The Penrith Panthers sent a strong message in their season opener, overpowering the Brisbane Broncos with a decisive 26-0 victory that showcased their defensive strength and offensive creativity.
Dylan Edwards emerged as a key figure in this match, reminding fans of his explosive potential, marking a promising start to the season as he resumes his role as the top fullback for both state and nation.
After a challenging end to the previous season, which saw him lose his green and gold jersey to Reece Walsh, Edwards seemed to tap into the form that made him a lethal threat on the field.
Wearing the fullback jersey confidently, he amassed an impressive 260 run metres and scored a pivotal try in the first half, slipping past the Broncos' defense to establish an early advantage.
Despite some minor errors, Edwards frequently proved to be a threat, earning recognition from teammates and coaches for his contributions.
"Dyl has worked really hard. His pre-season was really strong, definitely better than last year for just a bunch of different reasons. I think he's ready for a big year," Cleary noted.
Reflecting on the previous season, Edwards recognized the challenges and his commitment to improvement.
"I finished the year sub-par, lost a bit of passion throughout last year as well, so I wanted to have a good pre-season and play well this year. I still have plenty to work on... far from a complete performance. (As a team) we came up here, we got a job done, and that's what we came here to do," Edwards expressed after the match.
Praising Edwards' talent and influence, Panthers captain Nathan Cleary highlighted the impact he had on the game.