Penrith slumped to a third straight loss, and had any chance of a miracle second-half fightback ended by a controversial no-try ruling, which prompted coach Ivan Cleary to declare: “I’m sure no-one is crying for us.”
The NRL season is now four rounds old, and rival fans must be already wondering if the premiers have finally run out of steam.
The 118 points they have conceded in four games was the same amount they leaked after 13 rounds in 2021.
Cleary labelled some of the scenes he was forced to watch in the first half against South Sydney as “comical”.
Despite trailing 28-0 at the break, Penrith got back to 28-12, then thought they edged closer via a try to Moses Leota just after the hour, only for the bunker to rule the prop had dropped the ball over the line.
TV commentators were convinced it was a try. So did Cleary. It summed up how things are going right now for the Panthers.
Isaah Yeo was frustrated with what unfolded in the first half.Credit: Getty Images
“I honestly thought it was a try, and it would have been handy, very handy – maybe that was just the night,” Cleary said.
“At the end of the day, we cost ourselves with too many points in the first half. Things need to go your way to get those calls and those things right in the second half.
“But it definitely killed our momentum a bit.”
Skipper Isaah Yeo added: “We shot ourselves in the foot that whole first half, and sometimes when you put yourself in those positions, you don’t get the rub of the green because you haven’t earned it
Moses Leota’s no-try summed up Penrith’s night.Credit: Nine
“It would have been nice to get [the try], we had some wind in our sails at that point, but the damage was done.”
The past four seasons Penrith have always relied on something – or somebody – special to get them out of trouble. No matter what way you spin it, the depth is no longer there.
Cleary has listened to the doomsayers predicting the fall of the champs the past four seasons, and said: “I get the narrative. I’m sure nobody is crying for us. You haven’t seen the real us yet. Once we do, you can start making judgements.
“We just haven’t got any rhythm in the way we’re playing.”
Penrith lost Scott Sorensen to concussion early, then Brian To’o hobbled from the field late with a hamstring injury.
At least Nathan Cleary returns from concussion next Friday for Yeo’s 250th NRL game at CommBank Stadium against North Queensland, while Dylan Edwards (groin) is also a big chance.
Souths have banked three wins in the opening month, and welcome the return of Latrell Mitchell for next Friday’s grudge match against the Sydney Roosters. Fullback Jye Gray makes way, but will be an excellent No. 14 option, especially when being injected into the action when fatigue sets into the game.
Coach Wayne Bennett acknowledged Penrith were down on troops, but so were Souths.
“I think they [rival teams] always stand up and take notice of South Sydney – there are too many quality players, and when they’re all together there, it’s a team you can’t underestimate,” Bennett said.
“All Latrell has to do is come back and do his job. We don’t want him doing any more than that. He’s a wonderful player, we all know what he brings, but we need him to be in sync with the rest of us, getting the job done, working hard, and being part of the team. I have no more expectation of him than that.”
Michael Chammas and Andrew “Joey” Johns dissect the upcoming NRL round, plus the latest footy news, results and analysis. Sign up for the Sin Bin newsletter.
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