Finals Week One wrap: Jersey Flegg Cup

Game Summary 

Sam Kosack

The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs have taken an important step towards defending their crown, defeating the Penrith Panthers 32-6 at Leichhardt Oval today. 

In the first of four games at Leichhardt Oval, the 2023 and 2022 premiers went head to head with Bulldogs’ halfback Cassius Tia instrumental in leading the Bulldogs to a dominant win. 

Camped on the Panthers’ line, it was the Bulldogs who opened the scoring 10 minutes in through prop Damon Marshall. Hooker Rueben Moyle took full advantage of a rushing Penrith line, popping a short ball to Marshall who simply fell over the line for the opening points.

Winger Ratu Rinakama extended the Bulldogs’ lead to 12 soon after, capping off a well-orchestrated left side play from Cassius Tia. Tia was influential in the set leading up to the try before having two touches in the final play, including the decisive pass. 

A penalty for a strip directly in front of the goals gave Tia an easy shot at two, extending their lead to 14 at halftime. 

Needing to score first, first tackle errors from both teams put Penrith in prime field position and they took full advantage. Similar to Canterbury’s first try, Panthers’ hooker Zack Lamont sent lock Billy Phillips crashing over with a short ball and Jett Cleary converted for a 14-6 scoreline. 

Continuing to take the game by the horns however, Cassius Tia got his second try assist, laying on an inch perfect grubber for a flying Danny Gabrael to score untouched. 

Seven minutes later, Tia was involved again, this time setting up another try for fullback Taye Cochrane with a silky inside ball . The halfback converted the try for a 26-6 scoreline with 20 minutes remaining. 

It was deja vu for the Bulldogs five minutes later, with Cochrane scoring in almost identical fashion to his first; a Cassius Tia inside ball opening a gaping hole in the Penrith defence for Cochrane to go sailing through. Tia, now having four try assists for the game, converted for a 26-point lead, which is how it would remain at fulltime. 

Talking Points

• If this game was an orchestra, Cassius Tia was its conductor. The halfback had four try assists and six conversions, proving simply unstoppable. 
• The Bulldogs’ starting middle of Fahmy Toilalo, Damon Marshall, and Callum Donaldson established a great platform for Tia to play off, and the Panthers were never quite able to respond. 

Key Moment

Tia’s grubber to Gabrael for the Bulldogs’ first second half try proved a crucial moment. Having reduced the deficit to eight, a Panthers’ comeback was a viable possibility. However, Tia’s second try assist began a streak of three quick fire tries to Canterbury which they were unable to stop. 

What’s Next

The Bulldogs play the Canberra Raiders for a one-way ticket express to the grand final, while the Panthers will play the victor of the Knights and Sharks to remain in the finals. 

Elimination Final: (5th) Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 24 def. (4th) Newcastle Knights 6

Game Summary

Daneie Geddes

The Cronulla Sharks have booked their ticket to the second week of the Jersey Flegg Cup Finals with a commanding 22-6 point win over the Newcastle Knights in a thrilling Elimination Final at Leichhardt Oval.

The Sharks wasted no time with halfback Riley Pollard opening the scoring just three minutes into the match. Pollard powered over the left edge to score the first try (4-0).  

Cronulla's momentum continued with two more tries inside the opening 10 minutes. Hooker Chaz Jarvis deceived the Knights' defence with a clever dummy from the play-the-ball, crossing the line for the Sharks' second try (10-0).  

The Sharks were relentless, with prop Salesi Ataata nearly adding another try, only to be held just short by the Knights defence. Cronulla kept the pressure on, forcing a Newcastle dropout to regain possession.

After changing sets for the next several minutes, Sharks winger Kristian Dixon capitalised on a loose ball from Newcastle, breaking through the defence to score an unexpected try while the Knights were in possession. The successful conversion took the Sharks to a commanding 16-0 lead.

Despite Newcastle's scramble to score before the halftime siren, they couldn't break the Sharks defence. Cronulla held a solid 16-0 lead heading into the break.

Newcastle came knocking on the door early in the second, hungry to put some points on the board. 10 minutes in they swept the ball out left but a tight Cronulla defence shut down the opportunity. They kept building momentum and tried the same play again, this time to find success through Logan Aoake (16-6).

The Knights looked to build momentum, but a series of errors halted their progress. A knock-on ruling was overturned on appeal, granting them a penalty and a fresh set, but they lost possession again, stalling their drive. As Newcastle began to recover, a forward pass dashed their hopes of mounting a comeback.

With the clock ticking down, the Knights intensified their efforts, but Cronulla sealed the deal. In the final four minutes, winger Te Wehi Waitere crossed over in the corner, putting the result beyond doubt.

The Sharks secured a 24-6 victory, weathering Newcastle’s late surge to book their spot in the Jersey Flegg Cup semi-finals.

Talking Points

• Cronulla’ dominated the first six minutes of possession in the opening stages, setting the tone early.
• Knights' had an injury setback with Logan Aoake leaving the field with a lower-leg injury, replaced by Myles Martin.
• Talonoa Penitani starred for the Sharks, contributing to several key moments of the game in both defence and attack.

Key Moment

In the 8th minute, Chaz Jarvis’ clever dummy from the play-the-ball set the stage for Cronulla's early dominance.

What’s Next?

The Sharks advance to Week 2 of the Jersey Flegg Cup Finals, awaiting their next opponent. For the Knights, their season comes to an end.