Stat Attack: Panthers v Knights
The Panthers proved too strong as they powered their way to another convincing win, defeating the Newcastle Knights 44–12.
Dylan Edwards was outstanding, crossing for a first-half hat-trick (12’, 15’, 20’) while racking up a game-high 284 running metres from 25 carries and adding a try assist.
Brian To’o impressed on the wing with a double (64’, 68’), 226 running metres from 20 carries and a game-high three line breaks, consistently bending the defensive line.
Classy Edwards Try
Nathan Cleary maintained control throughout, finishing with a try (29’), six goals from eight attempts and 411 kicking metres, while adding 161 running metres from 20 carries and two line breaks.
Cleary goes in
Izack Tago made his presence felt with a late try (76’), while Paul Alamoti (204m) and Casey McLean (151m) provided strong yardage.
Spectacular Tago intercept to score
Moses Leota (161m) and Tom Jenkins (139m) laid a solid platform, while Isaah Yeo (135m, 37 tackles) and Isaiah Papali’i (125m, 31 tackles) combined impact with work rate on both sides of the ball.
The Panthers’ attack was well distributed, with try assists coming from Dylan Edwards, Isaah Yeo, Izack Tago and Moses Leota.
Defensively, Yeo led the way with a game-high 37 tackles, supported by Papali’i (31) and Luke Garner (27), while Leota (25) and Blaize Talagi (24) added steel through the middle. Lindsay Smith (22), Billy Phillips (21), Freddy Lussick (21) and Scott Sorensen (21) rounded out a committed team effort.
Highlights: Panthers v Knights
TRIES
- Dylan Edwards 12', 15', 20'
- Nathan Cleary 29'
- Brian To’o 64', 68'
- Izack Tago 76'
Dyl TRIPLE whammy
GOALS
- Nathan Cleary 6/8
Bizza scores on the edge
RUN METRES
- Dylan Edwards: 284m (25 runs)
- Brian To’o: 226m (20 runs)
- Paul Alamoti: 204m (18 runs)
- Nathan Cleary: 161m (20 runs)
- Moses Leota: 161m (16 runs)
- Casey McLean: 151 (16 runs)
- Tom Jenkins: 139m (17 runs)
- Isaah Yeo: 135m (15 runs)
- Isaiah Papali'i: 125m (14 runs)
- Blaize Talagi: 124m (12 runs)
Lussick 's second Panther try
TRY ASSISTS
- Dylan Edwards: 1
- Isaah Yeo: 1
- Izack Tago: 1
- Moses Leota: 1
Bizza x2
LINE BREAKS
- Brian To’o: 3
- Dylan Edwards: 2
- Nathan Cleary: 2
- Freddy Lussick: 1
- Paul Alamoti: 1
- Tom Jenkins: 1
TACKLES
- Isaah Yeo: 37
- Isaiah Papali’i: 31
- Luke Garner: 27
- Moses Leota 25
- Blaize Talagi: 24
- Lindsay Smith: 22
- Billy Phillips: 21
- Freddy Lussick: 21
- Scott Sorensen: 21
KICKING METRES
- Nathan Cleary: 411m
Jim Beam Team Song: Round 8
