‘Monumental upset’ as Panthers exposed after exits

The Penrith Panthers may be two-time defending champions but a shock result shows it doesn’t get any easier the more you win.

Penrith will take some time. Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

The Brisbane Broncos have pulled off an enormous scalp, coming into the Panthers house to rob the defending premiers 13-12 in the season opener, which commentator Dan Ginnane called a “monumental upset”.

The Panthers looked to have hardly skipped a beat when Stephen Crichton capped off a long range try to score early for Penrith but the Broncos shocked the league when Herbie Farnworth pulled off a double.

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Farnworth’s second try was something special as he somehow chased down the ball after he was outpaced by Brian To’o but dived over the top of the winger to ground the ball.

The second half was scoreless until the 70th minute when Adam Reynolds slotted a field goal to make it a seven-point deficit for the Panthers.

But the home side was not about to lay down.

Bench hooker Soni Luke had ignited the Panthers from the moment he entered the field in the 54th minute.

Soni Luke celebrates the try. Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

It was something the Panthers sorely missed as they move into the post-Api Koroisau era.

Sure, it wasn’t a belting by any chance but the Penrith of the past three years would have been expected to grind out a win.

Just before the half, Michael Ennis said the Panthers were missing the spark which has made the side an unstoppable force the past three seasons.

“It’s looked a little predictable, it’s been a little slow from Penrith and there's no doubt at all they’re missing Api Koroisau’s craftiness around the dummy half area and certainly Viliame Kikau’s presence out on that left hand side,” Ennis said.

But Luke pounced in the 76th minute to score next to the posts and set up a grandstand finish.

While Koroisau is a big loss, it appeared his heir apparent emerged, despite the loss.

“They’ve missed Koroisau, who has been one of the elite dummy halves for so long, but Soni Luke’s come on with that deception, that craft and the ability to cause the opposition headaches around the ruck,” Ennis said.

Going to be interesting to see what Ivan Cleary does with the No.9 position this season.

Mitch Kenny has been immense tonight and never shirks on his defensive workload.

But it's clear they look more dangerous when Soni Luke is at dummy-half. #NRLPanthersBroncos

— Lachlan McKirdy (@LMcKirdy7) March 3, 2023

That’s two one-point losses in a row. Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Alexander said despite the back-to-back premierships, it was an “enormous” challenge to match the 1981-83 Eels, who were the last team to three-peat.

“Take the two players who have now moved on to other clubs — Kikau and Koroisau — doesn’t matter how you sugar-coat it, they are massive losses and it will take them time,” Alexander said.

“But I was very impressed by what Mitch Kenny and Soni Luke did. Soni Luke came on the field and made a difference and I thought got Penrith back into the game with his runs from dummy half.”

While the Broncos are expected to perform better than last year, assuming Reynolds can stay fit, it was a shock loss as the Panthers had won 31 of their last 33 at home leading into the match, dating back to late 2019.

The win snaps a 14-year hoodoo for the Broncos at Penrith. Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

But it was a defensive masterclass from the Broncos which saw the Panthers’ three-year run of going 8-0 to start the season snapped.

“It’s the first time in a couple of years I’ve so much resilience on their (the Broncos’) own tryline,” Gorden Tallis said.

“I don’t know how many sets the Panthers had 20m out.

“It was one of those moments where Brisbane, they just dug deep, Penrith were throwing everything at them but Brisbane just believed in themselves.”

Panthers legend Greg Alexander said: “Brisbane’s defence was outstanding. Brisbane tackled themselves to a win.”

Who said Kevvy can’t coach? The Broncos have a very talented side with a stack of depth. Brisbane will go deep into this competition. #NRLPanthersBroncos

— Chris O'Keefe (@cokeefe9) March 3, 2023

Incredible defensive effort by the Broncos. The best win of Kevin Walters coaching career. #NRLPanthersBroncos

— Dane Lillingstone (@Dane_ML) March 3, 2023

Gotta admire the Broncos for that performance. Penrith tried their guts out but couldn’t break the Broncos kids. Congrats Brisbane fans. You have quite the squadron. #NRLPanthersBroncos

— James Smith (@JamesSmith1001) March 3, 2023

Originally published as ‘Monumental upset’ as Panthers exposed after exits