For the second week in a row, the Penrith Panthers did it the hard way against less-favoured opposition. This time it was cellar dwellers to Brisbane Broncos who they outlasted 18-12 to remain in equal first with Melbourne going into this Saturday night’s blockbuster.

A tryless first half saw only a penalty goal and a Dylan Edwards 40m two-point field goal separate the sides as Penrith went to the main break with a narrow and unconvincing 4-0 lead. The Broncos were arguably the better of the two sides and both teams were unlucky to have tries disallowed one of which was Staines.

Yet despite the effectiveness of Brisbane’s stalling tactics and the sloppy conditions, one always had the feeling that if Penrith were to click it would be very difficult for an underwhelming Brisbane side to negate. That’s exactly what the Panthers did to start the second half.

Tries to To’o and Forbes junior Staines (off arguably the flick pass of the season from Stephen Crichton) and suddenly the mountain men had an 18-0 lead with 20 to play. Not to be deterred, Brisbane dug deep, narrowing the margin to just six with five minutes remaining.

While Penrith were able to repel the Broncos coach Ivan Cleary must surely be concerned with the record 66 missed tackles his side allowed against a team running second last. As good as Cleary, Yeo and co are who are out, if Penrith defend like that come Saturday, the Storm will be far less merciful.

With Nathan Cleary expected to return, Isaah Yeo to undergo HIA tests and the possibility of former NSW player Tevita Pangai Jr also lacing up for the Panthers, this weekend’s grand final rematch might well be the game of the season!

This Sunday July 18 against a desperate New Zealand Warriors looms as a danger game for Forbes Magpies junior Charlie Staines and his Penrith Panthers who have been forced to move to the Sunshine Coast bubble after NSW deals with another COVID outbreak.

Coming off a thrilling 13-12 win against a bold Parramatta Eels last round, Penrith will be forced to do it without a number of Origin stars including halves Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai. Yet Penrith seem to relish these challenges.

In a 12-10 win over the Storm nearly three months ago and again two weeks ago against the Eels, Penrith got the job done without Cleary and against the Eels without Luai and Edwards as well. It is the kind of luxury of depth most teams can only dream about but it means nothing come Sunday for Charlie and company if they can’t hold out a Warriors team running out of time to make a September run.

The following week sees Penrith take on Brisbane before a mouthwatering rematch with Melbourne on July 31 in Melbourne in a game where Cleary, Luai and co are expected to return.

It wasn’t pretty and it was arguably their worst game in two years but the Penrith Panthers have won a scrappy match against a game but directionless Parramatta Eels.

Forbes Magpies Rugby League product Charlie Staines started at fullback, a position he is familiar with from his junior days here in Group 11 and had an indifferent night in difficult conditions.

In a game where the Panthers were always playing catch up, Parramatta scored first before Penrith took a 6-4 lead to the sheds.

As both sides traded tries in the second half in a real war of attrition, it soon became apparent that the Eels were only really hanging in due to Penrith’s disjointed attack that resulted in 15 errors. Penrith’s defence held solid all night with both Parramatta tries coming from fortuitous circumstances.

At 12-12 with time expiring, Dubbo CYMs player Matt Burton nailed a field goal to make it 13-12. Even a late Liam Martin check on Waqa Blake for a questionable penalty that allowed Mitch Moses a chance to kick a penalty goal from 30m out couldn’t change the result.

Penrith has the bye this weekend.

After being in the unusual position of back-to-back losses, Charlie Staines Penrith Panthers rallied against fellow title hopefuls Sydney Roosters 38-12 last week. The win returns the Panthers to the top of the ladder for at least today.

The men in black didn’t have it all their own way as the Chooks sprung to an early 12-0 lead after 15 minutes. Yet in the blink of an eye, a sin bin to Roosters enforcer Siosiua Taukeiaho after only 22 minutes for a high hit on a falling Nathan Cleary saw the Panthers pile on 22 unanswered points to go into the half 22-12 in front.

If the tri-colours thought they were still a chance at the half Penrith soon put pay to that with a dominant display scoring three more tries including Staines.

The Forbes Magpies Rugby League product crossed in the 63rd minute to end proceedings and give the Panthers a big boost leading into Origin II.

Next up for the title favourites will be old foes Parramatta Eels who themselves fancy their chances at a premiership ring. The winner may go a long way towards winning it in 2021.

Can’t wait!