The Ben Hornby era has started very similar to how the Jason Demetriou era ended at South Sydney, with the Rabbitohs falling 42-12 against the Panthers in front of a small Accor Stadium crowd.
Penrith were left at an early disadvantage after Izack Tago got sent to the sin bin for a hip drop on Jye Gray. Off the next seat Cody Walker sent Izaac Tu'itupou Thompson over in the corner, and a set later put in a kick for Dean Hawkins to score the first try of his career, and within 12 minutes the Rabbitohs led 12-0.
But Jai Arrow was soon sent to the bin after Souths conceded 5 penalties on their line, and the momentum shifted immediately with both Sunia Turuva and Brad Schneider scoring tries in the ten minute period to tie the game at 12.
Souths then had a try denied after an obstruction, and Jarome Luai made them pay with a lovely short ball to put Luke Garner over for a try. The Bunnies would soon have another try turned away due to the use of a driver, and Penrith led 18-12 at the break.
The second half started with both teams struggling to feel each other out, and ultimately it was the Panthers that hit first after a kick was left to bounce and Tago got there first, toeing it through for Lindsay Smith to score. Just minutes later Cody Walker kicked the ball dead, and Dylan Walker beat almost every red and green jersey to the quick tap, setting up Taylan May for the easiest 80 metre try you'll ever see and basically sealing the game at 30-12.
Compounding issues for Souths, Jacob Host was sent to the bin for dangerous contact on the kicking Schneider, and that let Garner get a second before Tago also crossed to push the score line to 42-12 at full time.
It was a great win for the Panthers, especially in the absence of Nathan Cleary. To be able to afford to rest one of the best players in the game and still dominate their opponents shows how special this team is. They'll look to keep the momentum rolling agains the Warriors in Round 10.
Souths are not only rooted to last on the ladder once again, but now they have more injury concerns through Jye Gray (ankle) and Dean Hawkins (quad). At 1-7, it's almost season over, especially if they were to lose their next match against the Dragons.