The Panthers have stormed into their third straight grand final after coming from behind to beat the Rabbitohs 32-12.
The premiers did so on the back of brilliant showings from Nathan Cleary and Brian To’o, while Dylan Edwards continued his incredible season.+
Read on for foxsports.com.au’s Panthers player ratings.
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1. DYLAN EDWARDS – 9
Solid as ever at the back under the high ball, but received plenty of attention from Souths’ defence. Huge run late in the first half to give his side some much needed territory. Ran for the second most metres in the first half with 98 to help the Panthers stay in the fight. Finished with 230 metres, 10 tackle busts and a linebreak from 24 runs.
2. CHARLIE STAINES – 6
Man-handled every time he touched the ball early in a clear plan from Souths. Denied a try due to an obstruction form Luai. Made 56 metres in the first half. Finished with 88 metres and eight tackles but missed three.
3. IZACK TAGO – 7
Made just 35 metres in the first half but was rock solid in defence. Scored a great try after pouncing on a Luai grubber. Finished with 62 metres and 18 tackles.
4. STEPHEN CRICHTON – 7
Solid defence early but was met with plenty of defence every time he touched the ball. Finished with 72 run metres and 16 tackles without a miss.
5. BRIAN TO’O – 9
Solid charges early as always and solid in defence. Changed the game with a brilliant long-range try with the last play of the first half. The barnstorming run drew comparisons to All Blakcs legend Jonah Lomu. Ran for 175 metres in the first half alone to get the Panthers back in the game before finishing with a game high 267 metres to go with his try.
6. JAROME LUAI – 6
A mixed night for the Blues Origin star. Was at fault for a grab on Lachlan Ilias in the first half which saw a try to Izack Tago ruled out. Appeared to have set up a try for Staines but was penalised for running around Fisher-Harris. In the second half he showed his class with a brilliant grubber kick to put Tago over. Finished with 65 metres a try assist to go with an error, two missed tackles and two penalties conceded.
7. NATHAN CLEARY – 9
Quite simply outstanding. Tortured the Souths backs with some towering early bombs. Set up a try for Leniu with a pinpoint grubber before laying one on for himself to seal the game and cap a stellar performance. Finished with 58 run metres, two linebreak assists and a try assist to go with his try.
8. MOSES LEOTA – 7
Solid in defence, but struggled to get his running game going. Just 32 metres in the first half, but 16 tackles in defence. Finished with 70 run metres and 24 tackles.
14. MITCH KENNY – 7
Failed to challenge the line early after being a shock starter. Made 25 metres and 18 tackles without a miss in the first 40. Finished with 72 metres and 27 tackles.
10. JAMES FISHER-HARRIS –
Some brilliant charges in the first half to try and get some momentum for his side. 58 run metres in the first half and 23 tackles. Finished with 114 metres and 33 tackles.
11. VILIAME KIKAU – 6
A man possessed in defence to start the game and monstered a fair few Souths players. Placed on report for a poor shoulder charge on Graham that gifted Souths field position. Struggled to get his running game going early. Just five metres in the first half and gave away two penalties. Finished with just 36 metres and 26 tackles.
12. LIAM MARTIN – 8
A few glaring errors in defence and struggled to find metres in attack early before settling to finish with 120 metres and 32 tackles after a strong second stanza.
13. ISAAH YEO – 8
Rock solid in the middle in defence and always looked likely with ball in hand. 40 metres and a game high 26 tackles in the first half. Finished with 88 run metres and a team high 37 tackles.
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9. APISAI KOROISAU – 9
Struggled to get his running game going after coming on halfway through the first half and had to do plenty of work in defence. Scored a brilliant try out of dummyhalf to get the Panthers back in the contest before halftime. Ran for 42 metres and had a linebreak and 16 tackles in the first 40. Finished with 42 metres, 33 tackles and a try after a brilliant finish to the match.
15. SCOTT SORENSEN – 8
Solid off the bench on both sides of the ball to add some much needed energy late in the first half. 23 tackles and 10 tackles in the first half. Finished with 72 metres and 20 tackles without a miss.
16. SPENCER LENIU – 8
Made a big impact on off the bench in the first half to get the Panthers going forward. 39 run metres in the first 40. Pounced on a Cleary grubber to give the Panthers the lead in the second half. Finished with 105 metres and 12 tackles without a miss.
17. JAEMAN SALMON – 5
Limited opportunities off the bench. Finished with 25 run metres and two tackles.
