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Penrith’s regeneration under Phil Gould and Ivan Cleary accelerated further on Sunday, with the Panthers holding on for a brave 42-30 win over the Warriors to claim their first Holden Cup grand final victory.
The Panthers win showcased brilliant talent, but more importantly resilience under pressure.
In scorching heat at ANZ Stadium, for nearly three quarters of the match, the Warriors couldn’t compete with the speed and power of the Panthers, who raced away to a 34-6 lead.
But in the Holden Cup, it’s never over until it’s over.
And with 24 minutes left on the clock and on the back of eight consecutive penalties, the Warriors piled on four tries to get within four and set up a thrilling finish with 12 minutes left.
Penrith fullback Kieran Moss was sin-binned for a professional foul in the set before, and the Warriors appeared destined for their third Holden Cup premiership as they took all the momentum into the final 10 minutes.
Despite still being in front on the scoreboard, it was the Panthers who now needed to fight back.
The final courageous effort came from Jack Gibson medal winner James Roberts, who dashed 40 metres downfield to lay the platform for opposite centre Waqa Blake to crash over and seal the result.
Speedster Roberts proved almost untouchable in his six NRL games this season, and it was much the same in the National Youth League decider.
Roberts scored two scintillating first half tries, while winger George Jennings set the grand final tone for Roosters’ brother Michael, nabbing a try and setting up another.
The Panthers fought bravely in first grade this season, finishing just one win out of the top eight with an inexperienced roster.
And the performance of Garth Brennan’s Holden Cup team to convert a second-placed finish to a premiership, was confirmation of the club’s promise.
The Panthers faced a heap of adversity throughout the 80 minutes, losing halfback and captain Daniel Foster after just 15 minutes with the scores locked at 6-6.
The Warriors, the most successful team in the history of NYC, were shooting for their third premiership and the ideal send-off for veteran coach John Ackland.
However, despite the inspired attacking play of halves Tuimoala Lolohea and Mason Lino, the Warriors couldn’t quite complete a comeback which would have been extraordinary even by Holden Cup standards.
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