'Haven't seen this for years': Phil Gould stunned as 'frantic' Panthers suffer third-straight loss
Updated . First published at
Penrith have been left completely stunned on Thursday night, losing their third-straight game as the red-hot Rabbitohs ran rampant in a shocking first-half onslaught.
South Sydney took advantage of a team missing Nathan Cleary and Dylan Edwards - but the visitors did themselves no favours in a disastrous effort at Accor Stadium.
The hosts raced out to an emphatic 28-0 lead at the break - the biggest losing half-time deficit the Panthers had suffered in seven years.
READ MORE: 'Won't be coming': Top club exit race to sign DCE
READ MORE: Lawson's demotion confirmed as rival earns new seat
READ MORE: Legend's son scores 'brilliant' century in Shield final
Keaon Koloamatangi bagged a double in the opening half an hour, before Jye Gray extended South Sydney's lead right before the players went into the sheds.
Keaon Koloamatangi celebrates a try against the Panthers. Getty
When the two sides went into the sheds, Penrith had just 28 per cent of possession, coming up with eight errors and conceding five penalties.
At one stage, Paul Alamoti kicked the ball dead on the full, while the likes of Liam Martin and Daine Laurie came up with uncharacteristic mistakes inside their own half.
"Panthers are in a frantic, submissive sort of mood," Phil Gould said on Nine.
"We haven't seen this for years. They are being out-muscled and out-enthused."
Watch the 2025 NRL premiership live and free on Nine and 9Now.
The errors started to creep in for the Bunnies early in the second half, inviting the Panthers back into the contest as Martin and Brad Schneider kick-started a comeback.
Moses Leota looked to have narrowed the margin to less than two converted tries at the hour mark, but referee Ashley Klein and the Bunker denied the front-rower.
"That's alright - hand on the ball, ball on the ground - fun police" Gould said.
Moses Leota is denied a try. Nine
That decision to deny Leota a crucial try seemingly took the wind out of Penrith's sails, with errors and forced passes starting to hurt any chance of a late comeback as the cardinal and myrtle held on for the crucial 28-18 win.
"We were just frantic on our line and we don't have enough resilience at the moment," Isaah Yeo told Nine post-game.
"We are shooting ourselves in the foot. We did about everything we could do wrong.
"We did a bit better in the second half, but the damage was done."
To make matters worse for the champs, Brian To'o left the field late in the game with a fresh hamstring injury, while Scott Sorensen was knocked out in the early stages.
"Soz looks alright but it was a cat one, so he won't be playing," Ivan Cleary said.
"I don't really know about Bizza yet. Great night of footy really."
South Sydney have now won three out of their first four matches to the surprise of many, despite missing Latrell Mitchell and Cameron Murray.
The superstar Bunnies fullback is expected back in round five against the Roosters.
