Well that will do it here from Bluebet Stadium and Penrith remain undefeated in season 2022 and defeat South Sydney 26-12. Souths play St George Illawarra next week while Penrith take on Canterbury next Sunday night.
PENALTY PANTHERS: An illegal strip and Penrith will elect to take the 2 points.
DYLAN EDWARDS MAKES THE TACKLE OF THE GAME. SCOTTY SATLER ESQUE
Liam Martin can't handle it and Souths get the ball back.
Welcome back Nathan. A GREAT SHOT on Cody Walker.
Taane Milne is running a fine line. A lot of grubby plays sneaking into his game.
Burgess puts it down.
Penrith die with the footy on the last, Souths working it out of yardage once more.
PENALTY PANTHERS: Latrell Mitchell fails to kick it 10m and the Panthers go on the attack.
Cleary puts it out back to 14 points and Penrith lead 26-12.
Jarome Luai with creative stepping before putting it on the toe which found his fellow NSW representative Liam Martin to score. Cameron Murray may be some strife as he appeared to trip Liam Martin as he scored.
Jarome Luai defending out at left-wing, went down very awkwardly in a tackle. I think he'll play on though.
Injury surveillance bunker asks Viliame Kikau to leave the field. With 13 to go that's his night done.
Last tackle creativity comes down with zero results. Penrith once again working it out of their own end and receive a BIG penalty.
Souths convert their set (eventually). Penrith now working it out of their own end.
Oh my goodness, Lachlan Ilias can't catch the kickoff and Penrith catch Souths napping. But they convert the onside goal line dropout kick and retain possession.
Mitchell's kick is successful and Souths cut the margin to 8 and trail by 20-12.
A Brilliant set play sees Alex Johnston find space down the left-hand side before linking up with Cody Walker to find South Sydney's second of the contest.
Yeo can't handle it and Souths are entering must score territory here.
Great mark by the Penrith custodian and Penrith now working it out of their own end.
Souths hang on, Penrith now trying to suffocate Souths coming out of yardage.
Latrell Mitchell knocks on and Penrith run down field and have the chance to pile more misery on the Rabbitohs.
Latrell Mitchell gets so close to the line. Souths get a repeat set, Cody Walker forces Dylan Edwards in goal.
SET RESTART SOUTHS: Nathan Cleary holds down too long.
PENALTY SOUTHS: Not square at marker and play breaks down.
PENALTY SOUTHS: Jarome Luai drags the defending player out of the tackle and after a prior warning in the first 40. Klein follows through.
Jaxson Paulo leaving the game with a HIA.
Cleary converts the 8 point try and Penrith now lead by 3 scores here at Bluebet 20-6.
Cleary nails it from touch. Now he's got an easier kick from in front.
This will be a possible 8 point try with Lachlan Ilias leading with his foot and kicking Taylan May in the process of scoring.
Well you can only hang on for so long. Taylan May has himself a double. Some questionable defence from Latrell Mitchell sees the young winger stroll over.
The short drop-out fails to work. Campbell Graham knocks it on and Penrith go on the attack.
Nathan Cleary earns Penrith another set. Great kick forces Jaxson Paulo to knock it dead.
SET RESTART PANTHERS: Hand on ball gives Penrith a fresh set.
Mark Nicholls OUT according to FOX League's James Hooper with a high ankle sprain (syndesmosis).
15/25 completions from Souths and it isn't getting better. Siliva Havili knocks on.
SET RESTART SOUTHS: Ruck infringement against Jarome Luai.
The Captain's Challenge from Souths is successful, Liam Martin ruled to have knocked on. Souths get let a lifeline.
One area, which let Souths down was the error rate. But Cam Murray knocks it on.
Both sides make their way through their opening sets after the break.
Ash Klein blows time back on to kick-start the second 40 minutes from Bluebet Stadium.
The first spiral bomb of the night causes all sorts of problems. A frantic end to the first 40 sees Penrith hold a narrow lead over South Sydney here by 12-6.
Edwards with the try-saver on Thomas Burgess!!! They hold South Sydney OUT
PENALTY SOUTHS: Big chance for Souths to attack the Panthers, not clearing the ruck was the penalty against Penrith.
Tago v Graham is an impressive match-up. Seems even on points here. Penrith taken on the last, Cleary close to the line but failed to make it.
PENALTY PANTHERS; Siliva Havili wasn't square at marker. Penrith could put the exclamation mark on an impressive first 40.
Unfortunately, Walker puts it down.
Great run from Latrell Mitchell, exactly what Souths fans want to see.
Great work from Cody Walker and Latrell Mitchell gets Souths in a great attacking position but Taane Milne is taken over the sideline.
Luai taken on 5 and Penrith hand it over forcing South Sydney to work it out of yardage.
Keaon Koloamatangi smashes Viliame Kikau!!!! What a shot
Siliva Havili can't handle the poor pass from Damien Cook and the premiers are let off the hook.
Luai nearly had his Cody Walker moment. Pass straight to Jaxson Paulo but luckily for Penrith he was crunched by Izack Tago
Lachlan Ilias steps his way past the Penrith defenders and finds his way to the line. Just like that, Souths are about to be level. But hang on, the bunker wants to have a look at this. Thomas Burgess runs to the outside shoulder and makes contact. TRY REVOKED
SET RESTART SOUTHS: Klein says Penrith held on way too long. Fresh set for the red and green.
Lachlan Ilias puts in a great kick and forces Penrith in-goal and earns his side a repeat set of 6.
PENALTY SOUTHS: Ash Klein calls held but Penrith carry on the tackle and take him in the in-goal. Souths get out of their own end and with a good kick for touch. Have a great chance.
Souths can't get out of their own end and Thomas Burgess puts it down. Penrith now with yet another opportunity.
Penrith convert their set after points. Cleary hasn't put his spiral kicks up.... YET
Cleary's night with the boot fails to improve and Penrith lead 12-6.
Just like that, Penrith strikes off a Souths error. Kikau combines with Taylan May and Penrith has their third of the contest.
Risky play inside their own 20 sees Keaon Koloamatangi come up with an error. Can't be doing that against the premiers. Penrith can reapply the blowtorch here.
Mitchell's kick goes through the post and Souths cut into the Penrith lead here and only trail by 2 points in this one.
South's right edge strikes back against Penrith's left edge. A good interchange of passing from Murray and Illias sees Campbell Graham get on the outside of Izack Tago and collects the opening try of the night.
PENALTY SOUTHS: High tackle against Isaah Yeo on fellow NSW rep Cameron Murray. Souths with some much-needed field position after being up against it here early.
Penrith complete their set after points.
Cleary's kicking is the only thing going wrong for Penrith tonight. Penrith remain 8-0 in front.
South's left edge defensively rushing up. Penrith makes them pay. Catch and pass sees Stephen Crichton cross for the premiers who double their advantage and lead 8-0.
SIX TO GO FOR PENRITH
Souths can't convert and Campbell Graham is ragdolled over the sideline by the Penrith defence led by Izack Tago.
Just like that, Taylan May drops the pass from Izack Tago. Mark Nicholls going straight up the tunnel.
SET RESTART PANTHERS: Taane Milne caught all over Stephen Crichton. Golden opportunity for Penrith.
Souths appearing to settle into the contest after the shellshock start from Penrith. Jacob Host (the replacement for Mark Nicholls) now is limping out of the tackle.
Penrith convert their set after points.
Cleary can't convert, but a dream start for the premiers nonetheless. Panthers lead this one 4-0.
Penrith take advantage of the early penalty and work down the left-hand side and Izack Tago converts and it's a dream start for the premiers.
Mark Nicholls is having some trouble with an apparent leg injury, he's left the field and is replaced by Jacob Host.
PENALTY PANTHERS: Klein says Souths held on too long in the tackle.
Ashley Klein blows time off and we're underway in the Grand Final Rematch at Bluebet Stadium.
Friday Night Football now goes to the foot of the mountains for the Grand Final rematch between the Penrith Panthers and the South Sydney Rabbitohs. The defending premiers have 3 big inclusions for this one, Nathan Cleary, Liam Martin and James Fisher-Harris. Martin wearing 19, JFH wearing 24. Leniu and Sorenson return to the bench. Souths meanwhile are as per The Front Row program. Kickoff coming up shortly!
Referees & scorers:
Referee: Ashley Klein
Touch Judges: Dave Munro, Drew Oultram
Video Referee: Grant Atkins
PENRITH PANTHERS (26)
Tries: Izack Tago, Stephen Crichton, Taylan May (2), Liam Martin
Conversions: Nathan Cleary (2/5)
Penalty Goals: Nathan Cleary (1/1)
SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS (12)
Tries: Campbell Graham, Cody Walker
Conversions: Latrell Mitchell (2/2)