Harold Matts: Panthers break Roosters’ hearts in elimination final

Panthers playmaker Tylor Bunting put on a masterclass with the boot as he steered Penrith to a thrilling elimination final win in the Harold Matthews Cup.

The Panthers celebrate a try against the Roosters in their final at Leichhardt Oval. Picture: Julian Andrews

Nathan Cleary isn’t the only halfback at Penrith with an exceptional kicking game.

There’s also young Tylor Bunting. The No.7 steered the Harold Matthews Panthers to a thrilling 36-24 elimination final win over the Sydney Roosters on Saturday.

Bunting terrorised the Roosters with his boot — he put up dirty torpedoes, set up tries and slotted conversions.

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“He got a couple of big moments right today,” Panthers coach Kyle Churchill said.

“His goalkicking was absolutely clutch, which helped us in a big way, it kept us in reach. He’s learning to play his role and that he doesn‘t have to touch the ball all the time to have impact.”

The Panthers celebrate Luron Patea’s try against the Roosters. Picture: Julian Andrews

Bunting’s combination with fullback Liam Ison was lethal — the pair have played club footy at St Mary’s together for years. Penrith were also boosted by the return of star centre Jesse McLean, who has missed recent rounds due to rugby union commitments, and Lleyten Tautua.

“Just the fact that (McLean) puts a jersey on gives them confidence,” Churchill said. “We had Lleyton return today too, he came back from a broken jaw in round one … hopefully it’s all coming together at the right time.”

The Roosters often looked on top of the seesawing affair.

Winger Dylan Roach wreaked havoc on the left and scored a double thanks to brilliant cut out passes from No.1 Cooper Toy. Five-eighth Benjamin Dufficy was also a constant threat.

Cassius Tia and Modotinrowson Siu scored strong tries but the Chooks couldn’t hold off Penrith’s late surge. But second half tries to Harrison Hassett, Jenson Tuaoi, Bayden Moran and skipper Luron Patea allowed the Panthers to storm home.

“It was the first time all year when something was on the line,” Churchill said. “The fact that we could be 18-6 down and 24-12 down and to come back from that so well.”

In Blacktown, the Magpies pulled off another exciting comeback to beat the Central Coast Roosters 18-16.

Five-eighth Heath Mason scored the matchwinner to secure the club’s spot in semi-finals.

Bayden Moran was among the tryscorers for Penrith. Picture: Julian Andrews

“They really tried to muscle up in the middle and match us in that area which was good, in the end we probably got the better of them but it took 55 minutes to actually do it,” Wests coach Nathan Lakeman said.

“Jordan Miller was exceptional for us again today, he really charged in. Fullback Taj’h Colquhoun was great out the back. It’s been some time since Western Suburbs have even participated in a semi final, let alone win one. It’s good.”

The Magpies will play minor premiers Manly and the Panthers will play the Eels in the semi-finals next weekend.

SG BALL CUP

Tyrell Sloan announced himself as a player of the future when he crossed for the Dragons at an NRL trial match earlier this year. On Saturday, the electric fullback scored a hat-trick and drove Illawarra’s dominant 46-14 win over the Bunnies at Leichhardt Oval.

Steelers captain Jackson Shereb was also key, scoring twice and setting up countless others. Five-eighth JuniorAmone was constantly on the attack, too.

Souths have dominated all year and despite tries from Liam Tonpi, Oscar Mezzomo and Davvy Moale, they just couldn’t stop the defending SG Ball champions.

Canberra has also progressed to the semi-finals after demolishing Canterbury 44-10 at Blacktown. Boom centre Josh Billing notched a hat-trick while Australian Schoolboy Trey Mooney scored twice.

Jackson Shereb scored twice for the Steelers in their big win over South Sydney. Picture: Julian Andrews

TARSHA GALE CUP

Keilee Joseph — write down the name. Then again, the young prop might already be on your radar, given she played for the NRL All Stars Indigenous side earlier this year.

On Saturday, Joseph was a standout in the Sydney Roosters Indigenous Academy’s dominant 20-0 win over the Sharks. The star put halfback Courtney Tamati over and scored a strong four-pointer of her own.

Cronulla put everything into the contest but the Roosters were too strong as Otesa Pule and Avalon Pallier crossed to seal the deal.

“It was tough and physical, the girls game is evolving and adapting so well,” Roosters coach Blake Cavallaro said.

“(Tamati) is also a player of the future, she plays eyes up football, has a great football brain compared with girls in that age bracket. (Pule) runs a really good line, she’s got the physical attributes that players at higher levels value.”

In Blacktown, the Dragons put six tries on the Wests Tigers to win their elimination final 30-8. St George and the Chooks will meet powerhouse sides Illawarra and Newcastle in the semi-finals next weekend.