NRL finals live updates: Penrith Panthers vs Sydney Roosters — blog, scores and stats

There is no need for Penrith to keep Nathan Cleary on the field for the final three minutes —and he is coming off.

The Panthers’ faithful have given their star halfback a standing ovation.

Number 19 Brad Schneider has come onto the field.

Luke Garner has a double.

The second-row forward grounds a grubber kick from Nathan Cleary and just about wins the game for Penrith.

It came off the back of a massive run from Panthers fullback Dylan Edwards, who made a 60-metre run after returning a deep kick from the Roosters.

He started on his 30-metre line, and he was brought down just 10 metres from the try line.

The Roosters are penalised for being offside and the Panthers decided to tap and go for the try.

They have their try and hold a 30-10 lead.

The Roosters are chancing their arm, and the Panthers are starting to look tired in defence.

A terrific passing sequence has led to Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i streaking away for a certain try.

But Ashley Klein’s whistle has sounded.

Ash says the final pass from James Tedesco has gone forward.

Oh boy, it’s a tight call.

I am prepared to back Klein on the call, but I have seen much worse, missed.

The Panthers thought they had scored through Moses Leota.

The crowd goes crazy, but the Panthers look less enthused.

There was a contest for a high kick, where replays show Liam Martin getting a small knock-on, before the ball ends up in Leota’s arms.

Both teams probably needed this small break. It has been back and forth for close to 10 minutes.

The television broadcast has just shown ground staff checking the air pressure in the footies.

Before converting the Roosters’ second try, kicker Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i was complaining to referee Ashley Klein that the footy he had was deflated.

It didn’t bother Joey too much, who kicked the goal from the right sideline.

But it looks like we have done a check of the footies.

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The Roosters have their second try — they look like a new team.

Is the team attacking the southern end of Panthers Stadium running downhill?

James Tedesco scores after Penrith put themselves under pressure.

Penrith gave away a penalty 15 metres from their line.

Paul Alamoti clearly knocked a Sydney chaser to the ground, as Penrith fullback Dylan Edwards took a high-ball uncontested.

The Roosters are now throwing everything at the Panthers. Six-again restart conceded.

The Roosters are threatening, and James Tedesco busts through and scores in the right corner.

Sua’ali’i kicks the goal and it is 24-10.

Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i has the opening try for the Chooks.

The Roosters started the set on their own 40-metre line, after Penrith’s attempt at a last-tackle attack went over the touchline.

Penrith give up a six-again restart and the Roosters go to work.

Sydney swung the ball from right to left.

James Tedesco runs with the ball in both hands, draws in defenders, and gives it to Sua’ali’i who crashes over the line.

Joey couldn’t convert his own try — 24-4.

A few things were missed in that first half.

• Roosters hooker Connor Watson is on report for a crusher tackle on James Fisher-Harris.
• Luke Keary has been with the trainer a few times. He appeared to injure his hand in a tackle, and came off worse for wear after tackling Liam Martin on the goalline.
• The Roosters made 237 tackles in the first half. Penrith made 141 tackles.

Sydney had the final chance of the first half, but a last-play kick to the corner of Daniel Tupou went over the deadball line.

The Panthers crowd are on their feet and chanting as Penrith go up the tunnel.

“PANTHERS, PANTHERS, PANTHERS”.

Four tries and a resolute defence has guided them to a 24-0 lead over the Roosters at half-time.

The Roosters weren’t bad. But they hardly had the footy.

One thing I have not mentioned is the brilliance of Nathan Cleary and Jahrome Luai’s kicking game in that first half.

They ensured the Roosters started every set deep in their own end.

It was take something out of the ordinary — you’d think — for the Roosters to make something out of this contest.

So what is a sin-bin, and what isn’t?

Roosters’ five-eighth Luke Keary has been penalised in front of the posts for holding back a Penrith player who was chasing a kick towards the in-goal.

Penrith gets a penalty, but it has been ruled as an escort rather than a professional foul, denying a Panther a chance of scoring?

ABC Sport caller Andrew Moore has called it a “blatant sin-bin”.

Sideline eye John Gibbs says it is a “garden variety sin-bin”.

Feels like that has been a sin-bin all year.

Cleary kicks the goal and makes it 24-0.

By all rights, the Roosters should have a try.

But the Penrith Panthers are playing on another level.

Nathan Cleary had a kick charged down by Sydney hooker Connow Watson.

Watson picks up the ball and there is no one in front of him.

But Cleary retreats and makes the try-saving tackle.

Penrith seemingly had their defensive line set before Sydney had a dummy half.

The Roosters had a full set on the line, but they were repelled bu this brilliant football side.

Luke Garner scores. Penrith have four tries. 

Garner carried three Roosters over the line and grounded the footy.

Roosters’ winger Daniel Tupou dropped a massive bomb-kick from Nathan Cleary.

It’s Tupou’s second drop of the first half.

That has given Penrith another full set at the Chooks’ goalline.

This has been 23 perfect minutes of rugby league.

Alarm bells are ringing loudly for the Roosters.

The Penrith Panthers are “applying the blowtorch” according to ABC Sport’s sideline eye John Gibbs.

Nathan Cleary forces the Roosters into a goalline drop-out. The subsequent set was too much for the Roosters, who gave up another late six-again restart.

Jahrome Luai’s dancing feet sliced through the Roosters’ defence and extended the Penrith lead.

Cleary’s kick makes it 16-0.

“They’re breaking down the Roosters, every play ever set” — Luke Lewis, ABC Sport.

Penrith are making their own luck.

Nathan Cleary on final tackle puts a small, looping kick, to the goalline.

The ball is aimed at the goal post — IT HITS THE GOAL POST.

The ball bounces off the shoulder of a Rooster, hits the ground, and is collected by IzackTago who grounds the footy.

Cleary makes it 10-0.

The defending premiers are the first to score.

Winger Brian To’o has scored in the right corner, after brushing off a would-be tackle from James Tedesco.

Penrith were given a golden opportunity when Roosters winger Daniel Tupou dropped a high ball.

The home side had a scrum, 10 metres out, in front of the posts.

The Roosters defended well but gave up a six-again restart on the fifth tackle.

That was too much for the Chooks, as Penrith scored.

Nathan Cleary misses the conversion from the sideline.

Referee Ashley Klein has blown his whistle — the Panthers kick-off to begin the NRL finals.

The Roosters receive the ball and will be running to the left of your screen.

Nat Butcher takes the opening hit-up and is met by the Penrith welcoming committee. 

Let me know your thoughts on the footy all night though our comments section.

Hello Mike.

Thanks for joining the ABC Sport live blog.

The Roosters have a lot of players out — Smith, JWH, Walker.

But it doesn’t matter who is out — it matters who is in.

Penrith have won the last nine matches between these two clubs.

Hello KB.

Thanks for joining the ABC Sport live blog — and that is very nice of you.

I believe we are on the cusp of a magnificent finals series.

Tonight is going to be fun.

If you want to join the ABC Sport blog community, leave your thoughts on all things footy in the comments section.