Panthers claim NRL minor premiership as finals schedule confirmed
Penrith secure the minor premiership with a 38-10 win over the Wests Tigers as the week one finals series schedule is revealed.
Quick Look
The Penrith Panthers claimed the NRL minor premiership with a 38-10 victory over the Wests Tigers, while the schedule for week one of the rugby league finals series was announced.
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Why It Matters
The NRL season has reached the end of the regular rounds, setting up the week one finals series and crowning the minor premiers.
Week one finals series schedule
By Simon Smale
Here's the schedule for week one of the finals.
Friday
Elimination Final: South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Newcastle Knights at Allianz Stadium — 7:50pm AEST
Saturday
Qualifying final: New Zealand Warriors vs Dolphins at Mount Smart Stadium — 4:05pm AEST
Elimination final: Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks vs North Queensland Cowboys at Allianz Stadium —7:50pm AEST
Sunday
Qualifying final: Penrith Panthers vs Sydney Roosters at CommBank Stadium — 4:05pm AEST
FT: Panthers claim the NRL minor premiership with dominant win
By Simon Smale
The Panthers have won the minor premiership, beating West Tigers 38-10.
79' Panthers challenge and win a penalty
By Simon Smale
There is a knock on.
But Moses Leota was tackled off the ball when he was trying to get it.
The Panthers have a minute to give Thomas Jenkins the chance to become the outright leading try scorer this season.
75' Penalty Panthers, Papali'i on report
By Simon Smale
There is a hip drop tackle there by Isaiah Papali'i and he's on report, as well as giving the penalty away.
The Tigers have gone again
By Simon Smale
The Tigers were coming and now they’re gone.
70' Panthers challenge
By Simon Smale
Nathan Cleary looked to kick the ball cross-field to Thomas Jenkins but it's shanked out into the in-goal.
It came after a lovely move down to the left where Jenkins made a leaping grab to claim a pass, then an equally impressive move down the right to Brian To'o, who made a line break.
Cleary challenges and says that the ball was touched off the boot by a Tiger, but it's inconclusive and the Tigers will have a seven-tackle set.
65' Casey McLean barges his way over!
By Simon Smale
That is super impressive from Casey McLean.
They force a goal line drop out and it's comfortably gathered by Dylan Edwards.
The ball finds its way out to McLean on the 20.
He fends off one tackler, than another, then barges past three more players and carries the last of those over with him.
Supreme skill, strength and speed - all the attributes you need to dominate this game.
He scores his first NRL hat-trick.
The kick is good and the score is 38-10.
61' Penalty Panthers
By Simon Smale
Ethan Roberts lifts the ball carrier above the horizontal and the penalty goes the way of the Panthers.
60' Tigers knock on from the short kick off
By Simon Smale
There is a call for a knock on against the Panthers from the kick off, but they are going to challenge.
Jareem Bula got up to claim the ball against Liam Martin.
And he knocks the ball on.
So it's a Tigers knock on and Panthers ball.
59' Try Panthers!
By Simon Smale
The Panthers perhaps restore normal service.
A monstrous hit on Patrick Herbert by Isaiah Papali'i dislodges the ball.
It falls straight into the hands of Casey McLean and the New Zealand international just blitzes past two pretty poor tackle attempts from the Tigers defence.
The kick is good and it's 32-10.
58' The Panthers are over in the corner
By Simon Smale
But it won't count.
A good kick from Cleary, a brilliant leap and challenge from Liam Martin, who passes the ball off the floor to To'o to score.
He was down surely though when he passed the ball and that's why it won't count.
54' The Tigers are coming! The Tigers are coming!
By Simon Smale
Latu Fainu makes a break!
That is remarkable!
He has gone past Nathan Cleary there and he passes wide to Solomone Saukuru, who is powering through the tacklers only to be felled 10 metres short.
The move then breaks down and the Panthers have a goal line drop out but the Tigers are finally roaring!
52' The Wests Tigers score again!
By Simon Smale
Solomone Saukuru crosses!
Jock Madden drives to the line, draws the Panthers line towards him and then passes out wide to new halfback partner Latu Fainu.
He delivers Saukuru through a gap to score.
Again, this is what the Tigers have promised they have been able to do for a while now, and with wantaway Luai off the field, they are delivering it.
The kick is good and it's 26-10.
51' The Tigers turning it up!
By Simon Smale
Heath Mason has effected the steal in midfield!
This is better! This is much better from the Wests Tigers.
I'd love to know what Benji Marshall said at half time because they're a different team in this second half.
45' The Tigers score!
By Simon Smale
The Tigers have come out like someone tied a burning branch to their tails a la Shere Khan of Jungle Book fame.
They shift the ball to the right side, Jeral Skelton pushes off Thomas Jenkins and leaps acrobatically to score.
The kick is missed by Jock Madden but the Tigers are on the board, scoring their first NRL try against the Panthers in 216 minutes of action.
Jarome Luai off for the second half
By Simon Smale
Here's a story.
Jarome Luai is off for the second 40.
Fox Sports are saying that this was always the plan because Benji Marshall wants to have a look at Latu Fainu at five eighth.
I have questions about this.
The Tigers have had no hope of being in the finals for a while now.
The Tigers have known that Luai will not be playing with them next year for a couple of weeks too.
If the idea is to look to the future, why not dump him earlier?
It's not like he's been playing well for them at all. It's an interesting one.
Open Questions
- How will the teams perform in the upcoming finals matches?