Wests Tigers have announced Shaun Mielekamp as the club’s CEO, after he held the interim position since late last year.

Mielekamp has been part of the Tigers since 2024, and was previous CEO of A-League club, Central Coast Mariners.

“I’m really honoured to be given the role of Wests Tigers CEO,’’ Mielekamp said.

“I’m proud of the fact that this isn’t as much about me, but it’s about confidence in the Club and the direction we’re going, particularly the executive team who has been a driving force in our rise over the last couple of years.

“It’s a privilege to come to work every day with such a fantastic group of people, and I’m grateful to both the Holman Barnes Group and the Wests Tigers Board for the opportunity to lead this proud Club.

“There’s a real sense of unity both inside and outside the Club and we’re all headed in the same direction, which I truly believe puts us in a great position for the long-term.

“I’ll be relentless in pursuit of the success our Members and fans want for their Club, making sure we have everything we need to win football games.”

Penrith enjoyed a 12-0 lead, while Souths lost Cody Walker to the sin bin after an inexplicable kick to the shin of a Panther.

But the Rabbitohs fought back, scored two tries, and reduced the deficit to just two points.

They will not take this away from Dayne Jennings.

Souths create an overlap on the right, and winger Jennings scores his first try in the NRL with less than 10 seconds remaining in the first half.

Give a big credit to Jye Gray who threw the final pass.

Panthers 12

Rabbitohs 10

Souths put up a high bomb, and Penrith fullback Dylan Edwards has been ruled to have knocked on in the contest.

Souths have a scrum 10 metres out, with 40 seconds remaining in the half.

Souths were going down the right, when Jack Wighton passed to an unmarked winger, Dayen Jennings.

Jennings lost the footy, and Penrith picked up the ball and ran the other way.

Left winger Tom Jenkins has the footy and runs down the sideline, but Souths fullback Jye Gray scrambles across to pull off the perfect cover tackle.

Panthers 12

Rabbitohs 4

Tom Jenkins rises high to take a magnificent catch in the left corner from a kick.

He then throws the ball back to Blaize Talagi, who picks the footy up off his bootlaces.

But Souths' centre Jack Wighton made a cover tackle, and Talagi's foot goes into touch with the ball still a couple of centimetres above the ground.

Panthers 12

Rabbitohs 4

South Sydney have their first try.

Left winger Edward Kosi has scored in the corner.

A great line break from fullback Jye Gray put the Rabbitohs in great field position.

The Panthers gave up two six-again restarts while defending their line.

Eventually, Souths get an overlap on the left and score.

Panthers 12

Rabbitohs 4

The Panthers are in for their second try.

Prop forward Liam Henry has reached out and grounded the footy.

The Panthers thought they had scored one minute earlier, but a double knock-on was found in the lead-up.

But with a full set at the Souths goal-line, with the Rabbits down to 12 players, the Panthers have made them pay.

Panthers 12

Rabbitohs 0

Souths winger Dayne Jennings has gone into the right corner for a try.

But it is coming back.

Souths five-eighth played the ball, and then kicked the shin of Penrith's Jack Cogger.

It is a sin bin, and I reckon Walker is lukcy not to be sent off.

ABC Sport caller Andrew Moore agrees.

What a joke. He should be sent from the field.

South Sydney have been warned: Dylan Edwards is on fire.

He gives a lovely pass to Liam Henry, and the big man ran 40 metres.

Souths were able to scramble and defend the goal-line.

Souths are warned.

Panthers 6

Rabbitohs 0

It is a perfect start for the Penrith Panthers.

Fullback Dylan Edwards has streaked away to score the opening try.

The Panthers went down the right, which was the short side.

Edwards passes to right centre Paul Alamoti, and Alamoti evades a defender to get an offload back to Edwards.

The Penrith fullback then stepped around Souths fullback Jye Gray, then he fended off Latrell Siegwalt, and he scored.

Edwards said pre-game Penirth wanted to start well, and they have.

"Penrith will be happy, they have started a lot better than last week." — Luke Lewis, ABC Sport

Panthers 6

Rabbitohs 0

Referee Adam Gee blows his whistle, and round 18 of the NRL is underway.

Souths prop Tevita Tatola takes the first hit-up, and the second run is taken by fellow front rower Keaon Koloamatangi.

Souths are running to the right of your screen.

It is an incident-free set for Souths, before they kick clear from the 40-metre line.

ABC Sport sideline eye is reporting a little bit of dew, so it could be slippery underfoot.

Next Sunday, South Sydney will host the "World's Biggest Birthday Party" for Jai Arrow.

Arrow was forced into an early retirement after being diagnosed with Motor neurone disease (MND).

The NRL has announced "Jai July", a month-long celebration for Arrow.

Commercial partners have got involved to donate money for tries and try celebrations.

You can follow the ABC Sport live blog, and listen to the ABC Sport live call.

Tap the link below to hear Andrew Moore, Luke Lewis, and John Gibbs on the touchline at Western Sydney Stadium.

G'day KB.

No doubt you are right; there will be millions of Australians up very early tomorrow to watch the Socceroos' round of 32 knock-out clash with Egypt at the FIFA World Cup.

Don't forget about the ABC Sport Socceroos live blog tomorrow.

Penrith are on a two-match losing run.

Tonight, they are without a trio of Origin stars.

Stand-in captain Dylan Edwards has spoken to Fox League.

The Penrith fullback says the key to victory tonight will be avoiding a slow start, and limiting the opportunities Souths have in attack.

Definitely last week, we missed the start of the game, so that's a big focus for us.

They're dangerous when they get opportunities, and they definitely make you pay when they can.

A big addition for South Sydney tonight is the return of Jack Wighton from a broken arm.

He will resume his position at right centre this evening.

Souths five-eighth Cody Walker has been interviewed on Fox League and said the club is excited for Wighton to be back playing in the NRL.

He's a wonderful addition to our side. I thought he was one of the best defensive centres at the start of the year. One of his best attributes is that he just competes hard at everything