Summary
Thank you for joining me tonight for an occasion that quickly turned into a procession. The opening ten minutes were a contest, but thereafter Penrith demonstrated why they have been near-unbeatable for three seasons.
The black wall in defence was relentless. The control up front was intimidating. And the class behind was breathtaking. The Panthers are skilled exponents of all facets of modern rugby league.
Dylan Edwards was superb from fullback, making an incredible try-saving tackle midway through the second half and returning every kick with interest. Brian To’o finished two superb tries, Stephen Crichton got the show on the road, and Nathan Cleary was the ringmaster, drawing defenders to him to exploit space further wide and kicking with menace. Isaah Yeo, Moses Leota, and James Fisher-Harris were brutal in the pack, dominating their Parramatta counterparts.
The Eels had an off night at the worst possible time. Penrith never game them an inch but they didn’t help with costly individual errors. Only at the death with the Panthers tiring did they make the scoreboard respectable. More sides than them would have been outclassed by this juggernaut.
It is now time to take my leave. Here’s tonight’s match report. Look out for more reaction during the week. See you next year.
Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo accept the Provan Summons trophy, step down among their teammates and hold the mighty trophy aloft as confetti rains down on Accor Stadium and Tina Turner’s Simply The Best rises into the night sky.
Updated
