Sydney Roosters captain James Tedesco has ignited an intense feud between Roosters and Penrith Panthers fans following an explosive social media rant that has sparked a heated war of words just ahead of their highly anticipated NRL finals clash today. Tedesco’s fiery response to a post comparing the two teams, which has since been deleted, has caused a social media storm, further fuelling the rivalry between the clubs.
The drama unfolded when Tedesco responded to a viral post that suggested the Penrith Panthers were a far better team than the Sydney Roosters. The post, shared widely across social media, seemed to push the Roosters captain to issue a direct response. In a tweet that was captured before being deleted, Tedesco didn’t hold back, taking a major dig at both the Panthers team and their fans.
According to screenshots, Tedesco’s tweet read: “Saying the Panthers are better? Please. They’ve had a couple good seasons, but that doesn’t make them the best. Let’s see how they go when the pressure’s really on, not just when they’re cruising through the regular season.”
The comment was seen by many as a pointed jab at Penrith’s recent success, implying that they haven’t been truly tested under pressure. While the tweet was swiftly deleted, it had already done enough to send social media into overdrive, with fans from both sides reacting fiercely.
The backlash from Penrith Panthers fans was immediate, with many taking to Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook to voice their outrage. “Tedesco has no class. The Panthers have earned everything they’ve achieved, and the Roosters are just salty,” one fan tweeted. “He’s just trying to stir things up because he knows we’re better,” added another.
Roosters fans, however, were quick to defend their captain, with many applauding his competitive spirit ahead of the crucial finals match. “Teddy just speaks the truth! Panthers have had it easy, let’s see how they handle the finals heat,” one Roosters supporter commented. Others claimed that Tedesco’s remarks were simply part of the natural rivalry and should not be taken so seriously.
The tweet sparked an all-out social media war between both sets of fans, with hashtags like #TeddyTruth and #PantherPride trending as fans from each club traded barbs. The timing of the post has only added to the tensions as the Roosters and Panthers prepare to clash in what is shaping up to be a blockbuster finals showdown.
The uproar has not only captured the attention of fans but has also drawn commentary from NRL experts and former players. NRL commentator Paul Gallen weighed in on the incident, saying, “Look, Tedesco’s a competitor. He’s been around long enough to know how rivalries work. Sure, maybe it was a bit ill-timed, but these things happen in the heat of competition, especially with finals coming up.”
Meanwhile, NRL journalist and analyst Phil Gould commented, “You can’t deny the timing of this. With the finals match just hours away, it’s no surprise that emotions are running high. Tedesco’s tweet, whether intentional or not, is going to fire up both sets of fans and players. This finals clash just got a lot more interesting.”
Former Roosters star Anthony Minichiello also shared his thoughts: “James is a great leader and a fierce competitor. His tweet shows he’s not backing down from the challenge. I expect to see a big performance from him tonight, especially after all this social media drama.”
As the Roosters and Panthers prepare for their highly anticipated finals clash, tensions between both clubs have been pushed to the brink by Tedesco’s remarks. The Penrith Panthers, who have been dominant in recent seasons, now have added motivation to prove themselves on the big stage. Their fans, already fired up by the deleted tweet, are expected to bring even more energy to the stadium, ready to let Tedesco hear it.
Roosters fans, on the other hand, are standing firmly behind their captain, viewing his comments as a rallying cry ahead of the high-stakes matchup. “Teddy’s fired us up, and we’re ready to show why the Roosters are still one of the top teams,” one fan wrote online.
With emotions running high and both teams gunning for victory, the feud between Roosters and Panthers fans has added an extra layer of intensity to an already explosive contest. The deleted tweet might be gone, but its impact is sure to be felt throughout the match.
As the teams take the field for what promises to be a dramatic encounter, all eyes will be on Tedesco to see how he performs under the spotlight, with Panthers fans eager to respond both online and in the stands. This finals showdown, already packed with drama, now carries even more weight thanks to the social media firestorm surrounding it.
