LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
Last week, the NRL community was abuzz following an exhilarating Friday night double-header that showcased thrilling and high-quality finals football. The Panthers and Raiders engaged in a nail-biting contest that went into golden point extra time, culminating in an extraordinary finish. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs, initially trailing against the Storm at halftime, mounted an impressive comeback and nearly snatched victory.
However, the Panthers had other plans. The first indication something was amiss arose on Monday when various gambling agencies noted unusual betting patterns on the Bulldogs at an opening price of $2.30. This price rapidly diminished as whispers spread about the Panthers intending to rest key players. By Tuesday afternoon, the odds plummeted to $1.08 following the announcement of the Panthers' squad, which featured 16 players not included in the previous week's line-up. The gambling agencies were caught off guard as information leaked throughout the rugby league community.
This decision to rest an entire team was not only unexpected but also a significant disappointment for the game and the countless fans who support it. Many Panthers supporters praised head coach Ivan Cleary for his strategic brilliance, reinforcing the idea that the club operated within its rights and broke no rules in prioritizing a grueling finals run ahead.
As Thursday Night Football struggles to maintain its appeal, the Penrith NSW Cup team took to Accor Stadium to face the Bulldogs, who were striving to secure a Top 4 finish. The crowd of over 23,000 was decent, predominantly filled with Bulldogs fans excited about a rare opportunity to head to the finals. However, the atmosphere was lacking. The Bulldogs' victory felt inevitable, only contingent on them not experiencing a meltdown against their inexperienced opponents. Instead of a high-stakes finals preview, fans were treated to a match resembling a pre-season trial game.
The Bulldogs, keen to develop momentum heading into the finals, initially found it challenging to impose their dominance against the makeshift Panthers. A series of mistakes, combined with penalties and a "six again" call, put the home team under immense pressure, yet their celebrated defense held firm.
It was the Bulldogs who first found the scoreboard, with Josh Curren slicing through the defense before nearly misjudging his pass to Lachlan Galvin, who sprinted away. Despite the burgeoning attacks, the Panthers showcased their trademark defensive resilience, swarming in numbers. On the flip side, the Bulldogs, while hopeful of securing a Top 4 finish, struggled with their attack, encountering multiple roadblocks when tries seemed imminent.
As the match unfolded, frustration permeated the Bulldogs' ranks. Here they were, a Top 4-bound team grappling with an opponent comprised mostly of reserve graders.