Panthers new favourites to win NRL after clinic against Roosters

The Penrith Panthers have bunny-hopped the Melbourne Storm in betting markets to win the 2024 NRL Premiership after defeating the Sydney Roosters 30-10 at BlueBet Stadium on Friday evening.

The win was Penrith’s 10th straight finals victory and sees NRL betting sites tighten their odds to win their fourth consecutive Premiership from $3.10 to $2.40.

Melbourne, who play the Cronulla Sharks later this weekend, remain firm at $2.50.

It was a clinical performance from the Panthers against the third-placed Roosters, who now have to play in next week’s semi-finals to keep their 2024 season alive.

The home side hit the ground running on Friday night, crossing over four times in the opening 22 minutes to take an unassailable 24-0 lead into the break.

While the Panthers then eased off and the Roosters launched a brief comeback early in the second half, any momentum was stymied by a controversial forward pass call.

With the Roosters trailing 24-10 and 17 minutes left on the clock, Daniel Tupou and James Tedesco combined for a Sydney break, with Tedesco putting Sua’ali’i into a hole, clear of any Penrith defenders.

However, Sua’ali’I was called back with the pass judged forward.

Replays showed that the pass was marginal at best, with Roosters’ coach Trent Robinson blasting the referee in his post-match comments.

“I didn’t think it was forward,” said Robinson.

“I don’t think anyone thought it was forward except for the ref.

“Even looking at the replays and the angle of the pass, that’s a big call at that moment and you can’t get that wrong.”

Captain Tedesco agreed, saying that he “didn’t think it was forward”.

“We could have scored off the back of it, it could have been a different contest,” he continued.

“I didn’t agree with the whistle.”

Had the Roosters scored off the play, the score would likely have been 24-16 with more than quarter of an hour remaining.

Instead, the Panthers ran in another try to make the final score 30-10.

“It felt really good and I wouldn’t have come out here if I didn’t feel confident,” declared halfback Nathan Cleary, who had been under an injury cloud heading into the match.

“It was mad aye, it’s the best fun out here especially at home.

“This crowd is just amazing and to top it off with a win is even sweeter.”

Penrith will now have a week off before the preliminary finals in two weeks’ time.

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