
Sorensen's tackle could be season-defining: Panthers
Penrith players believe Scott Sorensen's match-saving tackle against Wests Tigers could prove season-defining, with their bid for an NRL five-peat still alive.
Sorensen provided a hero's play late in the Panthers' win over the Tigers on Sunday, rushing from the other side of the field to stop Jahream Bula inches from the line.
Prop Lindsay Smith then provided a similar effort on the next set, getting back to help deny Bula again with the Panthers leading 18-14.
The Panthers' win meant they finished the round in 13th spot but just one point out of the top eight, after a horror start to the season had them sitting last after 12 rounds.
Penrith players saw similarities between Sorensen's effort, and Viliame Kikau's famed effort to hold Melbourne's Justin Olam up after the siren in the Panthers' 2021 grand-final rematch.
Kikau's desperate play has for years helped Penrith set the standards for success, and teammates believe Sorensen's effort on Sunday can have a similar effect.
"We'll look back on that as a pretty defining moment. It was huge," fellow second-rower Liam Martin told AAP.
"I remember the (Kikau) one, where he slid and held (Olam) up over the line.
"It's just those little plays that you just value ... They're just little plays that probably not a lot of people notice, but they get so valued in our team.
"It gives you so much confidence when you see stuff like that happening, your teammates doing that, and you just build energy off it."
Penrith face a tough run ahead to keep their season revival on track, with a trip to Auckland without State of Origin players after the bye.
They then face Canterbury off a five-day turnaround, before having the Bulldogs again, Melbourne and Canberra on their run home.
Martin admitted the Panthers may have lacked that kind of desperation in their game as they went 2-6 to start the season, a point Nathan Cleary agreed with.
"That's probably been the difference between winning and losing games," Cleary, who was involved in both tackles on Bula with Sorensen and Smith, said.
"At the start of the year we weren't doing that at all and it was biting us in the butt a fair bit.
"That's what we want our DNA and identity to be like. And we definitely applaud plays like that.
"Then it starts to become something that happens just by DNA ... there were even a few of those last week (against Parramatta) as well."
Sorensen, for his part, dodged the praise after Sunday's win.
"It's no different to anyone else in this team," he said.
"It's just doing your job, and tonight was my time to do my job. It's as simple as that."

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Advertiser
8 hours ago
- The Advertiser
How Galvin won Bulldogs players over in private meeting
Stephen Crichton has lifted the lid on the Lachlan Galvin meeting that won over Canterbury players, with the teen questioned about his motivations for joining the Bulldogs. Galvin appeared to be largely embraced by Canterbury players during his first game there on Monday, mobbed by teammates after scoring a try in his 23-minute stint. There had been speculation in the lead up questioning the impact Galvin's arrival would have at Belmore, with Canterbury top of the NRL ladder since March. Galvin's ugly Wests Tigers exit dominated headlines for two months, while Crichton and other ex-Panthers remain close with Tigers co-captain Jarome Luai. Crichton said he did not like the fallout from the issue, including suggestions the playmaker would not be well received at the Bulldogs. "I don't really like it either, but I feel like you don't know someone unless you actually meet them," the Canterbury captain said from NSW State of Origin camp. "You can have an opinion about someone, but unless you go up there and speak to them you never know how that person is. "That's probably what I got from Lachy, because I never really met him until he got to the club. "When he did get there the biggest thing was he was happy. "He loves his footy, comes from a loving family, and the connection between the boys and him is probably the most vital thing." Crichton said teammates had sounded out Galvin in a team meeting over why he had opted to move to Canterbury, after gaining a release from the Tigers. Galvin will stand to earn more money over the next 18 months after exiting Concord, but knocked back bigger long-term contracts when signing with the Bulldogs. "That kind of question popped up ... 'what's your motivation? What drives you?'" Crichton said. "We just wanted to learn what was the honest truth with everything. "It wasn't about money and things like that, it's just coming to learn, for one. "And two, him being a better person and to be a better footy player as well. I feel like he's landed at the best club for that." Crichton said he believed halfback would be Galvin's long-term position, having already been impressed by the 19-year-old's ball work and commitment. The Bulldogs played Galvin in the halves when he entered the field against Parramatta on Monday, with off-contract No.7 Toby Sexton moved to hooker. Starting hooker Reed Mahoney appeared to cut a dejected figure in Canterbury's sheds following the game, having been granted permission to look elsewhere. But Crichton said the Bulldogs' culture meant players embraced the idea of a team-first mindset at the club and Galvin squeezing someone out would not be an issue. "It's the kind of culture that we're building right now," Crichton said. "Regardless of where you sit in the team it's always what the club needs and the team goes first. "Once you put that at the forefront of your mind, regardless of who's in the team, you want the club going in the right direction." Stephen Crichton has lifted the lid on the Lachlan Galvin meeting that won over Canterbury players, with the teen questioned about his motivations for joining the Bulldogs. Galvin appeared to be largely embraced by Canterbury players during his first game there on Monday, mobbed by teammates after scoring a try in his 23-minute stint. There had been speculation in the lead up questioning the impact Galvin's arrival would have at Belmore, with Canterbury top of the NRL ladder since March. Galvin's ugly Wests Tigers exit dominated headlines for two months, while Crichton and other ex-Panthers remain close with Tigers co-captain Jarome Luai. Crichton said he did not like the fallout from the issue, including suggestions the playmaker would not be well received at the Bulldogs. "I don't really like it either, but I feel like you don't know someone unless you actually meet them," the Canterbury captain said from NSW State of Origin camp. "You can have an opinion about someone, but unless you go up there and speak to them you never know how that person is. "That's probably what I got from Lachy, because I never really met him until he got to the club. "When he did get there the biggest thing was he was happy. "He loves his footy, comes from a loving family, and the connection between the boys and him is probably the most vital thing." Crichton said teammates had sounded out Galvin in a team meeting over why he had opted to move to Canterbury, after gaining a release from the Tigers. Galvin will stand to earn more money over the next 18 months after exiting Concord, but knocked back bigger long-term contracts when signing with the Bulldogs. "That kind of question popped up ... 'what's your motivation? What drives you?'" Crichton said. "We just wanted to learn what was the honest truth with everything. "It wasn't about money and things like that, it's just coming to learn, for one. "And two, him being a better person and to be a better footy player as well. I feel like he's landed at the best club for that." Crichton said he believed halfback would be Galvin's long-term position, having already been impressed by the 19-year-old's ball work and commitment. The Bulldogs played Galvin in the halves when he entered the field against Parramatta on Monday, with off-contract No.7 Toby Sexton moved to hooker. Starting hooker Reed Mahoney appeared to cut a dejected figure in Canterbury's sheds following the game, having been granted permission to look elsewhere. But Crichton said the Bulldogs' culture meant players embraced the idea of a team-first mindset at the club and Galvin squeezing someone out would not be an issue. "It's the kind of culture that we're building right now," Crichton said. "Regardless of where you sit in the team it's always what the club needs and the team goes first. "Once you put that at the forefront of your mind, regardless of who's in the team, you want the club going in the right direction." Stephen Crichton has lifted the lid on the Lachlan Galvin meeting that won over Canterbury players, with the teen questioned about his motivations for joining the Bulldogs. Galvin appeared to be largely embraced by Canterbury players during his first game there on Monday, mobbed by teammates after scoring a try in his 23-minute stint. There had been speculation in the lead up questioning the impact Galvin's arrival would have at Belmore, with Canterbury top of the NRL ladder since March. Galvin's ugly Wests Tigers exit dominated headlines for two months, while Crichton and other ex-Panthers remain close with Tigers co-captain Jarome Luai. Crichton said he did not like the fallout from the issue, including suggestions the playmaker would not be well received at the Bulldogs. "I don't really like it either, but I feel like you don't know someone unless you actually meet them," the Canterbury captain said from NSW State of Origin camp. "You can have an opinion about someone, but unless you go up there and speak to them you never know how that person is. "That's probably what I got from Lachy, because I never really met him until he got to the club. "When he did get there the biggest thing was he was happy. "He loves his footy, comes from a loving family, and the connection between the boys and him is probably the most vital thing." Crichton said teammates had sounded out Galvin in a team meeting over why he had opted to move to Canterbury, after gaining a release from the Tigers. Galvin will stand to earn more money over the next 18 months after exiting Concord, but knocked back bigger long-term contracts when signing with the Bulldogs. "That kind of question popped up ... 'what's your motivation? What drives you?'" Crichton said. "We just wanted to learn what was the honest truth with everything. "It wasn't about money and things like that, it's just coming to learn, for one. "And two, him being a better person and to be a better footy player as well. I feel like he's landed at the best club for that." Crichton said he believed halfback would be Galvin's long-term position, having already been impressed by the 19-year-old's ball work and commitment. The Bulldogs played Galvin in the halves when he entered the field against Parramatta on Monday, with off-contract No.7 Toby Sexton moved to hooker. Starting hooker Reed Mahoney appeared to cut a dejected figure in Canterbury's sheds following the game, having been granted permission to look elsewhere. But Crichton said the Bulldogs' culture meant players embraced the idea of a team-first mindset at the club and Galvin squeezing someone out would not be an issue. "It's the kind of culture that we're building right now," Crichton said. "Regardless of where you sit in the team it's always what the club needs and the team goes first. "Once you put that at the forefront of your mind, regardless of who's in the team, you want the club going in the right direction."


The Advertiser
8 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Kiraz called in as Blues star sidelined from training
NSW have called Jacob Kiraz into camp as cover for Brian To'o, with the Penrith winger battling hamstring soreness seven days out from State of Origin II. Blues officials insisted on Wednesday that Kiraz's call up was only precautionary, with NSW medical staff keen to keep To'o off his feet on Thursday. To'o is believed to have pulled up sore from Penrith's win over Wests Tigers on Sunday, and has already battled two hamstring injuries earlier this year. NSW are confident the Samoan winger will be fine to train on Saturday, before the team flies to Perth on Sunday and attempts to wrap up the series next Wednesday. The Blues have an opposed session against The Entrance's team from Newcastle's rugby league competition on Thursday, and want a natural winger to feature in the game. Kiraz has not previously featured in a NSW squad, but the Canterbury flyer was favoured to win a spot on the wing for game one before a calf injury ruled him out. NSW do have other outside backs in camp with Brisbane centre Kotoni Staggs and Penrith winger Tom Jenkins brought in as extra training bodies earlier in the week. Matt Burton is also in the team as 18th man having previously played as a centre, but Kiraz is clearly the top option if To'o has further setbacks. To'o's fitness will be key to the Blues' hopes of winning in Perth, given he has been the best winger in the NRL for the past five years and a leader for early-set yardage. NSW have already suffered one blow ahead of Origin II, with Warriors prop Mitchell Barnett ruled out a fortnight ago when he suffered a season-ending ACL rupture. NSW have called Jacob Kiraz into camp as cover for Brian To'o, with the Penrith winger battling hamstring soreness seven days out from State of Origin II. Blues officials insisted on Wednesday that Kiraz's call up was only precautionary, with NSW medical staff keen to keep To'o off his feet on Thursday. To'o is believed to have pulled up sore from Penrith's win over Wests Tigers on Sunday, and has already battled two hamstring injuries earlier this year. NSW are confident the Samoan winger will be fine to train on Saturday, before the team flies to Perth on Sunday and attempts to wrap up the series next Wednesday. The Blues have an opposed session against The Entrance's team from Newcastle's rugby league competition on Thursday, and want a natural winger to feature in the game. Kiraz has not previously featured in a NSW squad, but the Canterbury flyer was favoured to win a spot on the wing for game one before a calf injury ruled him out. NSW do have other outside backs in camp with Brisbane centre Kotoni Staggs and Penrith winger Tom Jenkins brought in as extra training bodies earlier in the week. Matt Burton is also in the team as 18th man having previously played as a centre, but Kiraz is clearly the top option if To'o has further setbacks. To'o's fitness will be key to the Blues' hopes of winning in Perth, given he has been the best winger in the NRL for the past five years and a leader for early-set yardage. NSW have already suffered one blow ahead of Origin II, with Warriors prop Mitchell Barnett ruled out a fortnight ago when he suffered a season-ending ACL rupture. NSW have called Jacob Kiraz into camp as cover for Brian To'o, with the Penrith winger battling hamstring soreness seven days out from State of Origin II. Blues officials insisted on Wednesday that Kiraz's call up was only precautionary, with NSW medical staff keen to keep To'o off his feet on Thursday. To'o is believed to have pulled up sore from Penrith's win over Wests Tigers on Sunday, and has already battled two hamstring injuries earlier this year. NSW are confident the Samoan winger will be fine to train on Saturday, before the team flies to Perth on Sunday and attempts to wrap up the series next Wednesday. The Blues have an opposed session against The Entrance's team from Newcastle's rugby league competition on Thursday, and want a natural winger to feature in the game. Kiraz has not previously featured in a NSW squad, but the Canterbury flyer was favoured to win a spot on the wing for game one before a calf injury ruled him out. NSW do have other outside backs in camp with Brisbane centre Kotoni Staggs and Penrith winger Tom Jenkins brought in as extra training bodies earlier in the week. Matt Burton is also in the team as 18th man having previously played as a centre, but Kiraz is clearly the top option if To'o has further setbacks. To'o's fitness will be key to the Blues' hopes of winning in Perth, given he has been the best winger in the NRL for the past five years and a leader for early-set yardage. NSW have already suffered one blow ahead of Origin II, with Warriors prop Mitchell Barnett ruled out a fortnight ago when he suffered a season-ending ACL rupture.


West Australian
13 hours ago
- West Australian
UGSFL 2025: A one-point Williams victory marks their second win for the season
Williams notched a nailbiting one-point win at home while Narrogin and Katanning Wanderers were also impressive winners in round six of the Upper Great Southern Football League competition on Sunday. The Cats claimed their second win of the season, coming from behind in the last quarter to beat Brookton-Pingelly. Both teams kicked three goals in the final stanza, but the home side managed 3.3 as the claimed a tense victory, 10.7 (67) to 10.6 (66). The Panthers kicked the first goal of the game and led by a single point at quarter time. There was plenty of pressure from both sides but the Cats hit back with four majors to the Panthers' one, giving them at a comfortable 19-point lead at half-time. The tables turned in third quarter, as the visitors took control with four majors to hold a slender one-point lead at three quarter time. Jackson Ryan and Gerard Medlen proved vital for the Cats with three and two goals respectively while Kyle Shanahan, Simon Panizza, Bradley Jetta, Brady Hill and Nic Fry were outstanding as the Cats clawed their way across the line. For the Panthers, Finn O'Reilly was dynamite in the forward half booting five majors in a losing affair. Panthers Ryley Conlan was strong in the air with his marks while Jacob Sounness, Liam Beacom, Adam Brock, Finn Taylor and Bailey Parsons all worked tirelessly. Reigning premiers Boddington had their winning streak ended by a feisty Narrogin side, with the previously unstoppable team finally roadblocked with a 26-point defeat at Clayton Road Oval. Malachi Bolton stunned for the new ladder-topping Hawks, booting a whopping seven majors in the upset, well supported in victory by Brad Timms, Coen Jackman, Declan Phillips, Tom Kilpatrick and Fraser Goode. Ben Sherry (one goal), Matt Giumelli (one), Blake Reynolds, Jarrod Salmeri, Jacob Schorer, Jordan Hughes and Luke Kirk (three) all shone for the Eagles in their first loss of the season, 13.15 (93) to 10.7 (67). Katanning Wanderers were keen to impress at home on a special memorial pink day, rallying from a neck-and-neck third term to dispatch Wagin with a 14.13 (97) to 11.8 (74) win. Corey Eades, Joshua McMahon (both three) and James Laurino (two) starred as the Tigers headline act as they kicked five goals in the final term to steal a 23-point win. Jake Blight, Braydon Keley and Thomas Hamon also played well for the Tigers. The Bulldogs were best served by Nick Menegola, George Gibson, Nicholas McMahon, Riley Hill, Alfred Finlayson and Max Mumme. Kukerin-Dumbleyung took a strong early lead and were on track for an upset win over Wickepin at Nenke Oval. The Cougars and entered the long break 35 points up but their confidence was rattled in the second half, and they rolled over as the Warriors went on to win 12.16 (88) to 9.8 (62). Ryan Melvin (four) and David Roche (three) were the main avenues to goal for the visitors while Dion Anthony, Flynn Spark, Damon Watt and Royce Melvin were also influential. The home side were well led by Will Liston, Howie Clegg (four), Jye Depane, Charlie Keast, Matt Dare and Mitchell O'Neill.