Panthers rewrite record books in horrendous scenes against Bulldogs

The wild weather across Australia has made a massive impact on as the Panthers smashed a host of records, including a 102-year mark.

Penrith are one of the teams to beat already.

In wild scenes Bankwest Stadium, the Penrith Panthers have smashed a host of records with a dominant 28-0 win over the Canterbury Bulldogs.

The slippery conditions make ball handling difficult as it was a tough slog throughout the game.

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But the 2020 minor premiers have again shown they are one of the teams to beat this season, running away with the dominant win and snatching a host of records along the way.

The Panthers became the first team to ever start a season with back-to-back clean sheets, while including a 42-0 win over the Bulldogs in the last game of the 2020 season, the club is the first team since the Roosters in 1919 to win three straight regular season games without the opponents scoring a point.

It’s also the first time in the history of the Panthers that the side have kept teams to zero in consecutive games.

And all in crazy scenes at Bankwest.

It also makes it 11 straight regular season games the Panthers have conceded 12 points or less and the ninth straight away win for the side, which is also a club record.

Panthers coach Ivan Cleary was pleased with the side’s defence that has helped tally the record result.

“We value it, we work really hard at it,” Cleary said. “Defensive coach Cameron Ciraldo does a great job. When I first came back to the club in 2019, we changed the system quite a bit and that took some time. But under Cameron’s tutelage, it’s developing nicely and the boys have bought into it.

“It all rolls into one, if we’re dominating field position and possession, defence becomes a lot easier. Today it was painfully slow rucks throughout the day, which makes it easier as well.

“There are some things we need to fix up and need to improve and we'll keep doing it this week. It’s a short week and we’ve got the Storm so we’re going to be tested this week.”

Even more sweet would be the win over former Panthers assistant coach Trent Barrett after he left for the Bulldogs.

The Panthers are on song again.

While it was amicable at the time, the tensions have frayed somewhat over Canterbury chasing Panthers players, including reserve half Matt Burton, who is moving to the Bulldogs next season.

“We just won the Matt Burton Cup didn’t we?” Cleary said when peppered by questions over the half.

Burton’s release has been a hot topic of discussion during the off-season, with former players and sponsors calling for him to be released, while Panthers great Greg Alexander defending the Burton saga in a heated clash on NRL 360 during the week.

Cleary said Burton may come into the team depending on how Nathan Cleary, who was hit high by Dallin Watene-Zelezniak late in the game.