Friday 1st April at BlueBet Stadium
Penrith 26 – Tries: May (2), S. Crichton (1), Martin (1), Tago (1); Goals: Cleary (3) | South Sydney 12
More: themightypanthers.com/match1309.htm
Izack Tago posted the first try in just the second minute, finishing a left edge movement.
The lead was doubled to 8-0 soon after when a very quick chain of passes to the right edge caught out the slow moving Rabbitohs defensive line, and Stephen Crichton slicing through a gap to score in the corner.
A converted try to South Sydney cut Penrith’s lead to just 2 after 16 minutes, but the next time that the Panthers were in possession they crossed for their third try when Taylan May took a Viliame Kikau and stepped back inside at close range to burrow over.
Leading 12-6 at half time, the home team further extended their lead soon after the resumption with a second try to May, with Kikau once again providing the try assist. Upon further review, it was awarded as an 8 point penalty try when a Souths defender struck May in the head with a boot in the put down.
On the 60 minute mark, the Rabbitohs crossed for a converted try to make it 20-12.
However, the Panthers would be next to score when Jarome Luai feathered a grubber in to the in goal, with a charging Liam Martin grounding the ball over the line to claim a try.
It would remain the last points for the contest, with the Panthers winning the 2022 grand final rematch.
The Mighty Panthers 