Mean streak: Panthers rack up 11th straight win in another spite night
Table-toppers Penrith marched to an 11th straight win as their spiteful rivalry with Wests Tigers threatened to boil over again.
The Panthers had to work hard for their latest 30-6 victory as the Tigers arrived at the foot of the mountains ready to play – and niggle.
Joey Leilua could be in trouble for a shoulder charge on Penrith fullback Dylan Edwards in the first half. Leilua flattened Edwards off the ball when they last met in round eight and copped a month-long suspension.
He also ran Stephen Crichton off the ball late in the game that led to a penalty try, and looked ready to erupt at any stage as the result was well and truly put to bed.
Adam Douehi and Brent Naden only had eyes for each other while Moses Mbye even had the nerve to shirt-front the club's golden boy Nathan Cleary.
The 3699 fans almost wanted to jump the fence when the halfback was being roughed up after Mbye nearly took him out with a stray boot.
For all the effort and intent by the Tigers, they were never going to match the class of their rivals. This could easily be the year of the Panther.
There was no love lost again between the Tigers and Panthers on Saturday night.Credit:Getty
Jarome Luai was excellent. So, too, winger Brian To'o, who scored a deserved try in his return from an ankle injury. Edwards survived the heavy treatment to run for 224 m with four tackle busts.
Penrith will finish the weekend with their three-point buffer at the top of the ladder still intact.
A 12th consecutive win looks a formality when they take on the bumbling Broncos at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday night.
While Penrith are all but certain to lose Isaah Yeo to concussion because of the five-day turnaround, Billy Kikau returns from suspension, along with Api Koroisau from a calf injury.
TV network executives must be tempted to ask coach Ivan Cleary to keep the star pair on ice in a bid to make the prime-time match-up a fair fight.
The Tigers started with plenty of purpose and had the first points after a Benji Marshall kick early in the tackle count for an unmarked David Nofoaluma.
Nofoaluma racked up his 14th try for the year as Penrith conceded points inside the opening 20 minutes for the first time since round one.
Luai got Penrith back level on the scoreboard when he did well to step off his left foot and then right before reaching out to score with Matt Eisenhuth and Harry Grant clinging to his legs.
Luai then almost turned provider when he drifted across field and put Tyrone May into a gap. Doueihi produced a fantastic tackle on May to deny what looked a certain four-pointer.
The Tigers could not hold out Liam Martin a minute later.
Doueihi was sent to the sin bin just before half-time and spent a large chunk of the second half posted at left centre with Mbye moved to fullback. It was an unhappy night for the young No.1. He is down on confidence.
The Tigers conceded more than 20 points for a fifth straight week. Coach Michael Maguire, who looked like he needed a hug just before the break, would have been proud of the effort but disappointed again with another blowout scoreline. It is not what he is about.
Their finals hopes were already on life support and have now officially flatlined.
There is no fresh talent to blood over the next month, starting with Manly next week.
The Panthers, however, are certainly loving their football. It is wonderful to see every player make a point of congratulating their tryscorers. The fans flew their flags as Josh Mansour scored right on the full-time siren and dared to dream big.
They have every chance of winning their remaining four games against the Broncos, Parramatta, North Queensland and Canterbury.
Beyond that who knows?