The Panthers have delivered a Shark Park masterclass, downing Cronulla 42-0 after a horror injury blow to superstar halfback Nicho Hynes.
With Michael Maguire watching on from the stands, Hynes left the field for a HIA in the first half before it was confirmed he wouldn’t return.
He remained sidelined due to calf tightness, with Sharks medicos opting to put him on ice due to the ballooning score line which was Penrith’s biggest ever win in the Shire.
MATCH CENTRE: Sharks v Panthers, scores, stats
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However, it’s worrying signs for Maguire less than 24 hours out from picking his NSW team, with Hynes the frontrunner to win the No.7 jersey ahead of the series opener.
The first four-pointer came through a smart Mitch Kenny pass to find prop James Fisher-Harris rampaging through the middle of the park.
The next saw Jarome Luai, who is another Origin hopeful in the No.6 jersey, dance through the Cronulla defence in impressive fashion.
“Maguire watching on, just 24 hours away from selection. He will be highly impressed by what he’s seen early,” Michael Ennis said.
Former Bulldog Paul Alamoti crossed next, before Dylan Edwards barged his way over on the right side of the field.
Edwards has been locked in a heated battle for the Blues’ fullback spot with incumbent James Tedesco, and the Panthers gun did nothing to hurt his credentials against Cronulla.
Young gun Jack Cole also scored seconds before halftime, finishing off his own kick with deflected off a Sharks defender and fell into his path.
He completed his best performance in first grade on Saturday night, assisting two tries to go with his four-pointer which saw the Panthers lead 28-0 at the break.
After half time a Kenny kick put Liam Henry through to score under the posts, while Scott Sorensen came back to haunt his former side.
He flew onto a kick, dicing between Sharks defenders to score a hand the Panthers a 40-point deficit, compounding Cronulla’s woes.
A penalty goal then pushed the difference out to 42 — Penrith’s biggest ever win at Cronulla.
To close out the clash, Moses Leota was sent to the sin bin for forceful contact to Jesse Ramien’s head.
MAGUIRE’S NICHO NIGHTMARE
Pre-match, Nicho Hynes basically had the NSW No. 7 jersey but a poor performance capped off by a calf issue must now have Maguire scratching his head.
Hynes made several errors with the boot and went off in the 33rd minute for a HIA after copping a knee to the head from Isaah Yeo.
His troublesome calf was tight in the sheds and he didn’t return in the second half as per club medicos orders.
What’s more is Maguire made it clear mid-week he doesn’t want to select players who are hampered by a niggling injury.
“I’d like them up and running to start with,” Maguire told The Big Sports Breakfast.
“You don’t have a lot of time with them on the field. Using Cody as an example, I’ve been very transparent with a lot of the players and where they’re at.
“You just never know what could happen this weekend. I’ve got a pretty open mind about where we’re at. I’m very lucky I’ve got great players in good form.”
However, with Mitchell Moses and Nathan Cleary both sidelined, he may have no choice but to pick Hynes.
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THE UNHERALDED PANTHERS GUN
Michael Maguire has a wealth of talent to pick from in the No.9 jersey, but legendary hooker Michael Ennis believes Panthers gun Mitch Kenny has been flying under the radar.
The 26-year-old has been a consistent figure for Penrith, starting in their last two grand final victories and becoming the club’s first-choice hooker since the departure of Api Koroisau.
Kenny works tirelessly in the middle of the park and played a crucial role in the Panthers’ win over the Sharks, setting up James Fisher-Harris for the first try of the evening.
He also kicked for a Liam Henry try, and while Koroisau looks to have the Blues’ No.9 jersey locked down, Ennis believes Kenny should be considered by NSW selectors.
“It’s the work from the little No.9 from Penrith around the ruck… number of good dummy halves in the conversation for Origin. Robson, Koroisau, Brailey,” Ennis said.
“And the form of Kenny just can’t go unnoticed either, he’s just a tireless worker through the middle. He’s really found a home in this Panthers’ No.9 spot.”
Kenny finished the night with 34 tackles and 0 misses to go with a pair of try assists.
COMPARE THE PAIR
Dylan Edwards and James Tedesco have been locked in a heated fullback battle over the past four rounds.
Both players have had a chance to stake their claim to wear the No.1 jersey. So who has done enough to win the coveted spot?
Tedesco was excellent in the Roosters’ win over the Raiders, scoring a pair of tries and setting up three more.
He also had four line break assists in his best performance so far in 2024. It was then up to Edwards to respond, and he did so in fine fashion.
He scored a try, ran for 225 metres and broke nine tackles to go with a pair of line breaks.
Only one thing’s for certain ahead of the NSW team selections. It’s not a decision many would want to make.
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Source Agencies
