Panthers coach Ivan Cleary was relieved to make up for the membership’s Round 1 loss with a 16-10 win over competitors heavyweights, the Rabbitohs, on house soil.
Meanwhile, captain Isaah Yeo believes the fiery on-field moments at BlueBet Stadium is a “rap for both teams” and it’s pure for a little bit of a “rivalry” to evolve between the 2 golf equipment.
Penrith have been shocked in Round 1 by the Broncos in a 13-12 thriller, whereas the Rabbitohs have been coming off an announcement 27-18 win over the Sharks.
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The reigning premiers held a 16-nil lead — and dominated the sport — till South Sydney scored two tries within the remaining 14 minutes.
Cleary advised reporters afterwards that his facet “started well” however gave the opposition “way too many opportunities as well.”
“Second half, I thought again we were dominating field position and possession. But at 16-nil it felt like we kind of lost our way a little bit and it became a little bit of shambles — well, not shambles, just a bit harder than it should have been at the end there,” he mentioned.
“When they’re playing with nothing to lose, they’re very dangerous and very good at it.”
Rabbitohs react to alleged racial slur | 00:21
When requested if the win relieves strain after shedding the season-opener, Cleary conceded: “Of course it does.”
“I think anyone wants to win their first game, get off the mark, off and running. We’re no different so it’s nice to get a win,” he added.
“We’re not happy about losing at home (in Round 1) as well so to get another home game today it was important to put in a good performance first and foremost, which for the most part I thought we did.
“There’s certainly some stuff to work on, but that’s always going to be the case at this time of the year.”
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Yeo believes the win got here from “getting back to the process” and a “good feeling” inside the group earlier than kick-off.
“I don’t think it was the end of the world, last week’s performance. I think Broncos are going to be a really good side,” he mentioned.
“I thought we had opportunities there last week, but we prepared really well — which I feel we do most weeks anyway — to give ourselves the best opportunity tonight.
“There was a good feeling among the group, particularly in the sheds before the game. It just felt like we were going to play well.”
There have been a couple of heated moments all through the sport between the 2 sides that clashed within the 2021 grand remaining.
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But Yeo put that all the way down to the rivalry that’s brewing between the 2 sides.
“There was a little bit of niggle — not an awful lot. But it’s probably just a rap for both teams, we’ve been there or there abouts in past seasons that we’ve played in big games against each other,” he mentioned.
“So I guess when you’re doing that it’s probably going to create a rivalry. Both teams know how each other plays and it sort of plays into both teams’ hands.”
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Off the sphere, there was an unpleasant incident that has made headlines. A fan was ejected from the stadium after allegedly racially abusing Rabbitohs star Latrell Mitchell as he walked up the tunnel at half time.
Souths coach Jason Demetriou was sturdy in his post-game press convention, calling for the fan to obtain a life ban.
Cleary later learnt of the incident and mentioned he hopes the investigation will uncover all the particulars.
“I’ve heard it’s happened so as far as I know, the club is all over it. I guess an investigation will take place,” he mentioned.
“Yeah of course (I back Demetriou). I actually don’t really know what happened… as I said hopefully they can get to the bottom of it and work out what happened.”
The Panthers have the bye subsequent week, which Cleary mentioned may need come at a “good time” given his and halfback Nathan picked up an ankle damage, as did his halves associate Jarome Luai.
Source web site: www.foxsports.com.au
