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The Panthers chalked up their first win of the season in a 16-10 victory over the Rabbitohs on Thursday night, but an injury suffered by Nathan Cleary soured the result.
Panthers winger Brian To’o fell out of a tackle late in the first half and crashed into Cleary’s left leg, leaving the champion halfback with a sore ankle.
Penrith scored a try through Izack Tago on the stroke of half-time, but the goal-kicking duties were left to Stephen Crichton as Cleary scurried up the tunnel to see the club’s medical staff.
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Cleary returned for the second half but moved around the park with a heavy limp.
Panthers coach Ivan Cleary had little to say about the injury in his press conference after the BlueBet Stadium clash.
“They (the medical workers) didn’t seem too worried at half-time after they looked at it,” Cleary said.
“We’ll have to assess it (on Friday).
“Might be a good time for a bye next week, considering.”
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The Panthers jumped out to a 16-0 lead in 52 minutes as Crichton, Tago and To’o crossed for tries, but the Tago four-pointer was dubious.
The young centre was awarded a try after Luke Garner dropped the ball while taking a hit-up near halfway, with the officials deeming the former Wests Tigers forward lost it back.
The Rabbitohs were then afforded their own dose of luck after Alex Johnston dotted down to close the deficit to 16-4 in the 67th minute.
Michael Chee Kam’s left arm may have made contact with the ground before the ball was dished off on the left edge. If that was the case, Chee Kam should have been deemed tackled.
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The Rabbitohs nabbed another try through Isaiah Tass with less than two minutes remaining on the clock, which Latrell Mitchell converted to reduce the deficit to 16-10.
Mitchell received the footy in space on the left edge and, after receiving a no-look flick pass from the superstar fullback, Tass kicked the ball and outran Dylan Edwards to plant the footy.
South Sydney had one more set, but Penrith snuffed out the visitors.
The Rabbitohs will face the Roosters at Allianz Stadium next Friday night and, after breaking for a bye, the Panthers will meet the Eels in a grand final rematch at CommBank Stadium.
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