Sea Eagles v Panthers: Pre-Season Challenge Week 3 Recap and Analysis

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The Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles and Penrith Panthers faced off in Week 3 of the 2025 Witzer Pre-season Challenge, with the Panthers emerging victorious with a 38-22 win. The match saw some impressive performances from both teams, with Trent Toelau standing out for the Panthers. Toelau, who is currently low in the halves pecking order for the Panthers, donned the No.7 jumper and showed his skills, scoring a try and setting up two more with his kicking prowess.

The former Victorian junior's performance was a highlight of the match, and he demonstrated his ability to lead the team and make crucial plays. Toelau's kicking was particularly impressive, with a sublime cross-field punt setting up a try for David Fale on the right wing. The Panthers' win was a testament to the team's depth and the ability of their reserve-grade players to step up and perform. The team's bosses have shown faith in Toelau, upgrading him from a train-and-trial deal to an NRL development contract last year, and he is due to join the top 30 in 2026.

The match also saw some notable performances from other players, including Fale, who had a hand in setting up a try for Tom Jenkins with a 50-meter run down the field. The Sea Eagles, on the other hand, struggled to keep up with the Panthers' pace, despite a strong comeback in the second half. The team's NRL experience was not enough to overcome the Panthers' reserve-grade side, and they ultimately fell short. The Panthers' win was a confidence booster for the team, and they will look to carry this momentum into their upcoming matches, including their quest for five NRL titles in a row.

The Panthers will face the Sharks on Sunday, March 2 (AEDT), and will be looking to start their season strong. With players like Toelau and Fale showing their skills, the team has a deep roster and a strong chance of success. The Sea Eagles, on the other hand, will need to regroup and refocus after their loss, and will look to bounce back in their upcoming matches. The pre-season challenge has provided valuable insights into the teams' strengths and weaknesses, and fans will be eagerly awaiting the start of the regular season. Some of the key statistics from the match include:

• Match score: Panthers 38, Sea Eagles 22
• Trent Toelau: 1 try, 2 try assists, 340 kick meters, 5 tackle breaks
• David Fale: 1 try, 1 try assist
• Tom Jenkins: 1 try

The pre-season challenge has been an exciting and unpredictable series of matches, with teams testing out their reserve-grade players and experimenting with different lineups. The Panthers' win over the Sea Eagles was a highlight of the series, and fans will be looking forward to seeing how the team performs in the regular season. With their depth and talent, the Panthers are a strong contender for the NRL title, and their match against the Sharks will be a highly anticipated clash.