Panthers overcome slow start to win big over Broncos

Embed from Getty Images

Penrith Panthers v Brisbane Broncos

The Penrith Panthers have made it six straight wins to start season 2022, piling on the second half points to make the final score 40 points to 12 against the Brisbane Broncos, who move to 2-4.

Despite the result, it was the visitors who got on the board initially, with Reynolds shifting it to Kotoni Staggs early. The dynamic centre was able to get on the outside of Tago, before outrunning Taylan May and getting an offload away on the inside to Tesi Niu, who went over for the try. 

It took the Panthers just over 10 minutes to respond, with Jerome Luai assessing all options before deciding to go himself and make a chinking run to his right, beating Staggs, Niu and Palasia on his way to the tryline. 

It looked as if it would be a tied ball game at the break, however the Panthers went into the sheds with the lead thanks to some Scott Sorenson individual brilliance, the former Shark stepping off his left foot to get into space and then beating Tesi Niu to the line. 

The second half was an arm wrestle for about 10 minutes, before Dylan Edwards and Keenan Palasia exchanged open hand slaps, resulting in both spending 10 minutes in the bin. 

The Panthers quickly gained momentum courtesy of a Koroisau break and a set restart, and it was too much for the Broncos to handle as the Panthers stripped them for numbers on the right, Charlie Staines the beneficiary as the winger went in for his second try of the year. 

The Panthers were rolling, and made another break in the next set. It ended in Cleary putting in a crossfield kick which Taylan May did an outstanding job in picking up, reminiscent to David Mead at Shark Park in 2011. 

The Broncos finally got the ball, however immediately knocked on in their own half, giving Liam Martin the chance to stroll over the line to make the score 28-6.

On the set from the kickoff, Cleary kicked a superb 40/20 and it looked as though the Panthers would be in again for all money, however the NSW halfback then threw an intercept to Corey Oates, and the Broncos used the resultant momentum to get on the attack, culminating in a Reynolds grubber for the in goal which Staggs was able to pounce on and make it a slightly more respectable scoreline.

It didn't last long however. A Broncos mistake and a Panthers set restart gave Spencer Leniu an opportunity to barge his way to the tryline. Izack Tago also got a penalty try with literal seconds to go, giving us the finals score of 40-12. 

Next week, the Broncos have a good chance to return to the winners circle against the Bulldogs at home, while the Panthers will host the Raiders on Sunday Afternoon.