Twelve months ago Penrith were last on the ladder at 2-6. They are now 7-1 and top of the comp. The Panthers walked into McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday afternoon and made the Knights look like a team playing in a different competition. 44-12. Edwards three tries before half time. Cleary on autopilot from the kicking tee. The premiership market shut.
Edwards Sends an Origin Reminder
Dylan Edwards put a hat-trick on the board inside 20 minutes and finished with 284 Run Metres, eight tackle breaks and two linebreaks. The incumbent NSW fullback was already in the box seat for the State of Origin opener. After Sunday, the conversation has moved on. Brian To'o grabbed a double on the left edge with 10 broken tackles and 227 Run Metres. Paul Alamoti added 12 tackle breaks and 213 Run Metres from centre. Cleary kicked six from eight and ran the show without breaking a sweat.
The Panthers have now scored 40-plus in four of their eight games. They top the comp for tries scored, average Run Metres per game (1,825) and linebreaks (50). The 7-1 start, after sitting last on the ladder at the same point in 2025, is the largest year-on-year turnaround in the comp's history. Ladbrokes punters who took Penrith at -10 cashed out before half time.
Newcastle Run Out of Ideas
The Knights had nothing. Phoenix Crossland and Dylan Brown crossed to keep the scoreboard breathing, but they were 24-6 down at the break and the contest was effectively a procession from there. Coach Adam O'Brien admitted post-match that the Knights had been outclassed in every department, and the side now sits 11th with three losses on the bounce. Fletcher Sharpe gathered 22 runs from fullback but Newcastle managed only three linebreaks and 32 missed tackles. The full match wrap is on ABC Rugby League.
Where the Markets Land
Penrith firmed from $3.50 to $2.80 for the premiership in the hour after the siren. The Warriors hold steady at $5.50 in second. The Storm at $13 are out the back paddock with no sign of life. Edwards has now scored five tries in his last three games and the Edwards Anytime Tryscorer market has paid in seven of his last nine, which is the most reliable NRL multi anchor going around. Cleary 1+ try assists has paid in 13 straight. dabble's Origin fullback futures shortened Edwards from $1.85 to $1.45 overnight. The Knights drift to $51 for the spoon and short prices are starting to appear on Newcastle missing the eight for the first time since 2023.
Round 9 throws up a serious test. The Panthers travel to CommBank Stadium next Sunday to face a Manly side on a four-game winning run. Full NRL Round 9 tips and predictions for every match are now live.