Penrith v Rabbitohs

Penrith v Rabbitohs

It wasn’t the result we were after the other night. Although it wasn’t all disappointment. There were still plenty of things to like.

We were really up against it off the back of the injuries from the previous game. Losing both Junior Tatola and Jai Arrow from the Sharks game along with the other forwards that were missing meant that the depth of the forwards was going to be further tested.

It is bad enough having that many forwards out due to injury against any team, but to be against the benchmark of the competition would be a mammoth task. Not to mention having to do it on a 5 day turnaround.

We Knew It Was Coming

In the end it proved to be a mountain too hard to climb. 

You could see that the Panthers pack were on from the first set. They were doing everything at speed. After the talk during the week leading up to the game and their 2 losses at home you knew it was coming. 

We struggled to keep up with them. Somehow though we just kept holding on with our defence. Silly errors weren’t helping though. Continuing to put ourselves under pressure.

Shaq Impressed

Even though the forwards were under so much pressure there were things to like. Shaq again impressed and was the pick of the forwards. All that hard work is really starting to pay off. When our players come back it is going to be hard not to have a spot for him on the bench.

Michael Chee Kam was another who had a good game for us. No doubt there were questions about him after last season. He has certainly put his hand up to be in our 17 each week.

The Big Play

The big play was just before halftime. Again we seem to give up a try right before the break. That is the 3rd game in a row where we have done that. Last week and the preliminary final. Something we really need to rectify. Although the try should have been called back by what was a blatant knock on. I still don’t know how that wasn’t called back.

Going into the break 4-0 down after all the ball and field position the Panthers had would have been huge for the boys. In the end that ended up being the difference in the game. 

The 2nd Half

In the second half it was more of the same. We just couldn’t get in the game. To the Panthers credit they never allowed us to. Another try and it was 16-0. 

One thing that stood out to me was the boys never gave up and they kept themselves in the game through their defence. None better than the try saver by Latrell on Luke Garner in the first half. I thought defensively we were very good. 

Finally we see some good ball and field position and good lead up work by Latrell and Chee Kam saw the ball finally go to AJ to score his first try out at Penrith. It’s hard to believe that’s his first try there. He has a good try scoring record against the Panthers.

Latrell had the kick from the sideline to bring us within 10. I saw someone mention about his streak earlier that day. Including the Charity Shield he kicked 31 straight goals. You just know that as soon as it is spoken about he was going to miss. Of course he missed and the streak ended.

Tass Brilliance

Then there was the brilliant try to Isaiah Tass. Then the conversion by Latrell and we were only down by 6 with one set to take the game into golden point. 

You could see the team all lift from there. We were able to get ourselves within range for one last shot. Kick went through only for Dylan Edwards to clean up. It wasn’t to be. 

Somehow our defence that kept us in the game allowed us to make a game of it in the end. 

With our pack getting dominated it was hard work for the backs getting clean ball. Ilias certainly was struggling. There were a few poor choices and poor kicks. One thing I did notice is how much higher he is getting his kicks this year.

Cody was frustrated and took the bait. We know teams are going to try and get under Cody’s skin. It can go one of two ways. It can be his kryptonite or his spinach. You can never fault his competitive nature though. 

Campbell Graham was the stand out for me. His hits in defence were massive. His ability to drive players back on the kick returns. I said it last week. The World Cup experience has taken him to the next level.

The Roosters

Now it’s on to the Roosters. We should be getting a couple of players back next week. No doubt it is a game we all look forward to. 

On a side note. The racial abuse that Latrell copped at halftime is disgraceful. There is no place for it in the game or in society in general. It’s a credit to Latrell for how he handled himself and the situation. After the game asking them not to comment about it in interviews. The way he came out and played in the second half shows more about him than anything else. He is a credit to himself, his family, the Rabbitohs and the indigenous community.

Penrith v Rabbitohs

By Josh Kemp for Bunnies TV.