Tempers flared late in the opening half of the Penrith–Parramatta derby as a host of players from both sides got caught in a tussle.
The Panthers showed mongrel in the clash but couldn’t match the Eels on the scoreboard, suffering a surprise 36-0 defeat less than a month out from the first round of the season.
The first-half melee was ignited when Parramatta hooker Reed Mahoney pushed front-rower Moses Leota as Eels halfback Mitchell Moses kicked the footy.
The encounter prompted Parramatta back-rower Isaiah Papali’i to rush in and shove Leota, before second-rower Viliame Kikau crashed into Papali’i.
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It wasn’t long before an all-in scuffle had the two teams pushing and tugging on each others jumpers.
After the fight cooled, referee Ben Cummins stepped in and awarded a penalty against Parramatta for Mahoney’s instigating push on Leota.
“This has blown up!” said Fox League commentator Dan Ginnane.
Storm and Roosters great Cooper Cronk found the fight amusing.
“Nothing like a small bloke starting it and the big blokes finishing it off,” Cronk said with a laugh.