South Sydney trailed by just two at the break, despite losing captain Cody Walker to the sin-bin for inexplicably kicking Jack Cogger, which also led to 18-year-old Dayne Jennings’ first NRL try being chalked off before he crossed again.

But Jenkins collected three tries after the restart to power Penrith home minus their Origin guns.

The Panthers lost Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo and Liam Martin to NSW camp, alongside Rabbitoh Cameron Murray.

Players from both sides celebrated tries by mimicking a bow and arrow, recognising Rabbitohs retiree Jai Arrow, who has been diagnosed with motor neurone disease.

Dylan Edwards scythed through for a brilliant opener before Walker’s brain fade, inviting Liam Henry to barge over.

But a Jye Gray bust led to Edward Kosi’s reply and Jennings leapt over for his maiden try on the stroke of half-time.

Jenkins claimed a Cogger bomb to kick off the second half then added another.

Billy Phillips cashed in on a Paul Alamoti offload and Jenkins completed his hat-trick in the left corner to put the contest to bed.

With Cogger in the bin for a high tackle, Latrell Siegwalt grabbed a late consolation try before the Bunker denied a last-gasp Jye Gray miracle.

PANTHERS: 1 Dylan Edwards, 2 Thomas Jenkins, 4 Paul Alamoti, 18 Jack Cole, 5 Brian To’o, 6 Blaize Talagi, 7 Jack Cogger, 8 Moses Leota, 9 Freddy Lussick, 10 Liam Henry, 11 Scott Sorensen, 16 Billy Phillips, 13 Lindsay Smith. Subs: 3 Izack Tago, 14 Billy Scott, 15 Kalani Leuluai-Going, 17 Luron Patea, 19 Sione Fonua (not used), 20 Zakauri Clarke (not used)

Tries: Edwards (3), Henry (13), Jenkins (49, 58, 71), Phillips (68); Goals: Alamoti 6/6. Sin-bin: Cogger (76) — high tackle

RABBITOHS: 1 Jye Gray, 2 Dayne Jennings, 3 Latrell Siegwalt, 4 Jack Wighton, 5 Edward Kosi, 6 Cody Walker, 7 Ashton Ward, 8 Tevita Tatola, 9 Brandon Smith, 10 Keaon Koloamatangi, 11 David Fifita, 12 Tallis Duncan, 13 Lachlan Hubner. Subs: 14 Jaymie Humphreys, 15 Euan Aitken, 16 Liam Le Blanc, 17 John Radel (not used), 18 Matt Dufty (not used), 19 Jayden Sullivan (not used)

Tries: Kosi (25), Jennings (40), Siegwalt (77); Goals: Siegwalt 1/3. Sin-bin: Walker (11) — kicking an opponent

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match: Panthers: Lindsay Smith; Rabbitohs: Keaon Koloamatangi

Penalty count: 4-4; Half-time: 12-10; Referee: Adam Gee; Attendance: 15,163;

SCORING SEQUENCE: 6-0, 12-0, 12-4, 12-10; 18-10, 24-10, 30-10, 36-10, 36-14