REPLY: Penrith Panthers too good for Illawarra Steelers in SG Ball elimination final

The Panthers were too classy in their elimination final against the Steelers. Watch for full replay of the Good Friday clash.

The Panthers are through to the second week of the SG Ball Cup finals series after knocking out Illawarra in fine performance in Wentworthville.

Penrith never trailed in the Good Friday contest at Ringrose Park with Mason Teague in the Panthers no.13 inspiring his side in his second game back from a broken jaw.

The Panthers won the first half with three tries to one, however, some wayward goal kicking from five-eighth Keagan Russell-Smith meant the Mountain Men only led 12 to 6 at the break.

The Panthers proved too strong for the Steelers.Picture: Richard Dobson

WATCH THE FULL REPLAY IN THE VIDEO PLAYER ABOVE

Penrith extended their lead early in the second half after Isaiya Katoa backed up down the right flank before the playmaker found his fullback Luke Hanson who crossed underneath the black dot.

The Steelers were desperate to get back into the contest, but they couldn’t dint the Penrith defence, who closed out the contest with four minutes on the clock – dummy half Ryley Smith scoring and Panthers winning 22 to 6.

“There was a lot of desperation from both sides, it was never really over until that last try, it was a high intensity game,” victorious coach Scott Thompson said.

Mason Teague was the best on ground for the Panthers. Picture: Richard Dobson

“They were filthy on themselves [after losing to the Knights and missing out on a top-two finish] and rightly so. Newcastle were the better side on the day, there was no taking away from them, we missed out opportunities, but you live and learn and we got it right today.

“[Teague] was impressive, he had a broken jaw after round 2 and he had a run back last week, he needed the run and Isaiya, our half, was back last week too, but you can see with another week of training they’re back to where they need to be.”

MATCH PREVIEW

The south coast has always been fertile grounds for producing quality footballers with league-loving Gerringong’s Dylan Egan one of the latest looking to make the grade.

The 17-year-old Lion has shone in the back row for the Illawarra Steelers during the SG Ball Cup with the side finishing fifth through the regular season.

Illawarra will be on a mission to extend their campaign when they face off with Penrith in an elimination final at Wentworthville’s Ringrose Park in a Good Friday blockbuster.

Illawarra Steelers back rower Dylan Egan. Picture: Allan Barry

The winner of the do-or-die clash in Sydney’s west, that will be live streamed exclusively on The Daily Telegraph website from 11.45am, will go within a game of the grand final at Parramatta’s CommBank Stadium.

The Steelers made it to last year’s grand final where they lost to the Raiders, however, two of their star names, Tyrell Sloan and Junior Amone, have already made an impact at NRL level.

Egan said he and his teammates take inspiration from the Steelers alumni who have stayed involved with the junior representative sides.

“Being with the Steelers has been very beneficial for my game,”

“I get along really well with all the coaches and the players. They also bring in past juniors to training, like Tyrell Sloan and Juniors Amone still come to training some days.

“I find it very beneficial and it’s pretty motivational seeing those boys come through SG Ball, especially a winning side. It’s motivating to know that if all goes well [the NRL] isn’t too far away.”

Illawarra Steelers graduate Tyrell Sloan. Picture: David Swift.

The Illawarra second rower said it’s been a tricky season given the wet weather, but he is looking forward to getting into finals football and he has earmarked a few teammates fans should keep on their radar.

“This season has been a bit of a weird one,” Egan said.

“We only just got to train on the field for the first time in five weeks. We’ve been stuck on the basketball courts at the [University of Wollongong], which are good to have, but it’s pretty hard to do ball skills and that in there.

“We knew the comp was going to be tough and there will be tough games coming up if we want to go any further.:

“Jack Bostock has been playing really good footy for us in the centres. Our forwards as well have been doing well for us – our captain Travis Barrett-Hancock gets a lot of work done and the Couchman twins (Toby and Ryan) are just workhorses and exciting to watch.”

Originally published as REPLY: Penrith Panthers too good for Illawarra Steelers in SG Ball elimination final