Panthers Secure Home Final with Tense Win Over Titans

Panthers Secure Home Final with Tense Win Over Titans

Panthers Secure Home Final with Tense Win Over Titans

In a thrilling yet nerve-wracking encounter, the Penrith Panthers have clinched a home final after narrowly defeating the Gold Coast Titans 18-12. Despite the victory, doubts linger about the Panthers' ability to sustain their premiership dominance as the NRL finals series approaches.

The Panthers, already secured in second place, now look forward to facing the Sydney Roosters at Penrith Park in their upcoming qualifying final. With Nathan Cleary potentially returning from a shoulder injury, hopes are high for a boost in performance. "Cleary has a few hurdles to clear, but we’re optimistic," Coach Ivan Cleary commented. Nonetheless, the Panthers cannot solely depend on Cleary to resolve the issues that have surfaced during his absence. The team appeared fatigued and error-prone throughout the match, which was evident as they trailed 6-4 at halftime against the 14th-placed Titans.

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Penrith’s performance was far from comfortable. Despite leading the Titans on the scoreboard, they made 15 errors and struggled to assert dominance. However, the reigning champions, who have not been beaten by the Roosters since 2019, are still formidable opponents. Coach Cleary, while acknowledging the shaky finish to the regular season, remains calm. "The game didn’t go as we planned, but the key was securing the win," Cleary said. "I believe our defense has improved, but we need our attack to match it. If we can bring both together, we’ll be a tough team to beat."

Gold Coast showed resilience, particularly in the first half. Fullback Jayden Campbell delivered an impressive individual try, weaving through Penrith’s defense to give the Titans a brief lead. Campbell’s father, Preston Campbell, a former Panthers premiership winner, would have been proud of his son's effort on Old Boys Day at Penrith Park.

The Titans nearly upset the Panthers when left winger Alofiana Khan-Pereira seized a loose ball and sprinted 80 meters to close the gap to just four points with 12 minutes remaining. Khan-Pereira, who has been a standout this season, is on track to become the first Gold Coast player to top the try-scoring leaderboard. Despite their late push, the Titans couldn't capitalize on their momentum.

Penrith’s decisive moments came shortly after halftime. Brian To'o’s first-half try was followed by a critical second-half effort from Dylan Edwards, who managed to fend off Campbell and score. Jarome Luai's clever grubber kick, resulting in a try for Luke Garner, ultimately secured the win for the Panthers.

As the Panthers prepare for their last home final at Penrith Park before a major redevelopment, their performance in this game might be seen as a sign of the challenges they face. Melbourne and Cronulla, who will meet in the other qualifying final, await the outcome of the Panthers' clash with the Roosters. With a solid defense and an improving attack, Penrith’s journey in the finals promises to be an exciting one.

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