Live: Panthers and Roosters locked in tight heavyweight battle
Points are at a premium as the Panthers take on the Roosters in the NRL's minor premiership battle. Follow live.
The Sydney Roosters have claimed the top spot in the NRL ladder for the first time in five years, defeating the Penrith Panthers 12-6 at Parramatta Stadium. Daly Cherry-Evans scored two tries, while Sam Walker's performance was instrumental in the victory. Walker has opted to postpone contract discussions until after the finals, allowing him to focus on the team's performance.
The Roosters, who have won their last eight consecutive games, now face Wests Tigers, the Dolphins, and South Sydney to conclude their regular season. Penrith, previously the season's leaders, now face the threat of dropping out of the top two. Penrith missed a crucial try and was penalized for a disruptor penalty, which the commentary described as "disgraceful."
The Panthers struggled defensively throughout the game, with their coach Ivan Cleary expressing disappointment in their execution. Roosters coach Trent Robinson praised his team's defense and credited Cody Ramsey and Walker for their outstanding performances.
Written by urgent.news from ABC News AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
