NRL 2024: Panthers win 42-12 over South Sydney Rabbitohs as week from hell continues

The Rabbitohs looked to have turned a corner after taking a surprise early lead. But things fell apart quickly, as the Panthers piled on 42 unanswered points, with Souths’ commitment coming into question after one embarrassing effort.

Taylan May scored a try to embarrass the Rabbitohs, after Dylan Edwards exposed the Rabbitohs’ stunning lack of commitment after a 20m restart. Picture: Getty Images

South Sydney powerbrokers would have been frantically reconsidering their plan to bring back Wayne Bennett after an incredible opening 10 minutes against the premiers, but it turns out they still desperately need the super coach after they fell away to end a miserable week for the club.

The 42-12 loss to Penrith keeps them rooted to the foot of the table with just one win through nine rounds, and it’s shaping as a year that may not get any better summed up by a diabolical play in the second half that would’ve been unacceptable in park footy.

Taylan May scored a try to embarrass the Rabbitohs, after Dylan Edwards exposed the Rabbitohs’ stunning lack of commitment after a 20m restart. Picture: Getty Images

Down by 12 points at the time, a Cody Walker kick trickled dead and was returned to the 20-metre line by Dylan Edwards who saw pretty much the entire defensive line with their backs turned.

The Panthers fullback sprinted back and drew in the one defender who was onside and passed to Taylan May who raced away to score a try that would have made Jason Demetriou want to quit if he hadn’t been sacked 48 hours earlier.

The Panthers take advantage of some lacklustre defence from the Rabbitohs!

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“We saw plenty of it (energy),” interim coach Ben Hornby said.

“There was effort all day and I don’t think they deserved that scoreline. We’ve just got to move forward.

“The ball went dead and the boys were trying to get back as quickly as they could. We’d done a lot of work by then so fatigue is going to get you at some stage. Taylan made a great play, too.”

Hornby just wanted to see some effort from his side, but plays like that won’t help them in their bid to salvage something from a season that threatens to spiral out of control.

What would really frustrate him is that they started brilliantly with Walker laying on two tries in the opening 10 minutes, but poor discipline killed them with the Panthers striking twice while Jai Arrow was in the sin bin.

Things could get worse with Jacob Host on report and sent to the sin bin for a dangerous tackle on Brad Schneider as he put up a bomb, with 8155 fans leaving disappointed after giving their side a standing ovation at the break.

NOT HALF BAD

The Panthers are confident Nathan Cleary will return next week after the superstar halfback was rested for Thursday’s win on the back of a five-day turnaround from the game in Townsville.

His replacement fitted in seamlessly, with Brad Schneider laying on a try with a pass that only went four metres forward, before he went straight past Walker with a show and go to make it 12-all.

Standing in for Nathan Cleary, backup halfback Brad Schneider once again impressed for the Panthers. Picture: Getty Images

It’s exactly what Ivan Cleary wants to see with his son set to be away during the Origin period, although the coach wouldn’t have been pleased with their very flat first half.

The Panthers eventually broke the Rabbitohs down and kicked clear with Sunia Turuva throwing a crazy flick pass to set up a try, but they do have an issue with Izack Tago sent to the sin bin for a hip-drop tackle on Jye Gray in the fifth minute.

Jye Gray is set for a stint on the sidelines after coming off injured after this hip drop tackle from Izack Tago. Picture NRL Imagery

BACK TO THE FUTURE

Gray’s injury means Latrell Mitchell will come straight in at fullback next week after missing the past three games through suspension.

It was going to be the first major call of Hornby’s coaching tenure to potentially move Mitchell to the centres, but he doesn’t have to worry about that now with Gray facing a stint on the sidelines.

Damien Cook played fullback for the second half in his milestone match, but they’ll be hoping Mitchell returns from his time off with a new attitude and the old skills that made him one of the most feared players in the NRL.

Dean Hawkins is also out next week with a quad strain.

Originally published as NRL 2024: Panthers win 42-12 over South Sydney Rabbitohs as week from hell continues