Panthers Roar Back into Contention with Statement Win Over Warriors
Wow, what a turnaround for the Penrith Panthers! Just a few weeks ago, they were dead last on the ladder, and now here they are – back in the top eight, sitting in sixth place, and doing it without some of their biggest stars. That 28-18 win over the Warriors in Auckland really was a statement. Coach Ivan Cleary summed it up perfectly when he said, “We’ve turned a corner,” and honestly, you could feel that shift out on the field.
The Panthers had every reason to struggle going into this one. They left out their Origin stars – Nathan Cleary, Brian To’o, Dylan Edwards, Liam Martin, and Isaah Yeo – who stayed back in Perth. That’s a lot of talent sitting on the sidelines. But instead of crumbling, the Panthers rose to the challenge with grit, depth, and belief. This wasn’t just a win; it was a win that spoke volumes.
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Early in the game, Thomas Jenkins struck first, only to see the Warriors quickly hit back and take a 6-4 lead. It looked like it was going to be one of those grind-it-out games, and it definitely was – but Penrith knew how to finish. Scott Sorensen grabbed one just before halftime to edge the Panthers ahead 8-6, and even though the Warriors hit the front again early in the second half, Penrith didn’t flinch.
As injuries began to stack up for the Warriors, Penrith pounced. Sorensen added a second, and then Blaize Talagi and Paul Alamoti iced the game with two more tries. Even though Moala Graham-Taufa scored a late one for the Warriors, it was too little, too late.
Ivan Cleary, ever the realist, admitted the performance wasn’t perfect – and it wasn’t. Alamoti missed a couple of early conversions, and the Panthers still have some polish to apply. But what stood out was their intent. They played a smarter, harder brand of footy, and it paid off. This wasn’t the same team that got hammered 25-6 by the Knights in Bathurst. This was a team that looked hungry again.
Now, with a clash against the Bulldogs next week and then a bye before Origin III, the Panthers have momentum on their side. If this game is any sign of what’s coming, don’t be surprised to see them climbing even higher. They’ve got their mojo back, and Ivan Cleary’s call that they’ve “turned a corner” might just be the understatement of the season.
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