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Who gets the two points tonight?
Sea Eagles strike first through Garrick
The Panthers give Manly an opportunity, and the Sea Eagles seize it.
It was the penalty for the high tackle on Tom Trbojevic that allowed Manly to reset, and gave them a fresh set just 10 metres from the Penrith line.
Trbojevic tells hooker Jake Simpkin to play the ball right, and the Manly fullback draws numbers in on the edge while Haumole Olakau’atu puts Reuben Garrick through to score.
Garrick adds the extras, and the Sea Eagles take the lead.
Sea Eagles 6, Panthers 0 after eight minutes
Panthers give away first penalty
A strong start from both sides in this match, with both teams getting through their opening sets cleanly.
It’s Penrith who open the door slightly for Manly though, giving away the first penalty of the game and letting the visitors move up the field.
Add a set restart and another penalty to that for a high tackle, Manly are on the attack.
Panthers 0, Sea Eagles 0 after five minutes
Kick-off at CommBank
The final match of the day is under way, with Ethan Bullemor tacking the first carry for the Sea Eagles.
Panthers 0, Sea Eagles 0 with 80 minutes to go
Mitchell suspended for high tackle in another blow for Rabbitohs
Some suspension news out of last night’s matches –South Sydney fullback Latrell Mitchell is facing at least one week on the sidelines for a high shot on Storm winger Sualauvi Fa’alogo in the Rabbitohs loss to Melbourne last night.
Mitchell was sent to the sin bin in the 49th minute after he slid into a tackle and collected Fa’alogo high.
“It’s direct contact with the shoulder, moderate force, on report, in the bin,” referee Peter Gough said.
The Storm flyer was subsequently taken from the field for a head injury assessment, which he failed, meaning he will miss Melbourne’s Magic Round clash with the Raiders next week as he undergoes the NRL’s mandatory 11-day concussion stand down.
Read the full report here.
Church and state: Eels star’s remarkable rise from ambulance to Origin
While we’re waiting, how about some Women’s State of Origin?
Game one is at Suncorp Stadium next Thursday, with Blues coach John Strange shaking up the NSW spine to try and snap two consecutive series losses to Queensland.
One of those changes has been fullback Abbi Church, who gets her first shot in the No. 1 jersey at 27 years old.
NSW fullback Abbi Church was shocked to find out she had been named to make her Origin debut.Credit: Sitthixay Ditthavong
Church is the Parramatta fullback, and was named the 2024 Dally My fullback of the year.
A full-time paramedic, Church spoke to yours truly about the moment Strange called to give her the good news, and the skills that transfer from on the road as an ambo to the footy field.
Read the full story here.
Sea Eagles team list
Tommy Talau lines up on the wing again tonight for Anthony Seibold’s team. Here’s what they look like tonight.
1. Tom Trbojevic, 5. Lehi Hopoate, 3. Tolutau Koula, 4. Reuben Garrick, 14. Tommy Talau, 6. Luke Brooks, 7. Daly Cherry-Evans, 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho, 9. Jake Simpkin, 16. Ethan Bullemor, 11. Haumole Olakau’atu, 12. Ben Trbojevic, 13. Jazz Tevaga, 15. Corey Waddell, 17. Nathan Brown, 18. Gordon Chan Kum Tong, 22. Caleb Navale
Tommy Talau lines up on the wing tonight.Credit: NRL Photos
Proszenko’s view: Panthers look the goods tonight
Panthers team list
Just the one change for Ivan Cleary’s team to the one that was named on Tuesday, with Luke Sommerton moving to the bench and Brad Schneider starting at hooker.
1. Dylan Edwards, 2. Paul Alamoti, 3. Izack Tago, 4. Casey McLean, 5. Thomas Jenkins, 6. Blaize Talagi, 7. Nathan Cleary, 8. Moses Leota, 14. Brad Schneider, 10. Liam Henry, 11. Scott Sorensen, 12. Liam Martin, 13. Isaah Yeo, 9. Luke Sommerton, 15. Isaiah Papali’i, 16. Lindsay Smith, 17. Mavrik Geyer
Brad Schneider starts at hooker for Penrith.Credit: NRL Images
Who gets the two points tonight?
Welcome
Good evening readers.
It’s a big game tonight, with the Panthers hosting the Sea Eagles at CommBank Stadium.
If Penrith lose, they’re stuck at the bottom of the NRL ladder, which is a pretty disappointing prospect for the reigning premiers.
Manly have plenty of men out tonight, with Jake Trbojevic, Jason Saab and Toafofoa Sipley all out of the side, but they get their biggest star back – Tom Trbojevic.
Kick-off is 7:35pm, team lists to come. Enjoy.
Tom Trbojevic returns for the Sea Eagles tonight.Credit: NRL Photos
