Match 2025 NRL Round 1 - Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks vs Penrith Panthers, 8:30pm Saturday 1-Mar-2025 @ Allegiant Stadium Las Vegas (3:30pm Sunday Sydney)

[MrDravid]

I'd imagine Dykes and Puru are the jets halves to start out.

Is Dykes fit?

 

[Western Sharkie]

Is Dykes fit?

He said he was hoping to be ready rnd 1 (2 at the latest)

 

[Greg86]

Looking back I’m disappointed we let in the tries out wide. They talked about a narrow field yet we were stripped easily on a few occasions.

That’s just another feather in the panthers hat. They did well to suck our guys in.

It looked at times we were bunched and needed that extra space when attacking.

 

[Sharkbyte]

For those who went to the game, how was the atmosphere at the stadium?

Amazing stadium, was a lot noisier earlier but definitely plenty left B4 our game, mainly Wah supporters...too many games to watch all 4 w interest, no need for the girls especially w that gap in talent

 

[apezza]

Finally got to watch the game without emotion and obviously knowing the result.

After reading many comments (most in the heat of battle) here are my 2 cents worth:

1. I thought we were closer to winning than I originally felt. 2 crucial errors led directly to trys (kick out on full and Ronnie's brain snap). That was 12 points and probably the match.

There's always going to be errors but until we eliminate these we won't be a genuine top 2 team.

2. On that, Ronnie needs to be simply better than that. He is a 100+ gamer and is inexcusable. He then gets hot headed and jams in on Edwards (even though Iro had him covered)

3. Kennedy - Really don't get the negativity on his performance. Stopped a deadset try and 40/20, put his body on the line to slow down Liam Martin (who was smashing him all game), nearly had a try assists with his grubber and was the perfect decoy out the back for Iro's try.

Oh - he also defused 100% bombs with the hardest second rower in the comp o ly ever a fraction of a second away.

4. Need to get Sifa on earlier and more involved. He should be on first (not Tom). I thought when Tom came on there was too much of a drop in intensity.

Tom's first run was a bit sluggish and he was too slow at marker coming across to help AFB for Yow's try.

Bring Sifa on first for 7-8 mins at front row then slip him back to lock when Cam comes off.

Or bring Sifa into second row and push Wilton up (won't happen).

5. On interchanges, we missed a fast firing Toby coming off the bench. I hope he can get back near his best.

6. I would rather Tuks than Atko. If we get caught out one game because we lose a half than so be it.

7. Most importantly, we came back twice after Penriff scores two repeat tries against us. This shows how much we have grown. Go back the last 3 years or so and when that happened we lose by 30.

 

[Shark74]

We play like we did yesterday we get the job done against every team but Melbourne and Panthers hopefully come round 10-12 we get to that next level I believe this team has it in them to do so..

 

[Super Impose]

Would love to see the ball put high in the air for the last second Hail Mary.

Nearly every team and playmaker tries the grubber or chip kick .

Punt high and follow on/ who knows what could happen ..

 

[Wilson]

Would love to see the ball put high in the air for the last second Hail Mary.

Nearly every team and playmaker tries the grubber or chip kick .

Punt high and follow on/ who knows what could happen ..

The chip / grubber was the play with the defensive line up and the fastest player on the park outside

 

[Bundy Shark]

Finally got to watch the game without emotion and obviously knowing the result.

After reading many comments (most in the heat of battle) here are my 2 cents worth:

1. I thought we were closer to winning than I originally felt. 2 crucial errors led directly to trys (kick out on full and Ronnie's brain snap). That was 12 points and probably the match.

There's always going to be errors but until we eliminate these we won't be a genuine top 2 team.

2. On that, Ronnie needs to be simply better than that. He is a 100+ gamer and is inexcusable. He then gets hot headed and jams in on Edwards (even though Iro had him covered)

3. Kennedy - Really don't get the negativity on his performance. Stopped a deadset try and 40/20, put his body on the line to slow down Liam Martin (who was smashing him all game), nearly had a try assists with his grubber and was the perfect decoy out the back for Iro's try.

Oh - he also defused 100% bombs with the hardest second rower in the comp o ly ever a fraction of a second away.

4. Need to get Sifa on earlier and more involved. He should be on first (not Tom). I thought when Tom came on there was too much of a drop in intensity.

Tom's first run was a bit sluggish and he was too slow at marker coming across to help AFB for Yow's try.

Bring Sifa on first for 7-8 mins at front row then slip him back to lock when Cam comes off.

Or bring Sifa into second row and push Wilton up (won't happen).

5. On interchanges, we missed a fast firing Toby coming off the bench. I hope he can get back near his best.

6. I would rather Tuks than Atko. If we get caught out one game because we lose a half than so be it.

7. Most importantly, we came back twice after Penriff scores two repeat tries against us. This shows how much we have grown. Go back the last 3 years or so and when that happened we lose by 30.

Good analysis mate, maybe we should all sit back before we critique
I like everything you said bar the Toby thing, for me, he has to really pick up his game & do it more consistently than what he’s done for a while now.

 

[Bundy Shark]

We play like we did yesterday we get the job done against every team but Melbourne and Panthers hopefully come round 10-12 we get to that next level I believe this team has it in them to do so..

I want us to dig a bit deeper than that, for me, I want us to be clinical every game, regardless of the opposition or how much star power they have.
If we take that mindset our style of play or approach then becomes habitual, much like it is now but for the wrong reasons, we get to big games & find ways to shoot ourselves in the foot.

 

[Bundy Shark]

The chip / grubber was the play with the defensive line up and the fastest player on the park outside

Yeh, initially I wanted us to put it through the hands & hot potato it but if Nicho executes the right kick & we engage the defensive line properly it’s the right play with the best chance of getting a good result.

 

[apezza]

Good analysis mate, maybe we should all sit back before we critique
I like everything you said bar the Toby thing, for me, he has to really pick up his game & do it more consistently than what he’s done for a while now.

Agree. I'm talking peak Toby where he increased the tempo when he came on. Not sure if we will ever see it unfortunately.

 

[jim schwarz]

With just over a minute to full time -Penrith pushed a pass that went forward and yet Klein ruled play on for Penrith, WTF!

 

[apezza]

With just over a minute to full time -Penrith pushed a pass that went forward and yet Klein ruled play on for Penrith, WTF!

Was that the one that looked like a blatant knock on and they regathered and kept running?

 

[jim schwarz]

Was that the one that looked like a blatant knock on and they regathered and kept running?

Yep - Should have been a turn over instead of Panthers making 20M up field

 

[bort]

Yeah that gets called knock on 99/100 from what I saw of it live (haven’t rewatched)

 

[apezza]

Yeah that gets called knock on 99/100 from what I saw of it live (haven’t rewatched)

Meanwhile, Cam gets pinged, stop in play but wasn't allowed to challenge...

 

[jim schwarz]

Daine Laurie's try with 4 mins to go there was no sighting of Ronaldo ? With the score at 22-28 and 1.30 mins to go Ramian tries to beat 4 or 5 Panther defenders on the line, he never thought of passing, to which it seemed Nickora questioned him

 

[bort]

Daine Laurie's try with 4 mins to go there was no sighting of Ronaldo ? With the score at 22-28 and 1.30 mins to go Ramian tries to beat 4 or 5 Panther defenders on the line, he never thought of passing, to which it seemed Nickora questioned him

Big ask to cover the opposite wing

SS being manipulated out of position by Panthers is well done by them

 

[jim schwarz]

Big ask to cover the opposite wing

SS being manipulated out of position by Panthers is well done by them

Sorry -you are correct -It was Stonestreet's wing and he was caught out of position