Panthers prop Moses Leota has earned praise for setting the tone in the grand final with a series of bone-crunching hits in the first half.
After a slow start in their preliminary final win over the Rabbitohs, the reigning premiers came out of the gates fast against the Eels in the grand final, taking an 18-0 lead into the sheds.
Penrith’s dominance was built on the back of a ruthless defensive effort, with the Eels taking 39 minutes to register their first play-the-ball inside the Panthers’ 20.
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Leota was at the centre of the frightening defence, unleashing a series of hits that left the Eels rattled in the opening minutes.
“Moses Leota is on a search and destroy mission at the moment,” Andrew Johns said on Nine’s coverage after one of Leota’s hits.
“He’s not searching, he’s done a lot of destroying.”
Storm great Billy Slater also lavished praise on the 27-year-old.
“I thought it was set up by Leota,” he said of the Panthers’ dominant half.
“I thought his first stint was outstanding. He really set the standard of what the Panthers were going to do.”
Leota’s series of hits were followed by three first half tries to Stephen Crichton, Brian To’o, and Scott Sorensen.
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