The Panthers have proven too good for a young Sharks side featuring just a sprinkling of NRL experience in the first trial match for both clubs in 2022.
Played at CommBank Stadium in steamy conditions, the Sharks conceded six tries and managed only one of their own in a 34-6 loss, with the Cronulla team set to welcome back the majority of their NRL stars for next week’s final pre-season hit out against the Bulldogs.
The highlight of the first period was a solid hit from Brayden Trindall on his opposite number, a shot for which the Sharks half was put on report before spending 10 minutes in the sin bin.
For the remainder of the opening 20 minutes the defense from both teams held firm and at the first drinks break it was nil-all.
The deadlock was broken in the 30th minute by the Panthers and it came after the Sharks were denied at one end of the field, with the Panthers posting the opening score at the other.
Exploiting an overlap down their left-hand side a kick inside was grounded in the in-goal by youngster Kurt Falls and the Panthers were up 4-0.
Falls would add the extra two and the match the Panthers led 6-0.
They would extend that lead soon after, a Sharks error on half-way some four minutes later putting their opponents into an attacking position once again and three tackles later Penrith would add to their advantage, Mavrick Geyer slicing through in a 30-metre run to the line.
Again the kick at goal was on target and the Panthers led 12-0 at the break.
With both teams making numerous changes after half time, it was the Penrith team who dominated field position and were able to stretch their lead, two tries down their left, both converted from wide angles and all of a sudden it was 24-0.
Desperate to turn around their fortunes, a short kick off was recovered by the Sharks who went on the attack and their efforts were rewarded, big front rower Tom Hazelton on the end of a short pass from replacement hooker Zac Woolford to crash over.
Trindall add the extras to make it 24-6 but from their the match became somewhat scrappy, both making mass changes over the final 20 minutes, with the Panthers managing two more four pointers, the last coming as the fulltime siren was sounding.
While difficult to find too many positives in a heavy defeat, other than a head knock to Sifa Talakai in the first 10 minutes of the match, the Sharks came through without too many injury concerns which would have pleased coach Craig Fitzgibbon and his coaching staff.
In recognising some of the performances handed in by the Sharks, young forward Jesse Colquoun played big minutes and got through a mountain of work in the middle of the field, topping both the tackle count with 39 and run metres with 101. Centre Kayal Iro, the only Shark to play the full 80 minutes, ran for 95 metres on a team-high 13 carries, with his 45 post contact metres a display of his effectiveness, and the try scored by rangy prop Hazelton was reward for his wholehearted efforts .
The Sharks will also face an anxious wait with Trindall and prop Franklin Pele both on report for shoulder charges.
The last trial match for the Sharks before round one is next week at PointsBet Stadium when they play the Bulldogs. Kick off is at 7.00pm.
PANTHERS 36
Beat
SHARKS 6
Tom Hazelton try, Braydon Trindall goal
