Son of a great’s nightmare as Panthers thrashed in Eels reality check

A son of an NRL legend had a perfect start to his career last week but he and his side were brought back to earth in brutal fashion.

Mavrik Geyer's dream started has had a nightmare turn. Photo: Fox Sports and Getty Images

The Parramatta Eels have ended the pre-season perfectly, dismantling defending champions the Penrith Panthers 36-0 in a shock drubbing at BluBet Stadium.

To put the game in context, it was a trial game so the 36-0 hardly goes into the history books and the Panthers were not at full strength with the likes of Dylan Edwards, Nathan Cleary, James Fisher-Harris, Liam Martin and Isaah Yeo sitting out the match but it was an early warning for the defending premiers.

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While still featuring many of the club’s premiership side, it was a result no one saw coming that will have Eels fans licking their lips as they look to end a 35-year premiership drought.

The Eels struck early and often and dominated every facet of the game while Penrith’s Jarome Luai and backup half Sean O’Sullivan struggled to gel in wet conditions in Sydney’s west.

But while the points don’t matter on the premiership ladder at this point of the season, something that will hurt is injuries.

Is this the wake up call the Panthers need? Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images

Last week, the son of former rugby league hardman Mark Geyer made an exciting start to his NRL journey, despite dropping an F-bomb in his post match interview.

The 21-year-old received the ball 20 metres out and stormed through Cronulla’s defence to score a try with his very first touch.

But against the Eels, Geyer didn’t last the first half before leaving the field aided by the trainer holding his arm.

The Twitter account NRL Physio showed a replay of the injury, where Geyer wrapped up the ball, only to get his arm pinned by the third man in.

⚠️Somewhat graphic⚠️ Mavrik Geyer off with a dislocated elbow, video shows friendly fire from teammate caused hyperextension. Can see clear deformity to indicate elbow dislocated as he reels from tackle. Provided no fracture (no guarantee here) often see a return within 3-6 weeks pic.twitter.com/sgt6HH1Win

— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) February 26, 2022

It was an ugly blow and just about summed up the afternoon for the Panthers.

Although it was tough to watch for Panthers fans, the positive is that it was for no points.

“36 points to nil against the premiers, now I know it’s a trial game and if you’re a Penrith fan or player, that’s what you’d be thinking,” Corey Parker said.

“I don’t think it’s a bad thing for Ivan Cleary, it puts Penrith back in their box gives them a little realty check heading into round one. They’ll be there when it’s needed.

“But that’s quite the statement from Brad Arthur and his men.”

Might just be the slap in the face the Panthers needed. Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images

Benji Marshall added: “It’s a bit of a realisation from that Panthers that you don’t just turn up and it happens …”

“They’re the hunted,” Parker interjected.

Marshall continued: “You have to make it happen and teams are going to be out looking for them.

“From Parramatta’s point of view, it was just a clinical dominant performance. Their playmakers did stand up.”

Originally published as Son of a great’s nightmare as Panthers thrashed in Eels reality check