Match Details
Match Date	27th Apr, 2018
Opponent	Penrith
Result	Loss 14-22
Coach	Dean Pay
Captain	Josh Jackson
Venue	Penrith Park (Panthers Stadium)
Crowd	13,760
Referee	Grant Atkins Alan Shortall

Despite taking on Canterbury without nine NRL players — then 10 after fullback Dylan Edwards dislocated a shoulder— this living, breathing, tackling unit knuckled down to grind out  probably one of the gutsiest wins of the season.

Led by No 6 James Maloney, the Panthers stormed home last night to beat a Bulldogs side that, right now, still seems beset with as many problems as it had last year.

Unable to score against the Roosters, Canterbury crossed only twice against a Panthers side now regularly using backrowers defending in the centres.

And both of those came in the first half. But still, this is a yarn about Penrith. Or at least what is left of them.

Coming into the Dogs clash missing a slew of players— including genuine stars like halfback Nathan Cleary, captain Peter Wallace and winger Josh Mansour —it took only 15 minutes before the number of injured reached double digits. And in the worst possible way. For initially, it seemed like young Edwards was set to score.

With Penrith attacking the tryline, the 22-year-old flyer found himself in space and then almost at the white stripe when Canterbury prop Aaron Woods, almost unthinkably for a big man, dived full stretch to grab the fullback around the ankles.

And as for what happened from there? Who knows. But when  Edwards hit the turf, it wasn't good. Among the top-five metre makers for 2018 coming into this contest, he left it with his arm in a sling.

Now he is expected to be out for up to six weeks. At least the young bloke will have company.

Apart from Cleary (knee), the Panthers also came into the game without Wallace (neck), Mansour (cheek), centre Waqa Blake (ankle), prop Tim Browne (bowel), utility Tyrone May (ACL), prop Sam McKendry (ACL), backrower Corey Waddell (pec) and utility Tyrone Phillips (pec).

All of which leaves only one question: Does Phil Gould still own a pair footy boots?

Unsighted as a cagey play-maker since '86. the Penrith GM is suddenly one of the few footballers left standing in an outfit which has now lost a third of its top squad,75 per cent of its spine and a NSW Origin No7.

And, no, they haven't lost hope.

Or fight as proved last night.

But, geez. you have to wonder how long until Gus gets called. Or maybe Roycey Simmons gets dragged. schooner in hand, from the Panthers corporate suites.

And as for the Bulldogs?

Up against a Penrith side that was missing almost as many players as they had, they could still score only 12 points. They had Dave Klemmer sent to the sin bin late on, just for good measure.

Sure, it started well enough.

Only a week after failing to score a point against the Roosters, Canterbury scored the first two in this one.

And on both occasions, the last pass was thrown by skipper Josh Jackson. And better for his NSW Origin hopes, both times they  occurred in front of Blues coach Brad Fittler, who was working the sideline for Channel 9.

For the first with 16 minutes gone, it was Dogs fullback Moses Mbye who orchestrated a blindside play, throwing a long ball for Jackson to catch and pass in the one movement for Marcelo Montoya to score in the comer.

Nine minutes after that it was No 7 Kieran Foran throwing a beautiful cut out pass — this time with Jackson passing on for centre Will Hopoate. But again, same result. Try.

Source: The Australian

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