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Sport Nation
What Voss liked about the Panthers after close defeat
Nicholas Quinlan • March 21st, 2025 10:35 am
Andrew Voss has lauded the performance of Penrith after their performance against the Melbourne Storm on Thursday night despite having lost the match.
In the Grand Final rematch, the Panthers just came up short against the Storm losing 30-24 at AAMI Park after being down 14-0 within the first 20 minutes of the match.
And this was without Nathan Cleary after ruled out in the eighth minute in the match with a grade one concussion.
Speaking on SEN’s Breakfast with Vossy and Brandy, Voss was keen to give his kudos to the Panthers and their emerging stars.
“I saw more character in the Penrith performance last night, than maybe most of their wins from the last five years,” Voss said.
“In defeat last night, I’m calling on Fox, Cole to Jenkins to McLean, it was not the stars.
“Jack Cole was magnificent, I mean a bunch of players and Blaize Talagi has to come into the side, I mean we are talking rookies, and they were quite incredible.”
Throughout the game, Penrith managed to control the majority of possession in the game as they worked themselves back into the game.
As mentioned by Voss, the performance of their young stars were an important part to Penrith getting back in the game and even at points leading in the second half.
Jack Cole in particular, would take on a more ball playing role than what he typically does without Cleary alongside his kicking duties which saw Cole go for 318 kicking meters all game and 101 running meters.
The difference would prove to be in the kicking game with Melbourne converting 80% of their try conversions compared to Penrith’s 40%.
When asked by Matty Russell if Cleary being out was the difference between Penrith winning and losing, Voss was unsure if he would have swayed the result in the Panthers’ favour.
“Here’s the greatest contrast,” Voss explained.
“Melbourne, they scored a try in the second half like this, it goes Harry Grant, to Jarome Hughes, to Cameron Munster, a little kick; Ryan Papenhuyzen (check spelling) try.
“In the next set, Penrith go, Mitch Kenny who’s a great player of course, to Jack Cole, to Blaize Talagi, to Casey McLean. Like it’s not the same.
“Yet they were competing blow for blow.”
Penrith have their Round 4 fixture against the South Sydney Rabbitohs which will take place next Thursday at Accor Stadium.
