Warriors v Broncos, Roosters v Panthers: Live news, scores and SuperCoach analysis

Penrith’s hopes of a five-peat are hanging by a thread – and so is Dylan Edwards’ grip on the Blues’ No.1 jersey. But club legend Greg Alexander is adamant all hope is not lost.

Penrith legend Greg Alexander has launched a fierce defence of Dylan Edwards’ NSW Origin incumbency and backed the beleaguered premiers to bounce back to form.

Alexander also backed under-pressure five-eighth Blaize Talagi to find form with his new club following a disappointing start to his career with Penrith.

Edwards’ grip on the Blues’ No.1 jumper has been questioned after the Panthers’ disastrous start to the season that has left their four-year dynasty on life support.

Their luck must turn around this weekend if Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo and Edwards can inspire confidence in their inexperienced team against the Sydney Roosters on Saturday.

A dejected Panthers slide against the Dolphins in round six. Picture: NRL Photos

Alexander is adamant Ivan Cleary’s side shouldn’t be written off yet despite their worst start to a campaign since 2013, with just one from the six opening rounds.

“They’ve just looked so unlike Penrith. They haven’t been far away, but at times they’ve looked a million miles away,” Alexander said.

A mix of injuries – including to Cleary and Edwards – and suspensions coupled with off-season losses have forced Penrith to rely on a younger side in 2025 compared to the well-oiled machine the NRL is used to.

Jake Averillo breaks through the inexperienced and youthful defence of Thomas Jenkins and Blaize Talagi. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

“It’s pretty obvious without Jarome Luai, James Fisher-Harris and other players lost, they need their key men on the field. And they just haven’t had them at the one time (fully fit) this year.

“The depth isn’t as deep as it’s been over the last five years.”

That lack of depth was on full display last Thursday against the Dolphins who ran riot around Penrith’s inexperienced left edge defence at the expense of rookies Blaize Talagi, Casey McLean and Thomas Jenkins.

All of a sudden thrust into a premiership winning team struggling to find their identity, the Panthers board member believes before replicating the past, these new players must tap into how their own brand of footy fits into Penrith’s system.

Brian To'o in the corner for Penrith Panthers against the Roosters at CommBank Stadium in round two. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

“Blaize is an instinctive player with so much natural ability running the football. There’s an outstanding footballer in Blaize and it’s (a matter of) him finding his feet,” Alexander said.

“He will play differently to Jarome, but that doesn’t mean he won’t be able to have the same impact.”

The suggestion Cleary should simplify his game to accommodate the team is farfetched to Alexander, who feels the superstar No.7 has done everything he can for his side in games like those against the Roosters and Cowboys.

“He almost got us back in a position to win both games and couldn’t have done any more. For reasons not his fault we just fell short,” he said.

“If he’s not threatening the defence, being as deceptive as he was through his ball playing, his ability to put players in space and his kicking game – which created a few tries – if Nat stops doing that we could’ve been beat by a lot more.

Penrith will look for revenge on Saturday against the team who began who snowballed their run of defeats. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images.

“I’ve got all the confidence in the world in Nathan playing a big part in getting Penrith back on track. He needs to be at his absolute best to get us out of this hole and it’s up to the other boys to follow.”

While his side weren’t ready for a Roosters ambush in Round 2, Penrith almost nabbed the game with the final play in the corner through a flying Brian To’o, a move that if came off might have boosted their season into a very different course to what it has been so far.

Now back against the Tricolours on Saturday, live and exclusive on Kayo Sports and Foxtel, the Panthers will look to right their wrongs in another crucial encounter.

Originally published as Warriors v Broncos, Roosters v Panthers: Live news, scores and SuperCoach analysis