Knights Found On T1 Western Line Tracks; Service Delays Expected

Like a freight-train through butter, the Penrith Panthers powered through the listless Newcastle Knights on Thursday night in Greater Western Sydney. Holding on for dear life through 60 minutes, the Novocastrians grip on reality eventually gave way as they succumbed to the cold steel of the T1 Western Line's screeching wheels.

Giving up just 44 points through seven games this season, Penrith's defense was on full display all night. Only giving up a try after Viliame Kikau pulled out of a high-shot to avoid a penalty - giving Starford To'a open pasture to fend his way to pay dirt - Newcastle didn't look like scoring before or after. Fit, fast and stout, the Panthers will be a hard to score against on the best of nights, and holding Kalyn Ponga to a relatively quiet night for his lofty standards is a testament to that. Not the most entertaining of styles, they're hard-nosed play will have the old-heads in the free-to-air commentary box dying to explain to you why this is how the game should be played and all other forms are invalid. *hard cough* Phil Gould.

Brian To'o deserves his own mention - racking up 337 metres and scoring the last try of the night - he might be the fifth most important part of Penrith's outfit; a grave concern for opponents and goes to show how deep and talented the competition leaders are. Taking a nana-nap on Grandfinal day might be all that can stop the boys at the foot of the mountains.

Newcastle was able to keep hope alive with abrupt defense of their own, but with roughly 15 minutes of uninterrupted play - ending in the 60th minute - it felt like a matter of when, not if, the Panthers were going over next. Seven minutes later, at 18 - 6, the game was on ice. Admirable in their resilience, the final score was not an indication of how the game was played. That being said, my fright train analogies will not be alter. Call Emu Plains Station, their service is delayed, we've got bodies on the tracks. Toot-toot.

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Quick Hits:

• Too many ironic moustaches, either fluff those caterpillars up or ask John Waters if you can borrow his look. There is no in between.

• Jarome Luai's 8 year old excitement levels when Penrith scores is both very sweet and concerning, if they win it all this year cardiac response units will need to be on hand.

• Penriths warm up shirt looks like 19th century prison garb for inmates out on labour.

• Panthers stadium naming rights needs to calm down - six in 10 years is too much - or at least let Penrith Panthers Aqua Golf get a decent look in.