SGBALL Penrith Panthers v Balmain Tigers 21/2 7:00pm1 HMATT Sydney Roosters v Penrith Panthers 22/2 10:30pm2 TGCUP Manly Warringah Sea Eagles v Penrith Panthers 22/2 1:30pm3 LFCUP Manly Warringah Sea Eagles v Penrith Panthers 22/2 12:00pm3
Weather
Partly Cloudy 24° ( Chance of Rain: 20% / Wind: E 14km/h)
Broadcast
Fox League (Channel 502) [LIVE] NRL Live Pass[LIVE] Kayo Sports[LIVE] ABC Sydney 702AM [LIVE] 2GB Sydney 873AM [LIVE] MMM Sydney 104.9FM [LIVE]
(1) SG Ball Cup to be played at Windsor Sporting Complex, Windsor NSW.
(2) Harold Matthews Cup to be played at Mascot Oval, Mascot NSW.
(3) Tarsha Gale Cup & Lisa Fiaola Cup to be played at 4 Pines Park, Brookvale NSW.
Witzer Pre-Season Challenge | Full Time
Penrith Panthers
38
Tries David Fale (2) Trent Toelau, Thomas Jenkins, Harrison Hassett, Preston Riki, Poutoa Hotere-Papalii. Goals Trent Toelau (3/4), Billy Scott (0/1), Zakauri Clarke (2/2)
The Vegas round has really hampered our preparation through this preseason. Many teams are lining up with strong squads or squads that mostly will take the field come Round 1.
We will be showcasing our reserve grade and up and comers. We have a situation that most of our First Grade squad won’t play their first match in 2025 till the Season starts.
I did read we played a regulation game with our NRL squad playing our NSW Cup. Hopefully that helped knock off some rust.
This year will probably be the biggest threat to the Panthers. Many teams have improved and the gap is tightening between us, the Storm and Daylight.
I doesn’t need to be said, but we need to hit the ground running this season.
Great showing from the cubs. Seemed like there was plenty of first graders in that Manly team, and our boys really stood their ground.
Also special shout-out to Poutua Hotere Papalii who scored a try tonight. He works in our Inclusion unit as a Teachers aid. True gentleman and works great with the kids. Hopefully he can make his full NRL debut this year!
I thought Toelau looked real sharp in the #7 tonight. He is pushing hard for a spot in the 17, and if he keeps the momentum up, he’ll get one.
I also thought Tom Jenkins had a great return to the Panthers as well. Probably the best footy I have seen him play since he left Penrith for Newcastle. Some of those leaps for the kick were phenomenal, definitely keep a eye on him, he might be knocking on the door of first grade as well.
Overall considering the weather and a lopsided Manly team the team held their nerve and applied pressure as well as the first grade side, communication from Toelau was good and the team had a good read on his actions, sadle the same cannot be said of Soni Luke who at times seemed like a fifth wheel.
Anyway… that’s a wrap on the Preseason… next stop the Season proper. The first grade side are now in Vegas and the countdown is on till the kickoff of Season 2025.
Trent may not have gone to Vegas, but without a doubt he is in the mix to partner Cleary, and replace him during injury/ origin etc.
One game does not make a season, but over the last year and this game I believe he has show he is better than Schneider.
Played a few games of the bench as a number 14 least year.
Good to see Tom show he slots straight back into the Penrith system. Not sure he will make the top 30 this year, but he’s giving it his best shot.
Stupid Manly fans winging their team was missing Turbo and DCE. Fact is their team was 50/50 first grade and reserves, ours was Flegg and Metro cup with a handful of cup players.
More a ready of development and were the club is at than any future first grade or even Cup preview, but still an impressive performance.
Didn’t see the game, just watched the highlights, but Toelau looked very good. I’ve had raps on him for a while. Hope he kicks on this year! I agree with SHF, Toelau is better than Schneider, IMHO (at this stage of their careers, anyway.)
Does anyone know who the Coach was last night? Credit to the Panther’s system, but the bloke in charge on the day should also get a bit of credit.
Not 100% sure, officially Ivan Cleary is named in the NRL teamlist, but with the first grade coaching staff in Vegas, I would assume the coach was NSW Cup coach Ben Harden.
Thanks, Steve. Whoever it was, they helped get the best out of the side & a couple of players really boosted their prospects. I’m thinking Toelau & Jenkins mainly but, as I said, I didn’t see the game. I’m sure there were others.
Anyway, credit where it’s due. Job well done!
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Match
Venue
Time
Tickets
Weather
Partly Cloudy 24° (
Chance of Rain: 20% / 
Wind: E 14km/h)
Broadcast
NRL Live Pass [LIVE]
Kayo Sports [LIVE]
ABC Sydney 702AM [LIVE]
Friday 21/2 6:00pm
Promoted/Relegated | 
Positional Change
Teams and Match Officials have been updated.
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