Reigning premiers Penrith make huge statement in NRL season opener

Penrith showed they aren’t nursing a premiership hangover with a clinical win over Manly in the NRL season opener.

PENRITH, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 10: Stephen Crichton of the Panthers celebrates with team mates after scoring a try, which was later disallowed by the video bunker during the round one NRL match between the Penrith Panthers and the Manly Sea Eagles at BlueBet Stadium on March 10, 2022, in Penrith, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Penrith got its title defence off to a cracking start with a 28-6 win over Manly in the NRL season opener on Thursday night.

The Panthers showed they weren’t nursing a premiership hangover as they dominated the Sea Eagles from start to finish in the first NRL game in Sydney since June last year.

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They were a constant threat in attack but had two early tries to Stephen Crichton and Brian To’o disallowed by the bunker for obstruction.

But it was only a matter of time until Penrith got on the board courtesy of a try to Izack Tago.

The Panthers extended their first-half lead thanks to a four-pointer from Crichton, who was dangerous all game.

Sean O’Sullivan performed admirably at halfback in the absence of Nathan Cleary, who is expected to miss the first few rounds of the season as he recovers from shoulder surgery.

The Panthers didn’t miss a beat in the season opener. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

But it was a case of no Cleary, no worries for Penrith as they piled on three more tries in the second half courtesy of Jarome Luai, Api Koroisau and Liam Martin.

Manly’s only try was scored by Ethan Bullemor on the stroke of half time and the Sea Eagles never looked likely against the reigning premiers.

Daly Cherry-Evans was well below his best and the contrast between Manly’s leaky defence and Penrith’s dominance in the forward pack couldn’t have been more stark.

The result continues Manly’s run of poor starts to the season in recent years.

The Sea Eagles have only won three season openers in 16 years and the loss to the Panthers was their ninth Round 1 defeat in a row.

It’s all smiles at the foot of the mountains. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

With Cleary out, many had expected Manly to be far more competitive and even challenge for the win.

But Penrith was just too good and successfully kept Dally M medallist Tom Trbojevic out of the game.

“Tom Trbojevic was kept completely out of it,” Panthers great Greg Alexander said on Fox League.

“Six points for Manly and last year they averaged 30,” Michael Ennis added.

“That’s because of possession and where the game is being played.

“You talk about the blueprint there would be a lot of coaches there just watching this unrelenting kick plan. The Panthers were so disciplined with their plans.”