Live: Panthers hold narrow half-time lead against NRL-leading Raiders

A magnificent half of rugby league has come to an end.

Penrith and Canberra are showing why they are two of the best in the NRL.

This match has been played at high speed. Two tries to Panthers centre Casey McLean have given the premiers a slender four-point lead at half-time.

The Panthers jog off the field, while the Raiders huddle in the middle of the pitch.

A grubber kick into the in-goal is bouncing and is up for grabs.

Nathan Cleary misses the bouncing ball.

Canberra interchange Morgan Smithies goes to ground the ball, but a diving Panther — Liam Martin —gets his hand on the footy first and grounds it for a goal line dropout.

Penrith centre Casey McLean has a double, running 20 metres off a scrum to score.

The Raiders dropped the ball just two plays after the restart — Morgan Smithies committing the knock-on.

Off the scrum, the Panthers shift the ball to the left, and McLean uses his speed to sprint by would-be Raiders defenders.

Panthers 10

Raiders 6

Canberra Raiders captain Joseph Tapine has scored from close range, running hard onto a pass from dummy half, and spinning in a two-man tackle to score.

Penrith have been their own worst enemy in the past five minutes.

A pair of knock-ons allowed the Raiders to be camped on the Panthers’ goal line.

The Raiders had previously tried to go around the Panthers’ defence, but this time they went up the middle.

Dylan Edwards and Scott Sorensen tried to hold up Tapine over the goal line, but the Canberra prop was too strong.

Panthers 6

Raiders 6

There are concerns for the Raiders.

Winger Xavier Savage is clutching his left arm.

He remains on the field, but that arm is limp.

Savage returned a kick and was hit strongly in a three-man tackle. That is where the potential injury came from.

It is a great sight for Panthers fans.

After spending the past few weeks on the sideline with a shoulder injury, co-captain Issah Yeo returns to the field.

The lock forward wastes no time getting into the action, taking a strong run.

Penrith centre Casey McLean (number 4) has scored the first try of the match.

A grubber kick from five-eighth Blaize Talagi ricocheted off the legs of Raiders halfback  Jamal Fogarty, then it came off the legs of McLean and bounced towards the goal line.

McLean chased, dived on the ball, then rolled away from any potential defenders and reached out to score.

This came following sustained pressure. The Raiders had spent several minutes on their goal ine, as the Panthers peppered them with attacks.

Thanks to penalties and set restarts, the Panthers had 23 plays inside the Raiders’ 20m in the previous 10 minutes.

The Raiders had repelled them twice, but could not do it a third time.

Nathan Cleary kicks the goal.

Panthers 6

Raiders 0

Penrith are the first team to make a mistake tonight.

Centre Casey McLean was cut down by a great tackle from Raiders hooker Tom Startling, leading to a knock-on.

The Raiders have a full set at the Panthers’ goal line, but it is not an inspiring set.

The Raiders have four tackles without much direction. Then a poor pass from dummy half bounces and is knocked on by fullback Kaeo Weekes.

There was a little rain around Mudgee in the lead-up to kick-off, and it is noticeable.

A couple of players have slipped over with the ball in hand.

The start of this contest has been fast and furious. The intensity of the tackling has been matched by the ferocity of the ball-running from both sides.

“If the opening sets are anything to go by, this is going to be an absolute cracker.” — Former Raider and ABC Sport commentator Alan Tongue

Referee Grant Atkins blows his whistle, and we are underway in Mudgee.

The Canberra Raiders kick away, and the Panthers will have the first use of the footy.

The Panthers will run to the left of your screen.

Moses Leota takes the first hit-up of the night, and he is met by the Canberra welcoming committee.

Penrith complete three tackles, and the premiers put in an early kick.

Could that be a tactic tonight? The Panthers may try to work the Raiders forwards around.

Referee: Grant Atkins

Touch Judge: Matt Noyen

Touch Judge: Drew Oultram

Senior Review Official: Liam Kennedy

Did you see Mudgee lad Reuben show off his Canberra Raiders jersey to Penrith players this week?

Well, the Raiders certainly saw the clip.

Young Reuben is at Glen Willow Oval tonight to cheer for his Raiders, and got to meet a pair of his heroes before kick-off.

How good is rugby league?

After losing Payne Haas to Samoa, Australia appears likely to get a star player converting to represent the Kangaroos at next year’s Rugby League World Cup.

Read more by tapping the link below.

The Rabbitohs have cantered to a thumping 40-0 victory over the Dragons with Alex Johnston scoring the 210th try of his career to move one step closer to breaking the all-time record.

Catch up on the NRL action from last night by tapping the link below.

Penrith co-captain Issah Yeo has returned for the Panthers after missing the previous few weeks with a shoulder injury.

Yeo (number 19) will start from the bench, with Matt Eisenhuth dropping out of the team.

The Raiders have named the same team that defeated the Manly Sea Eagles last weekend.

Here are the kick-off times for both matches in your state or territory:

Penrith Panthers vs Canberra Raiders

• 6pm AEST: NSW, ACT, Qld, Vic, Tas
• 5:30pm ACST: South Australia, Northern Territory
• 4pm AWST: Western Australia

Melbourne Storm vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs

• 8pm AEST: NSW, ACT, Qld, Vic, Tas
• 7:30pm ACST: South Australia, Northern Territory
• 6pm AWST: Western Australia

Good evening, Australia.

Welcome back to ABC Sport’s live digital coverage of the 2025 NRL premiership season.

Few Friday nights have produced two matches as highly anticipated as this evening, with both matches have an effect on the top four, and the minor premiership.

Let us know your thoughts throughout the evening on all things rugby league in the comment section.

Let’s go.