Game Summary
The Penrith Panthers delivered a commanding Round Five performance in The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup, running out 40-12 winners over the Melbourne Storm at CommBank Stadium on Good Friday.
The Panthers made the perfect start, with fullback Jaxen Edgar crossing in the ninth minute after a sharp kick chase saw Jesse McLean tip a Jack Cole kick back into the in-goal. Edgar — who now has five tries in 10 NSW Cup appearances — capitalised on the moment to hand Penrith an early four-nil lead, though Zak Clarke missed the conversion attempt from the sideline.
The lead was extended in the 15th minute when some slick ball movement down the left edge found Jesse McLean, who finished off a try that owed much to an unselfish tip-on pass from Patrick Moimoi. Clarke converted to make it 10-0 and the Panthers' back five were proving a constant threat.
A repeat set gift led to the third try in the 21st minute, as Sione Fonua sliced through a hole created by an arrowhead set-up on the Panthers' left edge. Clarke converted again to push the margin to 16-nil and the Storm were struggling to contain Penrith's outside backs.
The Storm hit back through Mitchell Jennings just before the break, finishing off a grubber kick from Trent Toelau that sat up invitingly in the in-goal. Trent Toelau converted to make it 16-6 at half-time, giving the Storm hope heading into the second half.
Penrith resumed control in the second half, with Fonua crossing for his second try — a reward for another clinical left-edge set play — to push the lead to 22-6. Melbourne struck back when Eli Morris dummied his way over close to the posts and converted his own try to close the gap to 22-12. But the Panthers responded emphatically.
Kurt Falls scored in the 60th minute as the Storm's defensive line collapsed, before Elie El-Zakhem — on debut for Penrith — took a short ball from Jack Cole to grab his first try as a Panther and push the score to 40-12. Clarke converted three of the second-half conversions while Falls slotted one of his own.
The full-time whistle was blown to confirm a 40-12 victory that gave the Panthers their third win of the season — and ensured Melbourne remained winless since Round Three.
Talking Points
- Jaxen Edgar was electric at the back for Penrith. Fearless under the high ball and always dangerous in kick-return situations, he was involved in the lead-up to several tries and continued his impressive try-scoring record with a fifth in 10 games.
- Jesse McLean's performance was another reminder of his threat on the left wing. Averaging 197 run metres per game in this year's NSW Cup, he was a constant threat and showed his defensive value too with a crucial tackle on a near-certain Storm try early in the match.
- Zak Clarke was outstanding with the boot, slotting five conversions from difficult positions including efforts from close to the sideline. His work under the high ball was equally impressive throughout.
- Kalani Going was a constant handful in the middle for Penrith, regularly spinning out of tackles and keeping the ball alive in the ruck. He was one of the few players on the field with a NSW Cup premiership to his name — having captained the Warriors to the title last year.
Key Moment
The knock-on by Melbourne from the restart with five minutes after half-time proved decisive. Gifting Penrith possession deep in Storm territory at a critical juncture, it denied the Storm any momentum they had built from the Jennings try and set up a period of Panthers pressure that emphasised their dominance going into the break.
What's next?
The Panthers will look to build on their third win of the season when they take on the Caterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in Round Six of The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup. The Melbourne Storm, still searching for consistency as they take on the New Zealand Warriors next week.
