The Penrith Panthers have inflicted even more punishment on the South Sydney Rabbitohs in 2024, taking out a 42-12 win on Thursday night at Accor Stadium.
Coming into this clash days after the sacking of coach Jason Demetriou, there was plenty of expectation of an improved performance from Souths and the side showed signs of promise to open the match.
After Izack Tago was sent to the sin bin in the 5th minute for a hip drop on Jye Gray, the Rabbitohs pounced with two quick tries.
Cody Walker was instrumental for Souths to start the game, getting two try assists by setting up both Izaac Thompson and Dean Hawkins, giving the hosts a 12-point lead.
However, the lead was short-lived as Jai Arrow was sent to the sin bin, allowing the Panthers to level the score within a matter of minutes through Sunia Turuva and Brad Schneider.
Despite a strong showing from Souths throughout the remainder of the first half, it was Penrith who went into the break with the lead after Luke Garner crossed the line.
Both sides showed another level of physicality to start the second half but the lingering issues of fitness and attitude came back to bite the Rabbitohs as Lindsay Smith extended the Panthers lead in the 58th minute.
South Sydney’s season could be defined in one play as the ball went dead from a long kick, Dylan Edwards raced away to the 20-metre line and set up Taylan May for what could be the easiest try of his career.
The defensive effort from Souths infuriated SEN League commentator Brett Kimmorley, who didn’t hold back in his appraisal of the try.
“They look unfit,” Kimmorley said on SEN League.
“You are playing the best team and they’ve been doing this for years, they take you to a speed that you can’t compete in.
“They’ve been going for 24 minutes in a brutal arm wrestle and they broke, they’ve broke twice now South Sydney, get back onside.
“Dylan Edwards does this every time the ball goes dead, this is not new to coaching this year.”
Penrith continued to inflict damage on the undermanned Souths side, with Garner and Tago icing the result in the dying minutes.
South Sydney will remain at the bottom of the NRL ladder with their seventh loss in eight games, whilst Penrith move to second place, level on points with Cronulla in first.