NRL: Penrith give coach good start

Steve Georgallis. Photo / APN

Steve Georgallis' hopes of getting the Penrith coaching job on a permanent basis were boosted yesterday as the Panthers saw off the Cowboys 30-20 at Centrebet Stadium.

Georgallis was given the reins until the end of the season this week after Matt Elliott was shown the door by general manager Phil Gould and his NRL side responded well.

Georgallis' plans were disrupted after just four minutes when centre Junior Vaivai limped off with a knee injury, forcing Nathan Smith to switch from the backrow. But the Panthers welcomed back Luke Lewis from a hamstring injury and the home side looked a vastly improved unit as a result, following last week's dismal display in the 16-12 defeat at Newcastle.

Meanwhile, a depleted Newcastle sent the Sydney Roosters' season back into crisis with a gutsy 18-10 victory in the NRL clash at Ausgrid Stadium.

Already without chief playmaker Jarrod Mullen, the Knights lost captain Kurt Gidley with a hamstring injury before kickoff, fielding rookie halves Ryan Stig and Tyrone Roberts. They scored three tries to two.

- AAP