Roosters Brave in Performance Against Penrith

In a positive, the night marked the first-grade debut of Terrell May, who became Sydney Rooster #1209 from the interchange bench as over 14,482 Roosters Members and supporters braved the wet and chilly conditions. 

The Club also celebrated another Premiership milestone with members of the 2021 NRLW Grand Final-winning side honoured pre-game as they took the field for a lap of honour in front of their adoring fans. 

A light shower covered the SCG as the two rivals began proceedings, and the Tricolours looked likely to strike the first blow as winger Joseph Suaalii bravely took on the defence before being taken into touch.

Not to be deterred, the teenager swooped to take a high ball before being taken off his feet as an intense arm wrestle ensued, with neither team able to break down the other's line.

A bruising hit from Angus Crichton forced the ball free from the visitors, only for a touch of the ball to hand over possession, and while consecutive line drop outs added further pressure, the Bondi Wall held on in their first test of the night. 

With tensions heating up, both sides were guilty of over-enthusiasm, and with the Panthers back in possession and looking to have scored, late heroics from Luke Keary, Siosiua Taukeiaho and James Tedesco held Isack Tago up over the line. 

While the bounce of the ball eluded Easts, Suaalii stood up when counted with an earth-shattering hit on second rower Viliame Kikau, forcing an error and getting the SCG crowd on their feet. 

The finals-like intensity grew as both sides threw everything at one another in search of first points, but even determined efforts from Tedesco and Suaalii couldn't stop Jarome Luai from dotting down following a break from Scott Sorensen.

A bobble of the ball saw the visitors back in attacking position soon after, and Luai was over for his double after sidestepping through the defence - giving the visitors a 12-point lead in a matter of moments. 

The Tricolours continued to ask plenty of questions in the remaining minutes of the first half, however, the scoreline was extended to 18-nil with just seconds to spare as Apisai Koroisau dived over. 

Needing a quick reversal from the sheds, Trent Robinson's men got to work quickly and were handed an early break as fullback Dylan Edwards failed to pick up a grubber just metres from the line.

The Roosters continued to punch through the line and swarm their opponents in defence with enthusiasm, and after Suaalii was tackled in the air, the try line had finally been breached as Tupou soared - but it was to no avail as the towering winger was held up.

Ball handling on the slippery surface caused havoc for both sides, and an opening came up with Penrith losing possession as Terrell May took the field as Sydney Rooster #1209, announcing himself with a barnstorming first touch. 

Mounting pressure on the line, a slick Sam Walker kick forced a drop out, but the cruel bounce of the ball saw the Steeden in the hands of Stephen Crichton, who streaked away to score a long-range effort. 

Never yielding, the resilient Roosters kept fighting through, and their effort was rewarded as a sidestepping Keary sent Tedesco crashing over through with a quarter of the match still remaining. 

Unfortunately, pressure on the try line saw James Fisher-Harris crash over, and following contact with the head, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves was dismissed to the sin-bin with an eight-point try called. 

Not going down without a fight, the Tricolours were in again as Paul Momirovski crossed - with the Roosters valiant but unable to claim the two competition points. 

The Sydney Roosters will travel to Shark Park to face the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in Round 12 as the NRL celebrates Indigenous Round. 

Sydney Roosters 12 (James Tedesco, Paul Momirovski tries; Sam Walker 2 goals) def by Penrith Panthers 32 (Jarome Luai 2, Apisai Koroisau, Stephen Crichton, James Fisher-Harris tries; Nathan Cleary 5 goals; Nathan Cleary penalty goal)