Round 24 of the 2026 NRL season kicked off on Thursday, August 13th, with the Penrith Panthers hosting the Sydney Roosters in a key match that could determine the minor premiership.

Both teams entered the game equal on competition points, heightening the stakes of the encounter. Penrith's Dylan Edwards was declared fit to play, providing a boost for the Panthers. However, the Roosters faced a setback as their fullback James Tedesco was ruled out for the second consecutive week.

The match featured intense plays, including a notable sequence where Alamoti tapped back a Cleary bomb leading to a contested corner try claim that was ruled out after Bunker review confirmed the player's feet touched the sideline. The Panthers maintained possession through several repeat sets caused by errors from the Roosters, including knock-ons by Radley and Nawaqanitawase.

Despite the Roosters managing a restart late in the count, a subsequent dropped ball handed Penrith an attacking opportunity. After recent inconsistent performances, the Panthers aimed to regain momentum with this crucial home game.

The outcome of this match is expected to significantly influence the minor premiership standings as the season approaches its final rounds.

Sources