The rookie who finally got the Panthers machine into gear against the Broncos on Sunday could and should have been lost to rugby union.
Luron Patea, whose try gave the Panthers their mojo back at Suncorp, played both league and union in his early days.
When he won Australian Schoolboys selection in union three years ago, that seemed his path.
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And his father Ronnie is a leading union coach in the Penrith area who was desperate to see his boy make his name in the 15-a-side game.
Luron Patea has emerged as a rising star for the Panthers. Getty
But Patea fell in love with league – and the Panthers are glad he did after the 20-year-old’s moment of power just before half time.
With the Panthers looking clunky and trailing 8-6, the burly prop came off the bench and charged through the teeth of the Broncos defence, rattling the Brisbane forwards.
Two minutes later, with the Broncos still shaky, Nathan Cleary stepped through the line and at 20-8, the Panthers were on course for a mighty win that will restore their confidence for the tough road ahead.
DOGS WINGER SET FOR ORIGIN DEBUT?
Is Stephen Crichton playing Bulldogs teammate Jacob Kiraz into a Blues Origin jumper?
The pair were dynamic against the Titans on the right edge of the Canterbury attack yesterday, combining for two tries as Kiraz scored an eye-catching hat-trick.
Kiraz has been in contention for a call-up all season and his slick performance in Magic Round may just put him in the ‘must be picked’ category for coach Laurie Daley.
There are few wingers in better form and Kiraz has the size, physicality and toughness to make the step up.
HASLER’S JOB IN JEOPARDY OVER WINGER’S DEFICIENCY
Alofiana Khan-Pereira epitomises the Titans team. The flashy winger can score long range tries – as he did with a 90 metre effort against the Bulldogs yesterday.
But the speedster is also suspect in defence and is targeted by rival teams who love coming down his edge.
Against the Dogs, Khan-Pereira missed EIGHT tackles, making just three successful ones as his team suffered another heavy loss.
Until the Titans repair their defensive woes, Des Hasler’s job will remain in jeopardy.
ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR BENJI
It’s a testament to Benji Marshall’s man-management skills as much as his coaching ability that the Tigers have won both their games since Lachlan Galvin has been reinstated into the team.
Benji Marshall. Getty
The Tigers’ season was in danger of imploding when Galvin was dropped following his dispute with the club and the Tigers slumped to a loss to last-placed Parramatta.
But Marshall bit the bullet, put Galvin back into the team despite clear tension in the camp – and the Tigers have scored impressive wins over the Sharks and Dragons.
Galvin and Jarome Luai – the man who slammed him on social media – are combining well on the field and the crisis appears to be past.
CONSIDER SJ’S BOOTS FILLED
Is Luke Metcalf the most improved player of 2025?
The 26-year-old managed just seven games for the Warriors in 2024, making little impact.
But this year he has made the No.7 jumper his own, already doubling his try tally from last season of three to six and improving all other aspects of his game.
The speedster is filling Shaun Johnson’s big boots and steering the Warriors towards the finals.
Against the Cowboys in Brisbane he was superb with two tries and several breaks and was the difference between two closely-matched teams in a thriller.
KNIGHTS COACH’S RISK PAYS OFF
Adam O’Brien is under pressure at the Knights, but has come up with one of the most successful gambles of the season to date.
O’Brien has a host of playmakers in his ranks but knew they weren’t the answer – so he moved winger Fletcher Sharpe to five-eighth over the summer in a major shock.
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In a season of few highs, Sharpe has been a revelation.
His hat-trick against a depleted Souths outfit on Saturday was pure grace and speed and has taken some of the pressure off O’Brien… for the moment at least.
ROOSTERS ENFORCER STANDS UP
The Roosters have plenty of superstars in their ranks, but tough guy Victor Radley has developed into the heart and soul of the team’s unlikely finals charge.
After losing a host of experience over the summer and buying no big names, 2025 looked like being a year of transition at Bondi.
Victor Radley after the Roosters’ win against the Dolphins. Getty
But the Roosters are right in the hunt for finals footy with a respectable 4-5 record after nine games, after a tough early draw. And it’s been Radley leading the way.
While the likes of James Tedesco and Mark Nawaqanitawase earning the plaudits out wide, Victor the Inflictor has been doing the grunt work up the middle.
In the hard-fought 36-26 defeat of the unpredictable Dolphins he scored a try in each half by pure grit and tough running up the middle and while he is in this form, he will give the Roosters a chance of getting on top of any pack in the league.
HYNES PASSSES HUGE TEST
The challenge of an attacking shootout with Mitchell Moses saw Nicho Hynes find his best form of the season in the Magic Round opener.
Moses was great in a brave Eels side – but Hynes was better, laying on three tries in his team’s 28-18 win.
Hynes and Brayden Trindall have been taking turns leading the Sharks attack and at Suncorp, it was the former Dally M winner in the driving seat.
The classy halfback revelled against the Eels, giving his outside men time and space and the speedy Sharks back did the rest.
Hynes has been a little hot-cold this season but such a strong performance on the big Magic stage will work wonders for his confidence for the long road ahead.
