Penrith Panthers

Panthers too strong for Roosters as Luai doubles up

The premiers have lost just one game all season and have given themselves some breathing space as they head towards the Origin period when their depth will be tested.

The Roosters had the first chance to post points in the seventh minute but Joseph Suaalii was denied by superb cover defence from Taylan May and Dylan Edwards.

Penrith got across the line in the 25th minute but Izack Tago was held up by James Tedesco as both defences stood tall.

Roosters v Panthers: Butcher in for Radley; Premiers unchanged

They look to be settling into a groove though with two wins on the bounce and the form of Joseph Suaalii and Sam Walker in Magic Round will give them plenty of confidence as they prepare to tackle the premiers.

Penrith could not have been any more impressive in dismantling the Storm and they now sit alone at the top of the table as they close in on the testing State of Origin period when a number of their stars will be called up.

Panthers bounce back to overpower Storm

The clash of the co-competition leaders had been billed as the match of the season but Melbourne lost Kiwis halfback Jahrome Hughes before kick off with a calf injury.

With star fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen and strike centre Reimis Smith already out their attack was stifled.

Rookies Cooper Johns and Tyran Wishart were called up to replace Hughes and Papenhuyzen, but the sons of former Kangaroos, Matt Johns and Rod Wishart, had a tough night as Penrith roared to their ninth win of the season.

Storm v Panthers: Wishart to fullback; Sorensen back on deck

With both sides boasting 8-1 records and sitting first and second on the ladder the hype will build throughout the week before the last two premiers square off on Saturday night.

For 2020 champions Melbourne, the injuries to star fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen and centre Reimis Smith leaves a couple of big holes to fill but such is their depth that few expect them to miss a beat.

Eels stun Panthers to win Battle of the West

The Eels trailed 14-10 midway through the second half in front of a record sold-out crowd in Penrith before two pieces of brilliance from Ryan Matterson and Dylan Brown proved the difference in the end. 

With the match sold out more than a week ago, the Eels were reeling after their 35-4 loss to the Cowboys in Darwin last week and muscled up in defence to sap the Panthers late.

Panthers v Eels: Double boost for Penrith; Opacic returns

In their way is an Eels side who were pummelled by the Cowboys in Darwin last week but have shown in western Sydney derbies in the past that these two sides put up a fight with every game played.

The Panthers knocked the Eels out of the finals last year, adding fuel for the blue and gold, who haven't beaten the 2021 champions since 2020, while Brad Arthur's side will be looking to get back into the top four after slipping to fifth. 

Cleary kicks Panthers to eighth straight win

The premiers made 12 errors and missed 53 tackles but were still good enough to turn their first half-time deficit of the season into their eighth straight win.

In the opening exchanges the Panthers mounted pressure with two line dropouts forced but the Titans held firm and worked their way into good attacking position, only for a couple of errors from Toby Sexton to take the wind out of their sails.

The Panthers got across the line in the 22nd minute through Dylan Edwards but the try was denied by the bunker for obstruction by Nathan Cleary.

Titans v Panthers: Holbrook shuffles the deck; Premiers unchanged

The Titans will need to produce a stunning form turnaround if they hope to end the Panthers' unbeaten start to the season.

After six rounds of tight contests in which their biggest winning margin was two points and their biggest loss was eight points, Justin Holbrook's men were humbled 30-4 by the Cowboys - hardly the ideal build-up for a clash with the premiers.

In stark contrast, the Panthers are flying at 7-0 and looking extremely ominous as they go in search of back-to-back titles.

Six of the best: Panthers down Broncos to remain unbeaten

With Scott Sorensen playing a starring role from the bench and Api Koroisau controlling the ruck the Panthers kicked away in the second half to rack up their 20th win on the trot at home.

A confident start by the Broncos was rewarded with first points in the 11th minute when Tesi Niu crossed after Kotoni Staggs left Izack Tago and Jarome Luai in his wake before offloading to his fullback.

The Panthers clicked into gear in the 21st minute when Luai beat a couple of defenders on his way to the line and scores were level at 6-6.

Panthers v Broncos: Premiers unchanged; Jensen in for Haas

An eight-point loss in round six and a six-point loss in round 19 ranked as two of the Broncos' best showings in a season which saw them win just seven games on their way to finishing 14th.

Hopes were high of a new dawn at Red Hill in 2022 with Adam Reynolds and Kurt Capewell joining a roster that already boasted Payne Haas and Kotoni Staggs but three straight losses have taken the shine off a promising 2-0 start.