Naden denied
Brent Naden has shifted to the Tigers’ left wing with Junior Tupou out of the game with a leg injury.
And Naden could do little when he had four Panthers defenders shove him into touch just before half-time.
The Panthers lead 10-6.
The Tiges are not out of this.
Tigers survive
The Panthers looked ready to score.
Api Koroisau knocked the ball free from Mitch Kenny to give them a breather.
The next set Kenny spilled the ball when he tried to go himself.
It felt like the premiers were camped on the Tigers’ line for 36 sets.
The Tigers need to finish the half strong. There are four minutes remaining until the half-time oranges.
Turuva has two
Make that a double for Sunia Turuva.
The Panthers shifted it right for Turuva to score a simple four-pointer.
The little winger has attracted the interest of the Dragons. Does James Fisher-Harris’ departure free up some coin to keep him beyond this year?
The game was in the balance until Junior Tupou dropped a simple kick. Penrith made the most of the invite.
Penrith lead 10-6.
Turuva hits back for Panthers
Sunia Turuva showed some slick footwork to hit back for the Panthers.
Jarome Luai did well on the fifth play with a lovely run down the left, Brad Schneider kicked across field the next play, the Panthers kept the ball alive, and Turuva did the rest.
It looked like schoolyard stuff when Turuva looked at Justin Olam and tried to step past him. It was all too easy.
Pennies and Tiges are now 6-all.
Schneider avoids bin
It’s all happening.
The Tigers went left off the kick-off, Jahream Bula put Junior Tupou into space, then Justin Olam was tripped up by a diving Brad Schneider.
The Tigers used a captain’s challenge after they were penalised for having a player in front of the kicker.
Mick Ennis rightfully asked on the TV commentary why Schneider was given a ten-minute timeout.
Good signs by the Tiges.
Sezer on report
Aidan Sezer is on report – and in the sights of Dylan Edwards.
A few plays before Junior Tupou scored, Edwards and Sezer had to be separated in back play after Sezer charged through and appeared to collect the leg of Brad Schneider after he had kicked.
Josh Aloiai earned a suspension for something similar last weekend when Manly played the Warriors.
Edwards was pumped up. I’d back him against Sezer.
Tupou scores
The Tigers have scored through Junior Tupou.
It looked all a little bit too easy for Tupou, who had nobody in front of him when John Bateman popped the ball out to his left wing.
Api Koroisau converts and it’s 6-0.
First penalty
No score after five minutes.
The Tigers have just received the first penalty of the game. They needed that one, the Tiges.
And Lachie Galvin puts through a lovely grubber to force a dropout.
What have the Tiges got?
What’s next
The Tigers were disappointing against the Dragons last week.
Although the Dragons backed it up against the Warriors last night. Wow-wee. Who saw that one coming? Or the Eels getting spanked for that matter?
Anyone else 0-3 in the tipping?
They will be competitive, and Lachie Galvin’s return will lift their attack.
They host Brisbane next week.
The Panthers will be fresh off the bye and travel to North Queensland next week.
Battle of the cats
Who wins this afternoon?
Can the Wests Tigers upset the premiers a second year in a row?
I doubt it, but they will have a red-hot crack.
The Tigers do tend to lift against the teams placed higher up the ladder.
Carrington Park out at Bathurst is a cool place to watch footy.
I’ve been a few times, and always loved a cold Stone And Wood at the George Hotel afterwards.
And have you ever noticed how big the gutters are in Bathurst?
Paul Alamoti debuts for the club for the injured Taylan May. Scott Sorensen returns from a knee injury. The Tigers are 1-17.
