NRL live updates: Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs vs Penrith Panthers

Why oh why are Penrith so damn good?

I mean, they’ve been good before.

But this good?

As Nick Campton writes:

For all the winning Penrith have done in recent years, they’ve never won like this, with such terror and wonder.

It’s true. This year has been terrible for anyone not a fan of the boys from the foot of the mountains.

So what gives?

Campo gives his thoughts here.

71 per cent.

That’s how many of Nathan Cleary’s 199 NRL games have resulted in Panthers victories since his debut in 2016.

You can see why they love him in Penrith.

Since 2020, the Panthers have only dropped below an 80 per cent winning record twice, in 2023 (77 per cent) and last year (59 per cent).

In the 10 completed seasons he has had as a Panther, Cleary has only had a losing record once, in 2019.

It’s remarkable.

Some other numbers, because I know we’re all numbers fans, he’s scored 69 tries, kicked 747 goals at 84.5 per cent, kicked 12 field goals and four two-point field goals.

For anyone who is getting a bit over the Panthers dominance, you do have to take your hat off to the sheer quality of their play.

They are sublime and last weekend was some of the best I think I’ve ever seen.

If you were to have a quick glance at the NRL stats lists for this season, you might need to have a quick double-check of one of the leaders.

Thomas Jenkins, of the Panthers, has played five games this season.

He’s scored 12 tries already, four more than the next highest scorers Dom Young and Sua Fa’alogo.

Jenkins’s potency on the left edge is unlike anything the league can handle.

He’s also made a league-high 10 line breaks, had two try-assists and averages 199 running metres per game.

I am conscious of making a fool of myself, but I think I’d have a very hard time tipping against the Panthers any time soon.

It’s almost going to be more interesting trying to work out how many they’re going to win by, for me…

But, on a Thursday night, a Bulldogs team desperate for redemption after last week – could complacency kick in?

– AAP

Superstar Penrith halfback Nathan Cleary plays his 200th game on Thursday, joining Isaah Yeo and Moses Leota as one of three active Panthers to have made that many appearances for the club.

Cleary sits atop the Dally M Medal leaderboard after five rounds and appears in career-best form, an ominous prospect given his pivotal role in four previous premiership wins.

“This off-season in particular, I reckon he’s probably come back fitter than ever and as hungry as ever as well,” said father and coach Ivan Cleary.

The elder Cleary presented his son with his 200th jersey at Panthers headquarters on Wednesday morning.

“It’s times like this where you do reflect a little bit,” the coach said beforehand.

“Obviously very proud of him as his dad and also as his coach as well for a lot of those games. I just feel lucky to have been able to share a fair chunk of that journey with him.”

Remember when these two were on the same team?

Yikes. The thought of them coming together brings me out in a cold sweat on behalf of opposition defences.

So good luck Queensland, I suppose.

– with AAP

Cameron Ciraldo has refused to guarantee Bronson Xerri‘s future at Canterbury despite the centre’s dramatic turnaround in attitude ahead of his NRL comeback.

Stephen Crichton‘s AC joint injury clears the way for 25-year-old Xerri to line up at left centre against undefeated Penrith tonight.

The Bulldogs will have a clearer picture about Crichton’s return-to-play timeline next week, but Ciraldo expects the 12-time NSW representative will be fit for the State of Origin series opener on May 27.

“I think he’ll be ready for that,” the Bulldogs coach said.

“He got a scan, there’s nothing broken there, but the injury’s got to heal. He’s healing pretty well so far.”

Ciraldo previously voiced his disappointment at media reports saying Xerri was unhappy at the Bulldogs only hours after being told he would be axed to NSW Cup for round two.

Xerri has since reapplied himself to training at the Bulldogs and was an unused interchange player for last week’s loss to South Sydney.

His second start of the season comes at Stadium Australia in round six.

“He’s had a bit of a rocky patch there which many players go through. But his reaction in the last few weeks has been tremendous,” Ciraldo said.

“The way he’s training, the way he’s preparing and the way he’s committing himself right now, those are the signs we’re looking for.”

But Ciraldo stopped short of guaranteeing Xerri was now completely committed to the Bulldogs for the final year-and-a-half of his contract.

“We don’t need to think too far ahead right now,” Ciraldo said.

“He’s excited about the opportunity he’s got tomorrow night. He’s putting all his eggs in the preparation basket and he’ll be ready to rip in.”

Here’s how the two teams line up tonight.

Bulldogs:

Bronson Xerri comes into the side for the first time since being dropped and put on the outer earlier this year.

He was named on the bench last week but strangely did not come on when skipper Stephen Crichton was taken off with a shoulder injury.

He gets his chance tonight, though.

Harry Hayes comes into the interchange after his return from concussion was delayed last week.

Jake Turpin replaces Xerri on the six-man bench, with winger Jethro Rinakama a late call up to the bench after a successful return from shoulder injury in NSW Cup last week.

Panthers:

You don’t improve on perfection, but the Panthers have made a single change from last week’s devastating victory over the Storm.

It’s at hooker too, with Mitch Kenny returning from suspension to replace Freddy Lussick at hooker.

Izack Tago comes back onto the bench, still waiting for a first NRL appearance since last year’s preliminary final.

– with AAP

Before we get stuck into events in Sydney’s west tonight, lets go even further inland to the nation’s capital, where Canberra’s depth has suffered another blow with left winger Xavier Savage ruled out for eight weeks with an ankle injury.

Savage was cleared of any fractures after his foot got stuck underneath centre Simi Sasagi against Newcastle last Sunday.

But the Raiders’ 2024 top try scorer will still spend a lengthy stint on the sidelines, adding further strain to Canberra’s roster.

Sasagi is already filling in for Matt Timoko (foot) while Matty Nicholson (shoulder) is out for at least three months.

Jed Stuart has replaced Savage for their clash with South Sydney on Saturday in Perth.

The match is looming as a crucial one for last year’s minor premiers as they look to snap a four-game losing streak, which has caused them to drop to second last on the NRL ladder.

Back-rower Hudson Young said Stuart is experienced, having played in the top-grade squad last year.

“He’s a velcro out there. He doesn’t miss any tackles and doesn’t drop many balls. I’m really looking forward to having Jed back in the team,” he said earlier on Thursday.

Here’s how the NRL ladder stands at the start of round six.

What’s that coming over the hill? Is it the Panthers premiership push?

Far too early for that kind of chat to be fair, but still…

Hello everyone and welcome to the ABC Sport coverage of the opening game of round six of the 2026 NRL season.

My name is Simon Smale and I am joining you for the latest installment of the perennial question: “Will insert team name here> be the ones to halt Penrith in their tracks tonight?”

The insert team name here> this week is Canterbury Bankstown, who were pretty ordinary in their 32-24 Good Friday defeat against Souths last week.

Cameron Ciraldo was upset about the refereeing – which I still find a tad baffling to be honest – but then again his side did lose the penalty count 8-2 on the night.

A bigger concern was the fact that, in the second half, they completed just 40 per cent of their sets, conceded six penalties and made 12 errors.

Given that the Storm completed at 94 per cent and were still crushed by the premiers-elect, you’d think the Dogs will have to be better this week, or else face an absolute belting tonight.\

Anyway, let’s get into it – kick off is 1950 AEST.