The Sydney Morning Herald logo
The Sydney Morning Herald logo
Advertisement
SportNRLNRL 2025

This was published 1 year ago

‘It was a balls-up’: Panthers facing sanction after interchange bungle in win over Roosters

Adrian Proszenko and Tom Decent
Updated ,first published
Loading

‘It was a balls-up’: NRL could sanction Panthers after 28-point win over Roosters

By Adrian Proszenko

Penrith coach Ivan Cleary has described an interchange bungle that briefly resulted in his side fielding 14 men as a “balls-up” after a win over the Roosters that kept their premiership defence alive.

On a night when Nathan Cleary surpassed Ryan Girdler’s record to become the club’s highest point-scorer, Penrith snapped a five-game losing streak at Allianz Stadium.

Loading

It was a performance that will send a shudder through their opponents, who had hoped a dynasty may have come to an end. However, the victory didn’t come without controversy and will likely result in a fine from head office.

The NRL will investigate an interchange bungle that resulted in the Panthers momentarily fielding 14 men. The incident occurred in the 32nd minute, when Scott Sorensen came close to the sideline - without coming from the field - to have a dislocated finger put back into place.

Proszenko’s first take

By Adrian Proszenko

A shudder just went through the NRL competition.

When the Roosters led early, it seemed the Penrith dynasty may have finally ended.

Perhaps, after four years of total domination, it was somebody else’s turn to lift the premiership?

But after a scrappy start, to both this game and their season, normal service has resumed.

The Panthers played themselves back into form and turned what was a close contest into a total blowout.

Full-time: Penrith break five-game losing streak with comprehensive 40-12 win over Roosters

By

The Panthers are back, baby.

Four tries in the second half has helped propel Penrith to their second win of the year and first since their trip to Las Vegas.

The jury is still out when it comes to Penrith’s premiership credentials but this latest trouncing of the Roosters will be enough to get Ivan Cleary’s men back on track.

Paul Alamoti picked up a first half double as Nathan Cleary chalked up 14 points without missing a kick all night.

Clinical in every aspect.

Casey McLean of the Panthers. Getty Images
Advertisement

Penrith have their sixth try

By

Sloppy defence from Roosters centre Robert Toia sees Casey McLean march over for the Panthers’ sixth try of the evening.

Penrith’s ball movement has been outstanding tonight. Their backs looking like they’re growing in confidence with every four-pointer.

Possession and completion rates have been pretty similar tonight but Penrith have just taken their chances and looked more dangerous.

Panthers lead 38-12 after 74 minutes

Nathan Cleary takes a kick. Getty Images

Edwards scores after Sorensen’s terrific flick pass

By

Take a bow Scott Sorensen.

A sensational flick pass from Sorensen ends up in Dylan Edwards’ hands. The Panthers fullback, after a shaky start to begin this match, does the rest down the left edge.

That’ll be enough for the Panthers to register their first win since round one in Las Vegas.

Panthers lead 32-12 after 68 minutes

View post on X

Penrith had one extra player on the field

By Adrian Proszenko

Penrith briefly fielded 14 men during an interchange bungle in the 32nd minute. The drama happened when Scott Sorensen came close to the sideline - without coming off the field - to have a dislocated finger put back into place.

As that was occurring, Izack Tago came onto the field for a brief moment, realised the error and quickly came back off.

The bungle resulted in the Panthers being docked two interchange cards.

Let’s see what comes of it.

Advertisement

More Panthers magic

By

This is outstanding rugby league.

Skipper Isaah Yeo tries his hand at kicking in play. You don’t see that every day.

He aims right for the post. The ball hits it and ricochets to Blaize Talagi who plants the ball down for a nice try.

Just when the Roosters looked like they might pounce, the Panthers put them back in their box.

Panthers lead 26-12 after 62 minutes

View post on X
View post on X

The Roosters pick up a try from nowhere

By

Where has that come from?

A wonderful set play from the Roosters off the back of a scrum sees them get back in the contest.

Connor Watson takes off to his right down the short side but instead of flicking a pass to Dom Young outside him, goes back inside to Robert Toia who runs through a huge gap to score. Panthers players had already fanned out and didn’t see Toia at all.

Sandon Smith’s conversion is good. Eight points the difference.

Panthers lead 20-12 after 58 minutes

View post on X

Kenny sets up Papali’i for another Panthers try

By

Isaiah Papali’i has a four-pointer for the Panthers. They have been on song either side of half-time.

Penrith hooker Mitch Kenny has been superb tonight. He looks up from dummy half and kicks through. Papali’i storms through and dives on it.

It’s all one-way traffic at the SFS tonight. Penrith look on track to snap a five-game losing streak.

Cleary’s conversion is good and extends the lead to 14 points.

Panthers lead 20-6 after 53 minutes

Advertisement

Garner fails his HIA

By

The Panthers centre won’t take further part in the game tonight after copping a head knock.

Meanwhile, Mark Nawaqanitawase looked to have been caught up in a crusher tackle. No penalty though. Interesting call. Certainly wasn’t comfortable for the former Wallaby.

Panthers lead 14-6 after 50 minutes

Isaah Yeo takes a hit-up. Getty Images
Advertisement