13. Kahu Cassidy (c)
Bench: 14. Emily Eden, 15. Jae Patu, 16. Oriana Epati, 17. Naomi De Bruine, 18. Erin Gunton
