Penrith Panthers continue their strong run in 2023 with a 44-18 win over Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs at Penrith Park on Sunday afternoon.
The Panthers did most of their damage in the first half. They scored 28 points in front of a packed stadium with Brian To'o and Tyrone Peachey picking up doubles in the one-sided affair.
Panthers didn't take long to get into their stride. They swept it left, Jarome Luai stabbed through the kick and Tyrone Peachey dived over to score after being elevated to the starting line-up after Izack Tago's injury.
It was already a monumental task and it doesn't get easier when Bulldogs gave up a penalty in possession. Panthers were quick to punish them with a hit and spin from Isaah Yeo close to the line making it 12-0.
The hits kept coming like a Taylor Swift concert for the Panthers. This time, it was a swift backline movement from the back-to-back Premiers which saw Brian To'o touch down in the corner.
All that glittered was gold for the Panthers in the first half. Another backline move, this time to the left, saw Peachey pocket his second four-pointer and Cleary kicked his fourth to make it 24-0.
Any mistake will be punished against the Panthers. It was a nothing kick from Matt Burton which Dylan Edwards attacked, poked his nose through and sent To'o away for his second try of the afternoon.
Bulldogs did find something before half-time. It came from an offload which gave them room and Paul Alamoti spun his way over the line to get the visitors on the board and make it 28-6 at the break.
The visitors did have some early chances to further cut into the scoreline but the Panthers repelled them. Panthers got a chance and struck through Stephen Crichton who cut inside to score.
The Panthers brought up the 40 points in style. It was solid work between Jarome Luai and Nathan Cleary which sent Scott Sorensen over without being touched in a tamer second half.
It was a forward fiesta in the try-scoring stakes for the Panthers. Another sublime pass from Cleary saw Luke Garner stroll through the Bulldogs defense and he took a bow right after at 44-6.
There was some consolation for the Bulldogs from Jake Averillo. He fooled the defense with a pair of dummies then sliced through the Panthers to get the Bulldogs into double digits.
They added another late which might be called a speccy. Jeral Skelton, who had an indifferent day on the wing, goes high and takes the mark and turns to get the ball down.