Written by Megan Taylor, sports reporter covering international sports since 2020
Penrith Panthers recovered from a 12-0 deficit to defeat Parramatta Eels 24-18 at CommBank Stadium on Thursday, surviving two sin bins to move four competition points clear at the top of the NRL ladder.
Thomas Jenkins was sin-binned for impeding Brian Kelly late in the first half. Isaiah Papali’i followed after blocking Mitchell Moses.
The debate followed Wayne Bennett dismissing a proposed Latrell Mitchell contract clause earlier in the week.
Cleary Makes World Cup Comparison
“I think if you put a hand on someone, the gun’s loaded, so see you later. Regardless of anything else. That’s all I can assume,” Ivan Cleary said.
“I was just going to say I’ve been watching the World Cup for a while, they’d have a lot of blokes in the bin wouldn’t they?”
Penrith Panthers conceded a late Jack Williams try but held on for their 14th victory, according to the official NRL match report.
Left Edge Remains a Concern
Parramatta Eels repeatedly attacked the Penrith Panthers left edge, forcing Casey McLean to make 27 tackles compared with nine for Paul Alamoti on the right.
“Yes,” Ivan Cleary flatly replied when asked about that defensive channel.
Blaize Talagi’s decisions under pressure were tested, although Penrith Panthers still owned the competition’s second-best left-edge defensive record.
Thomas Jenkins then scored his 26th try of the season, passing Rhys Wesser’s previous Penrith Panthers record of 25 from 2003.