Matt Moylan’s last-gasp field goal sealed a 35-34 win for Penrith over Brisbane in a thrilling NRL clash at Sportingbet Stadium on Monday night.
Corey Oates’ try from close range with less than two minutes remaining followed by a Corey Parker conversion locked up the game at 34-all, with the momentum firmly behind the visitors.
However, prop Josh McGuire then dropped the resulting kick-off and handed the ball straight back to the home side.
After the second tackle of the set, Moylan calmly bisected the posts from 30 metres out to win the game.
The victory moves the Panthers up to second spot on the ladder but came at a cost with Josh Mansour (ankle) and Tyrone Peachey (pectoral) leaving the field injured in the first half.
Ivan Cleary’s side looked to have wrapped up the game when they raced into a 34-18 lead midway through the second half with tries from Dean Whare, Kevin Naiqama and Lewis Brown but the Broncos started their fightback when Jack Reed and Daniel Vidot crossed the line.
The Panthers earlier raced into an early lead following a horror start by the Broncos.
Two straight penalties against the visitors handed Penrith excellent field position and Elijah Taylor scored from close range after Jamal Idris batted a Soward kick into his hands.
Parker then booted the kick-off out on the full to hand the ball straight back to the Panthers on halfway and Soward’s pass found Moylan who sidestepped his way over the line.
However, the Broncos struck back well with unanswered tries scored by Dale Copley, Justin Hodges and Jake Granville with Parker adding the extras for all three.
But on the stroke of halftime Kevin Naiqama finished off a wonderful move started by a Moylan break with Soward then producing a magnificent no-look flick pass for the winger to score.
T bone
Guest
I think the new coach and management were happy to see Jennings and Lewis go.
Albo
Guest
"While it’s a bit hard to love any team that has Gould involved with it, the team is made up of really good footy players, without having any of the top echelon of players to rely on.' Problem for Penrith will be that players like Moylan and shortly Cartwright, Peachey, and a few younger players in their Holden Cup, will now demand much higher money or they'll be given it by rival clubs ! That's the way this game works, so you are continually developing good young players that you either have to let go or pay " elite " player prices to keep them ! So you end up where the Panthers were two years ago where they let all of their "top echelon" players in Jennings , Lewis & Gordon go to try to build the sort of team they have today. Its just a new cycle !
George
Guest
I would rather have him over any current fullback. He's not as good as Slater or Hayne but he has 10 years ahead of him. He's close to as skillful as Milford but a better defender. While it's a bit hard to love any team that has Gould involved with it, the team is made up of really good footy players, without having any of the top echelon of players to rely on.
P. Marlowe
Guest
Agree with the comments re Moylan above - he looks quite the player. As I don't have Pay Tv, I have not actually seen much of Penrith's play this year. Like a few people, I felt their position on the ladder had been helped by a relatively easy run. However, I have now had the opportunity to watch them over the past few weeks and they have been really impressive - they do look like a really good rugbly league team. Also as a Broncos fan, I am happy that Peter Wallace seems to have rediscovered some form since his return there. For whatever reason, it really just wasn't happening for him last year at Brisbane (although he certainly wasn't alone ) and he seems to have just needed a fresh start.
The Koomz
Guest
Indeed, hes very smooth with his passing.
nerval
Guest
I said it last year but, in the shape of Matt Moylan, I genuinely think that the Panthers and NSW might have found their version of Darren Lockyer. He is one of those rarities who appears to have so much time and space on the field of play. He never looks ruffled but rather cool, calm and collected. He has that lofty, unhurried air about him that was so characteristic of the great Lockyer. Most of all, he just has so much natural skill when in possession of the football - great catching, passing and running skills. And while it might be frowned upon by some coaches, I just love the way he carries the ball one-handed as if he's toying with the opposition. He has a strong background in touch football, I believe, and alongside Shaun Johnson he is a great advert for that version of the game. His introduction into the NSW set-up cannot come quick enough. The Blues will be in need of the kind of craft and guile that, despite this year's triumph, was largely absent from all 3 games. Relying almost totally on Jarryd Hayne to come up with something special might not be enough nest year.