6 matches [2000-2002]
2 wins, 4 losses
Stats: themightypanthers.com/results_headtohead_northerneagles.htm
The Northern Eagles was formed as when the North Sydney Bears and Manly Sea Eagles merged at the end of 1999 for the 2000 season.
Their first meeting was in round 3, with the Eagles scoring four tries to three to win 27-16 in their first match at Brookvale Oval. Later in the season, the Panthers led 32-16 midway through the second half at Penrith Stadium, with Craig Gower having scored 4 of their 6 tries before having to withstand a late comeback from the visitors to hold on for a 32-26 victory.
The Eagles would win the next three meetings, prevailing in their two 2001 meetings in high scoring encounters (42-34 at Penrith and 32-22 at Brookvale).
At Penrith Stadium in 2002, the Panthers trailed 28-8 in the second half and a late surge was not enough to steal a win, going down 28-22. In the final round, the Panthers travelled to Brookvale Oval, with the Eagles only needing to register a win to qualify for the finals. Penrith, with nothing to play for but pride led 44-6 at half time, and whilst the Eagles staged a mini comeback in the second half, the visitors still scored a crushing 68-28 victory – to this day, it remains the club’s biggest ever win away from home, and the ninth of all time.
At the end of 2002, the merger broke down and dissolved, with Manly taking over the NRL licence as a stand-alone entity.
The Mighty Panthers 