Tedesco Under Scrutiny After Controversial Tackle in Roosters’ Heavy Loss
The Sydney Roosters have endured a bruising 40-4 defeat at the hands of the Penrith Panthers, but it’s a moment from the first half that continues to draw attention. Roosters fullback James Tedesco could face scrutiny from the NRL’s match review committee following a dangerous tackle on Panthers’ custodian Dylan Edwards.
The incident occurred midway through the first half when the score was a tight 4-0 in favour of the Panthers. Edwards, having broken through the middle of the park with a blistering run, was brought down by a Tedesco tackle. While the tackle itself was effective in stopping the linebreak, replays suggest Tedesco may have lifted Edwards’ feet and subsequently driven him into the ground headfirst.
Edwards, visibly shaken, was seen holding up his fingers immediately after the tackle, indicating he was okay. He and Panthers skipper Nathan Cleary then approached referee Grant Atkins to protest the nature of the tackle. Atkins deemed the action worthy of a penalty but did not place Tedesco on report, nor did he issue a sin bin.
However, the decision has been questioned by rugby league commentators. Former Balmain legend Steve ‘Blocker’ Roach, providing commentary for Fox Sports, suggested that Tedesco’s actions warranted a 10-minute spell in the sin bin for a professional foul. “You’re supposed to let go once you make the tackle… that should’ve been a sin binning,” Roach stated during the broadcast. Despite the on-field ruling, the possibility remains that the match review committee could take further action against Tedesco.
The fallout from the penalty was immediate. From the subsequent set of possession, the Panthers capitalised, with Thomas Jenkins scoring in the corner to level the scores. This try marked the beginning of a dominant period for the Panthers, who quickly took control of the match.
To’o’s ‘Miraculous’ Try Steals the Show
While the Tedesco tackle was a talking point, the match also featured a contender for try of the year, courtesy of Panthers winger Brian To’o. The spectacular individual effort showcased a level of skill and improvisation rarely seen in the sport.
The sequence began with To’o gathering a slightly wayward pass. He then executed a perfectly placed grubber kick into the heart of the Roosters’ defence. In an extraordinary display of athleticism and vision, To’o then sprinted past the initial line of defenders, finding himself in a seemingly impossible situation, cornered by Roosters players James Tedesco, Connor Watson, and Daniel Tupou.
Rather than giving up, To’o produced a second, audacious grubber kick. The intent behind this second kick remains a subject of debate – whether it was aimed at his inside support player, Nathan Cleary, or an opportunistic gamble. Regardless of the intention, the ball bounced favourably, allowing To’o to regather it before crossing the try line.
The commentary team was left in awe. Andrew Voss, calling the game for Fox Sports, exclaimed, “That’s worth more than four… give him eight points! That’s an amazing play.” He further elaborated on the uniqueness of the manoeuvre, stating, “We’ve watched him do many things over many years, but the double grubber is new. That’s miraculous skill. We might not get a better replay this year if we tried.” Fellow commentator Michael Ennis simply described the play as “absolute class.”
Panthers Dominate Second Half to Secure Convincing Win
The Roosters had started the game brightly, with Robert Toia crossing for a try in the opening minutes, giving them an early lead. However, this proved to be a fleeting highlight for the Tricolours.
Following To’o’s incredible try, the Panthers surged ahead and never looked back. They asserted their dominance in the second half, with Thomas Jenkins proving to be a thorn in the Roosters’ side. Jenkins went on to score three more tries throughout the match, taking his personal tally to four for the night.
Dylan Edwards, the player involved in the controversial tackle, capped off a strong performance by scoring his second try of the game in the 70th minute, further cementing the Panthers’ comprehensive victory. The 40-4 scoreline reflects the dominant second-half performance by the Panthers, who showcased their attacking prowess and defensive resilience against a struggling Roosters outfit. The focus now shifts to the match review committee’s assessment of Tedesco’s tackle and the ongoing debate surrounding player safety in the NRL.
