Rabbitohs: South Sydney issued a Good Friday hiding to the Bulldogs, winning 38-0 at ANZ Stadium. The ferocious contest was eerily similar to last week’s preliminary final as the Panthers ground out a 12-10 win thanks to a late Kurt Capewell try. Panthers: The Panthers first real test of the season came in the third round in a grand final replay against the Storm. It was a Cody Walker masterpiece but his performance was overshadowed by a season-ending injury for the Roosters’ Luke Keary. Rabbitohs: The building blocks for a successful season were laid further with a 26-16 win over bitter rivals, the Roosters. The hallmarks of what would be the best defensive side of the season were coming to fruition as the Panthers beat the Bulldogs 28-0. Panthers: For the second week running, Penrith kept another side scoreless.

On a rain-soaked night, the Rabbitohs’ Jayden Su’A was sin-binned as a brawl sparked on the field.Ī bloodied Marty Taupau tries to stop Souths’ Dane Gagai. Rabbitohs: Souths got their season going in the second round with a 26-12 win over Manly but it was a match remembered more for the on-field violence. The Panthers were already a well-oiled machine while questions over tactical decisions of Cowboys coach Todd Payten arose immediately. Against a Cowboys side under new management, Penrith made light work of North Queensland, winning 24-0. Panthers: The Panthers started the season brightly.

Tactical intervention game