Casey McLean, a prominent player for the Panthers, may face a spell on the sidelines after being sin binned for a high tackle on Bulldogs prop Max King. The incident occurred soon after Bulldogs back-rower Viliame Kikau scored during Thursday night’s match. As King returned the kick-off, he was met with robust resistance from several defenders. Despite the heavy contact, King managed to rise and continue play without any immediate disruption.
The situation escalated when Penrith regained possession, and referee Gerard Sutton paused the game to consult with the Bunker regarding the high shot. Replays indicated that McLean’s shoulder had struck King in the jaw, prompting Sutton to penalise him and send him to the sin bin. Billy Slater, commenting live, anticipated this decision. Although Penrith retained possession initially, they quickly squandered the opportunity, conceding the ball back to the Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs capitalised on their one-man advantage, with Jacob Kiraz further extending their lead, followed by Sam Hughes, putting them 16-0 ahead—a surprising turn that had Andrew Johns remarking on the Bulldogs’ knack for ambush plays. Tensions ramped up as Kurt Mann received a report for high contact after a head clash with Scott Sorensen, sparking frustration from Johns, who argued it was merely an accident and that players should not be penalised for such occurrences.
Despite the rocky start, Penrith fought back as the game progressed, with Tom Jenkins and Dylan Edwards both scoring tries before halftime, reigniting hope for the Panthers.