The Panthers have sent a warning to their premiership rivals with a dominant win over Cronulla to close out a bumper Saturday of football.
Halfback Nathan Cleary pulled the strings as Penrith slowly suffocated their rivals on the way to a 26-6 victory.
The Sharks threw plenty at their opponents but couldn’t find a way to breakdown the Panthers defensive wall at a sold-out Carrington Park in Bathurst.
Earlier in the day, the Wests Tigers made the perfect start to their 2026 campaign with a sizzling display in the sunshine as Jarome Luai led them to a 44-16 win over the Cowboys.
The crowd of 17,637 was the Tigers’ biggest at Leichhardt Oval since 2019 and they went home happy as young gun Luke Laulilii bagged a double and ran for more than 200 metres.
The Storm then rolled into Wollongong and kicked clear of a spirited Dragons side to secure a 46-20 victory in front of a big crowd at WIN Stadium.
The hosts led 20-18 after 60 minutes before Sua Faalogo took control of the contest. The livewire fullback scored three tries in the space of 12 minutes to turn the match on its head.
Follow all the action from Round 2 of the NRL Telstra Premiership on NRL.com’s live blog.
Panthers v Sharks at Carrington Park, Bathurst
Full-time: Penrith have ground the Sharks down on the way to a comprehensive 26-6 victory in Bathurst. The result was a return to the typical Panthers performance of old, where they slowly squeezed the life out of their opponents and did not give an inch. Cronulla threw plenty at Ivan Cleary’s men throughout the second half but they just couldn’t find a way to breakdown the defensive wall. Panthers 26 – Sharks 6.
74th minute: Nathan Cleary has taken an opportunity to extend his side’s lead, slotting a penalty goal from just right of the posts. The two points came following an escort penalty, with the Panthers tightening their grip on victory. Panthers 26 – Sharks 6.
71st minute: Penrith just keep turning up with wave after wave of defence. Dylan Edwards made multiple try-savers, while the Sharks struggled to find any gaps in the black wall. The Panthers eventually forced an error and an exit out of their own end. Panthers 24 – Sharks 6.
67th minute: The Sharks have lodged a Captain’s Challenge after a pass was knocked into touch. The Panthers defender looked to have knocked it out but the on-field referee ruled Sione Katoa had knocked it forward before Tom Jenkins touched it. The Bunker confirms the initial ruling and Penrith go on the attack. Panthers 24 – Sharks 6.
62nd minute: We’re back to the Bunker after Dylan Edwards appeared to score for the Panthers. The on-field referee thought he’d spotted a knock on and replays confirmed he did spill the ball. But before Edwards got to the line, he made a double movement and Cronulla receive the penalty. Panthers 24 – Sharks 6.
58th minute: The Sharks have finally broken through, with Sione Katoa diving over in the corner. The try came after an uncharacteristic Panthers error in their own half, with Cronulla capitalising on the opportunity to breathe some life into their comeback bid. Meanwhile, Panthers utility Jack Cogger has been ruled out for the rest of the match after copping a head knock in a heavy collision. Panthers 24 – Sharks 6.
55th minute: Just as Cronulla look like they’re starting to gain some momentum, up steps Nathan Cleary to produce a brilliant play. This time it’s a perfectly executed short line dropout that is low to the ground and a nightmare for the Sharks to gather. Jesse Ramien was unable to pick it up cleanly and his side’s attacking opportunity comes to an end. Panthers 24 – Sharks 0.
51st minute: They lead by 24 but Penrith continue to scramble desperately to deny the Sharks. Cronulla had an attacking set of six and came close on both edges but the Panthers scramble defence was up to the task and repelled their opponents. Panthers 24 – Sharks 0.
48th minute: We’re off to the Bunker as Penrith look to extend their lead. Tom Jenkins went up for a bomb but held back a Cronulla defender in the process and the Sharks receive a penalty and an exit out of their own half. Panthers 24 – Sharks 0.
