As it happened: 'Milk' man delivers as Panthers hold off Eels

Media conference

Kelly kills it: In the end the Eels came up empty but not for want of trying and winger Brian Kelly typified the effort with 23 runs for 251 metres, including 98 post-contact metres. Kelly broke three tackles and also came up with a big play on half-time where he grubbered down a narrow channel on the sideline and drew a professional foul from Thomas Jenkins who was sent to the bin.

Just To'o good: Panthers winger Brian To'o was at his tackle busting best as he came up with a monster 221 metres from 21 runs while also breaking eight tackles. Paul Alamoti also came up with eight tackle breaks in a typically robust display.

Full-time: The Panthers go four points clear at the top of the table after a professional victory achieved with only 12 men on the field for a quarter of the match. The Eels led 12-0 early but couldn't come up with the big plays when the Panthers were down a man and in the end it was a 12th loss of the season for the blue and golds.

80 min: One last shot for the Eels but Billy Scott scrambles back to cover up after the Eels had chipped ahead. Game over.

79 min: Mitch Moses puts Jack Williams into a hole between Blaize Talagi and Isaiah Papali'i and the prop has a double. Moses converts. Panthers 24-18

77 min: Brian To'o makes a safe catch off a Mitch Moses spiral bomb and bamboozles a number of Eels defenders.

74 min: Will Penisini explodes into space and the Eels look a chance to score but the final pass goes astray and Brian To'o picks up the scraps.

71 min: Tallyn Da Silva has his back turned to a Nathan Cleary clearing kick and it collects him in the back of the head. The Eels rake leaves the field for a HIA.

70 min: The Eels sweep the ball to the right and Brian Kelly puts in a grubber but Jaxen Edgar is there to cover up as he continues an impressive night in just his second NRL appearance.

67 min: Thomas Jenkins has a club record 26 tries in a season as he finishes off a stunning team try that featured kicks by Nathan Cleary and Blaize Talagi, a great tap-back by Paul Alamoti and Eels defenders scrambling everywhere to try and shut it down. Cleary converts. Panthers 24-12

64 min: Brian To'o is worked on the ground by Will Penisini and the penalty allows the Panthers an easy out from their own end.

61 min: The Panthers lose a player to the bin for the second time with Isaiah Papali'i marched for a professional foul as held back Mitch Moses when he was trying to support Kelma Tuilagi.

57 min: A six-again call on the last tackle allows the Panthers into the red zone and Liam Martin powers over the top of Ronald Volkman to give the Panthers the lead. Nathan Cleary converts. Panthers 18-12

55 min: Luca Moretti leaves the field for a HIA after copping a hip as he went in for a low tackle. He is ruled a Category 1 head knock and is out of the match.

51 min: On the back of a six-again the Panthers crank up the pressure and Nathan Cleary puts Liam Henry over under the sticks with a sweetly timed pass. Cleary adds the extras. 12-12

49 min: Thomas Jenkins is back from the bin and it's 13 on 13 again.

48 min: Nathan Cleary is under pressure on last tackle and his grubber is easily cleaned up by Teancum Brown.

47 min: A sloppy play-the-ball by Brian Kelly turns possession over on halfway.

46 min: A big play by Brian To'o to come up with an ankle tap on Jordan Samrani who had found some space on the left edge and was looking to set up support.

44 min: Kitione Kautoga drives in late on Paul Alamoti who comes down awkwardly but first contact was with Alamoti's hip so it's play-on.

Hungry Jack: Eels prop Jack Williams was in everything in the opening 40. Williams had eight powerful runs for 69 metres, three tackle breaks and made 19 tackles. He also came up with the 14th try of his career in game No.163.

Half-time: The Eels will have a one-man advantage for the first eight minutes of the second half and have given themselves a shot at a huge upset. The Eels completed 18 of 22 sets at 81 per cent and ran for 855 metres to Penrith's 707.

40 min: Nathan Cleary goes with the low, worm burner dropout which Brian Kelly claims and grubbers into the in-goal for himself. Thomas Jenkins interferes with Kelly on the chase and is sent to the sin bin. A huge play from Kelly on the stroke of half-time. Mitch Moses gets a shot at penalty goal from the sideline but he misses. Eels 12-6

39 min: Thomas Jenkins is pinged for a poor play-the-ball 15m out and the Eels get a last crack at points.

37 min: A long kick by Mitch Moses bounces in front of Brian To'o and touches the Panther's leg on the way into touch. Eels scrum.

36 min: Isaiah Papali'i leaves the field for a HIA which he passes.

36 min: Another pinpoint Nathan Cleary comes down on the tryline but Isaiah Iongi stands firm again to beat Thomas Jenkins in the contest.

32 min: Isaiah Papali'i gets an offload away for Thomas Jenkins to go for the corner but Mitch Moses muscles up in defence with Brian Kelly and Isaiah Iongi to bundle him into touch.

28 min: Mitch Moses goes to the air on the last, Blaize Talagi is ruled to have knocked on. The Panthers put in a captain's challenge which is unsuccessful. Eels scrum 10m out.

26 min: Isaiah Iongi comes up with another safe take and is then tackled by Panthers players who were in front of the kicker. Eels penalty.

24 min: Freddy Lussick tries to burrow over from dummy half but Isaiah Iongi gets underneath him and holds him up. The Panthers then elect to run the ball on the last but Brian Kelly rushes in to shut down Casey McLean and the Eels hang on.

23 min: Ronald Volkman bobbles the ball at dummy half just 15 metres out from his own line and the Eels are under the pump.

20 min: A poor kick by Ronald Volkman on the last comes down well short of the tryline and is easily claimed by Paul Alamoti.

17 min: Nathan Cleary chips towards the corner, Tom Jenkins climbs high and flicks a pass to Casey McLean who does superbly to get the ball down in the corner with Will Penisini all over him but unable to bundle him into touch. Cleary converts from touch. Eels 12-6

15 min: A mistake by Isaiah Iongi coming out of his own end turns the ball over to Penrith on the 40m line.

12 min: A no-look pass from Mitch Moses has Jack Williams pouring into a hole from 10 metres out and the Eels prop crosses for his side's second try. Moses converts. Eels 12-0

10 min: Ronald Volkman turns the ball under to Luca Moretti who can't control the pass and the Eels let the Panthers off the hook.

8 min: Paul Alamoti rides a bump from Josh Addo-Carr and tries to flick a pass to Brian To'o but the ball goes into touch.

7 min: The Eels squander the opportunity when Mitch Moses comes up with an error.

6 min: Mitch Moses hoists high, Jaxen Edgar takes it well and is tackled by players who were in an offside position. The Panthers get a penalty but Nathan Cleary fails to find touch.

3 min: A stunning start for the Eels after Luca Moretti powers into a hole and at the end of the set Ronald Volkman kicks towards the posts and Mitch Moses chases through to get above the pack and brings the ball down for a try under the sticks. Moses converts. Eels 6-0

Late Mail

Eels: A late change 90 minutes before kick-off with centre Will Penisini promoted to the starting side for his first game since Round 9 having recovered from Osteitis Pubis. Luca Moretti also comes into the starting side in his return from concussion so Kelma Tuilagi goes to the bench. Mitch Moses plays just his 13th game for the season as he returns from a corked thigh to take on Blues halves partner Nathan Cleary. Five-eighth Ronald Volkman suffered a head knock against the Roosters before the bye but has cleared the concussion protocols to take his place. 

Panthers: Jaxen Edgar has been promoted to the starting side at fullback for just the second NRL game of his career after Dylan Edwards was ruled out due to a head cut suffered last week against the Broncos. Edgar made his debut in Round 26 last year against the Bulldogs. The rest of the side remains as named Tuesday. Mitch Kenny (leg) could still be a couple of weeks away so Freddy Lussick will do the job as starting hooker for the 11th straight game. Winger Brian To'o needs one try to bring up a century of tries in the NRL.

Numbers Game

• The Eels have lost their last five games against the Panthers.
• The Panthers have won six from seven at CommBank Stadium this season.
• The Eels have defeated only one current top eight team in 2026 (Cowboys in Rd 10).
• Panther winger Brian To’o requires one try for a century of NRL tries.
• Eels halfback Mitchell Moses requires five points for 1,400 career points.