Round 14
Panthers 10 l. Dragons 20

2006 NRL Telstra Premiership Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: Aus_NZ > National > First Grade Competition: NRL Telstra Premiership

Dragons put pay to woeful Panthers
Sun June 11, 2006
St George Illawarra has just about ended Penrith's season with a 20-10 victory at CUA Stadium last night in a match where the Panthers were absolutely dreadful and cracks in the club are starting to emerge.

Penrith officials behind the back of coach John Lang removed him from the top position at the beginning of the year for the 2007 season and whilst it didn't have major problems at the beginning, the dramas behind Lang's sacking are set to emerge with the Panthers playing a mistake riddled and disinterested brand of football. Penrith had a great chance last night to keep their season alive with the Dragons missing several players due to State of Origin, injuries and suspension. However, the Panthers were never in the contest and the 20-10 scoreline flattered their performance.

The Dragons lost Ben Creagh and Corey Payne in the opening two minutes when both players clashed heads when making a tackle on Nick Youngquest. Payne would later return in the match whereas Creagh didn't make it back onto the field. Aaron Gorrell opened the scoring for the Dragons with a penalty goal right in front and soon after St George Illawarra scored the opening try when Dean Young sliced through some sloppy defence to crossover near the posts. Young was again the spark for the Dragons in their second try when he sliced the Panthers defence open and found Matt Bickerstaff in support who scored.

Penrith scored on the eve of halftime when Luke Swain crashed over to give them a small glimmer of hope trailing 14-6 at the break.

The second half was depressing as Penrith made error after effort and once the Dragons went to a 20-6 lead with a Daryl Millard try, it was all over for the game and Penrith's season.

Luke Rooney scored outwide to reduce the score to 20-10, however the Panthers were never a chance with their performance, attitude and elementry errors. The dramas involving the back stabbing manevouring in Lang earlier in the year and the way it was all handled. Both Parramatta and Penrith were going to implode this year in the way they handled their coaching changes. The Eels imploded first where Brian Smith was forced out the door and now the pressure on Lang will be unbearable.

The victory for the Dragons was an important one during the State of Origin period and they are coming along nicely as they make a tilt for the title this year that has eluded the star-studded line up in recent years.

Dragons coach Nathan Brown said, "We did lose some blokes at the start of the game, which made us push some of our young blokes along. I thought they did a great job. Our defence was great. The guys training and attitude in the last five weeks has been the best it's been since I've been here."

Advanced Search