After a horrific injury to star halfback Nicho Hynes, the Panthers defeated Cronulla 42-0 in a Shark Park masterpiece.
Before it was certain Hynes wouldn’t return, he left the pitch for an HIA in the first half while Michael Maguire was watching from the stands.
The Sharks medics decided to put him on ice because of the swelling score line, which was Penrith’s largest-ever victory in the Shire, while he remained sidelined due to calf stiffness.
Less than twenty-four hours remain before Maguire selects his NSW squad, and Hynes is the clear favourite to wear the No. 7 shirt ahead of the opening game of the series.
The first four-pointer was made by prop James Fisher-Harris, who was running down the middle of the park, after a deft ball from Mitch Kenny.
In the subsequent encounter, Jarome Luai—another potential Origin player—demolished the Cronulla defence with remarkable ease while wearing the No. 6 shirt.
“Maguire is observing, only a day away from being chosen. Michael Ennis stated, “What he’s seen so far will greatly impress him.”
Former Bulldog Paul Alamoti crossed next, before Dylan Edwards barged his way over on the right side of the field.
Edwards has been locked in a heated battle for the Blues’ fullback spot with incumbent James Tedesco, and the Panthers gun did nothing to hurt his credentials against Cronulla.
Young gun Jack Cole also scored seconds before halftime, finishing off his own kick with deflected off a Sharks defender and fell into his path.
He completed his best performance in first grade on Saturday night, assisting two tries to go with his four-pointer which saw the Panthers lead 28-0 at the break.
After half time a Kenny kick put Liam Henry through to score under the posts, while Scott Sorensen came back to haunt his former side.
He flew onto a kick, dicing between Sharks defenders to score a hand the Panthers a 40-point deficit, compounding Cronulla’s woes.
A penalty goal then pushed the difference out to 42 — Penrith’s biggest ever win at Cronulla.
To close out the clash, Moses Leota was sent to the sin bin for forceful contact to Jesse Ramien’s head.
MAGUIRE’S NICHO NIGHTMARE
Pre-match, Nicho Hynes basically had the NSW No. 7 jersey but a poor performance capped off by a calf issue must now have Maguire scratching his head.
Hynes made several errors with the boot and went off in the 33rd minute for a HIA after copping a knee to the head from Isaah Yeo.
His troublesome calf was tight in the sheds and he didn’t return in the second half as per club medicos orders.
What’s more is Maguire made it clear mid-week he doesn’t want to select players who are hampered by a niggling injury.
“I’d like them up and running to start with,” Maguire told The Big Sports Breakfast.
“You don’t have a lot of time with them on the field. Using Cody as an example, I’ve been very transparent with a lot of the players and where they’re at.
“You just never know what could happen this weekend. I’ve got a pretty open mind about where we’re at. I’m very lucky I’ve got great players in good form.”
However, with Mitchell Moses and Nathan Cleary both sidelined, he may have no choice but to pick Hynes.
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