Despite resting all their Origin players and a major second half scare, the Penrith Panthers have returned to the top of the NRL ladder following their 24-14 win over the Dolphins in Redcliffe.
The start for the Panthers was electric as they were able to put ill-discipline behind them in the early stages to run in three quick tries to open the game inside the first 17 minutes. The first one came off some luck for the Panthers as Moses Leota came out of the line to charge down a Sean O'Sullivan kick and the big man didn't know what to do when he regathered but did enough to score.
Adding a second soon after the Mountain Men started to spread the ball from their own end and Izack Tago got into space and had too much speed and strength to beat the Titans defence. Cogger missed a second kick and the Panthers could only lead 8-0.
Showing why he's a star of the future Izack Tago picked up a second try when Tom Jenkins outjumped the Dolphins defenders and then got the ball away to Tago to again used his strength to get to the try line to score in the corner. Jack Cogger finally got his radar right with the boot but didn't have the power and the Panthers could only lead 12-0.
The Panthers were on the wrong side of the whistle from referee Todd Smith who had enough in the
A decision from Todd Smith to sin bin Jack Cogger for repeated infringements saw the Dolphins get into good field position and take full advantage of the extra man, with Kodi Nikorima going over from close range. Not long after, fans were left baffled by the bizarre thought process by the officials, which allowed Jarrod Wallace to stay on the field for a high shoulder charge on Moses Leota.
The Panthers couldn't get on the right side of the officials as ill-discipline put them on the backfoot and the Dolphins took advantage as the missed conversions hurt the Panthers as Connelly Leumelu went over chasing through his own kick to score. The Dolphins then took what looked like an unlikely lead when the Panthers couldn't clean up their behaviour when the Hammer went over in the corner.
Luck from the officials wasn't with the Panthers as a Dolphins got missed though it didn't hurt the Panthers who were able to regroup as they finally took advantage of being able to keep the ball alive inside the final 10 minutes and Tom Jenkins crossed for his first of the afternoon.
The points for Penrith gave them confidence as they were starting to get back into the groove and they finished things in the final two minutes when Tom Jenkins scored his second try in the corner. Dylan Edwards slotted the two conversions from out wide to seal the 24-14 win.
Next weekend, the Dolphins have the bye before a contest against the Bulldogs in Bundaberg whilst the Panthers next week will have all their origin stars back as they play host to the Bulldogs themselves on Sunday afternoon.