Melbourne’s celebrations were put on ice until Penrith halfback Peter Wallace missed a penalty attempt after fulltime that gave the Storm a 18-17 win in their NRL clash at AAMI Park.
The Storm were marking two milestones – skipper Cameron Smith becoming the most-capped player at the club and Billy Slater’s 250th NRL game.
But the Panthers tossed aside the script as they threw everything at the home side.
Cooper Cronk nailed a drop goal with just over 20 seconds remaining that looked like it would seal victory but the gutsy Panthers had other ideas.
From the kick-off, the Storm were penalised for offside but Wallace was unable to kick the goal from 40m out and to the right of the posts.
It would have been his side’s first win in Melbourne since 2005.
Penrith took the lead 16-14 midway through the second half when Slater was sent to the sinbin for a professional foul as he interfered in the play-the-ball after a break by James Segeyaro.
The Storm managed to limit the damage and kept the Panthers from adding to the margin.
Smith, who was off-target with three conversion attempts in the first half, levelled at 16-16 with a penalty with 13 minutes remaining to set up a thrilling finale.
Cronk, who missed their golden-point round-one win over Manly following off-season shoulder surgery, nailed a field-goal with five minutes remaining on the clock.
Wallace missed his first attempt but made no mistake with his second in the 79th minute to tie the match up again.
Penrith’s effort was all the most impressive given they were without five-eighth Jamie Soward, who was a late withdrawal with back spasms, with Isaac John his replacement.
The Panthers had a glut of possession in the first half but thanks to some trademark Storm defence were held to two tries, both to winger Kevin Naiqama.
He was unlucky not to have a hat-trick before halftime when the final pass from fullback Matt Moylan was ruled forward.
The Storm went into the break up 14-10 with Smith finally finding the mark with a penalty kick after the siren.
Their tries came through Kevin Proctor, Mahe Fonua and Sisa Waqa.
Penrith winger Josh Mansour scored in the 44th minute to give his side the ascendancy but Melbourne had plenty to play for.
Chopper
Guest
Lopsided in both halves to build for an outstanding finale - TV drama doesnt get any better than this
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
One hell of a game of football. Penrith showed they have backs to match most clubs,and were a tad unlucky.The Storm again showed when the going gets tough,tthe classy get moving.They have class all over the field.
Bill Larkin
Guest
You might be right, but I heard a radio report that nobody from Penrith fronted. I'm happy to be proven wrong.
Storm Boy
Guest
I thought it was the media that didn't go to the Panthers press conference except ABC radio. There would only be Storm and Melbourne media there. No Sydney media would have been flown down for a Penriff game.
Bill Larkin
Guest
Well Penrith didn't attend the press conference, and will pay for this dummy spit I believe. You conveniently ignore the lopsided penalty count in the first half, which gave the Panthers 60% possession. And the sin binning of Slater was arguable. No, Penrith was certainly not robbed.
Chopper
Guest
Storm just win for 2 weeks in a row with a lopsided penalty count in second half. What is going on . A penalty means a try scoring chance in NRL today so it matters more than ever. I would love to hear Clearys view
Bill Larkin
Guest
I was at the match. One of the most amazing finishes for many a year with three field goals, one charge down and a penalty goal kick all within the last 4 minutes, by memory. A good quality match given the conditions. Not only the downpour just before and during the match, but a very swirling wind which went from a strong northerly to an equally strong southerly. Relatively few errors in the circumstances. Penrith will be a decent team when it gets it's best team on the park. The Storm still has problems with its wingers, and I don't trust Fonua in defence. O'Neill will hopefully bolster the backs soon.
Benedict Arnold
Guest
One big talking point is that penrith didn't do a post match press conference, which is bizarre when rugby league supremo phil gould constantly talks about bringing rugby league back to the fans and promoting the game.
Renegade
Guest
Early nomination for game of the year.... this match had everything!!
Walter Penninger
Roar Guru
An exciting match.