Imagine the Panthers psychological advantage if they had somehow snuck away with another win on Thursday night. Melbourne might now have one of their own.
For Melbourne and Craig Bellamy, Thursday night’s win over Penrith mattered more to them than it did the Panthers.Nathan Cleary’s right shoulder
Penrith have had their measure since the 2020 decider. The psychological advantage would have only grown considerably if they’d snuck away with another last-gasp win. He ended up making twice as many kick return metres as he usually would, but those carries took him out of action for plays two and three - where his leg speed and post-contact metres are most effective.
From the next play, Jarome Luai was under such kick pressure that he shovelled a ball wide for Mavrick Geyer to kick downfield - the kind of yardage battle Penrith have so rarely lost in recent years. A centre like Stephen Crichton had previously been paired with To’o to combat aerial assaults. And not for nothing, Martin and Sorensen have helped put pressure on rival kickers when they try to put To’o on the spot.
And a deliberate switch from the high kicks of Hughes designed to give his chasers ample time to swarm Penrith’s kick returns, this punt took time in the air away from the Panthers.Then with ball-in-hand, Munster and Tyran Wishart exploited rare chinks in the best defence of the past five years, though once again the absences of Martin and Sorensen played their part.is the same that’s powered Penrith all this time.
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