The NSWRL is shining the spotlight on the 2019 Jersey Flegg Cup, selecting a weekly shortlist of the top five tries from every team in the top eight. Our team in focus this week are 2019’s third-placed Penrith Panthers. Check here every weekday for rolling coverage of the top five countdown.
The Under-20s Panthers squad looked like premiership heavyweights from the outset of the 2019 season, but were beaten at the final hurdle by eventual champions South Sydney. However, Penrith’s successful campaign was full of highlights including the NRL debut of five-eighth Matt Burton.
The Penrith Panthers were certainly the most potent attacking outfit of 2019 as they led the competition for points scored with 594, which included a plethora of superb four-pointers throughout the year.
#5
Panthers number five try
Fifth spot in the Penrith Panthers’ top five countdown was just rewards for some well-executed ball playing through the hands in Round 23 against the Bears.
In the 26th minute the ball was sent to Burton on the right edge from 10 metres out, who threw a cut-out pass for centre Tyrell Fuimaono to lay off a one-handed tip-on for his outside man Malakai Watene-Zelezniak. Zelezniak had only one man to beat and he did it with ease to score Penrith’s fifth try of the afternoon
#4
Panthers number four try
This superb solo effort from fullback Daine Laurie against the Dragons in Round three comes in at number four.
The Panthers were 40 metres out from their tryline and Terrell May took a hit up and managed to offload to Laurie who wreaked havoc on the opposition, stepping and weaving his way past at least seven would-be tacklers and didn’t stop until he got to the tryline to score a fantastic solo try.
#3
Panthers number three try
The third try in Penrith’s top five started with a set play from an inside ball which saw fullback Glenn
Mcgrady slice through the middle of the Newcastle defence at the halfway line.
With a handful of backtracking Knights in front of him, Mcgrady found No.9 Maurice Trindall in support who went on to step around two more defenders and pass to Panthers speedster Justin Jones on the left touchline. Jones cut back infield and scored the try, extending the visitors’ early lead to 10 points.
#2
Panthers number two try
This seamless piece of play against the Bulldogs in Round 20 comes in at number two. The Panthers shifted it right all the way to their winger Glenn Mcgrady, who drew the defence in and then kicked a perfectly waited chip kick into the in goal.
NSWRL Jersey Flegg Player of the Year Charlie Staines was there to catch it, skilfully beating his opponents to ball and getting it down before it went out of play.
#1
Panthers number one try
It was a 70-metre effort by five-eighth Matt Burton in Round 12 that may have been one of the best solo tries of the 2019 Jersey Flegg Cup.
Burton ran onto the ball at his own 30-metre line and stepped onto his right to beat three Sea Eagles defenders. Burton’s speed was too much for the chasers as he looked to beat the opposition fullback, where the No.6 would then put in a grubber and run over the sideline before returning the field of play and putting the ball down in the corner.
