Penrith have turned the NRL title race on its head with a miraculous last-gasp qualifying win over the Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium.
A low-trajectory Jamie Soward field goal with less than 10 seconds left on the clock earned the Panthers an extraordinary 19-18 victory after the Roosters looked to have snatched the match just minutes earlier.
A solo try six minutes from fulltime to star halfback Mitchell Pearce, and a controversial conversion to five-eighth James Maloney, had given the Roosters an 18-12 lead.
But an incredible reply from the Panthers with three minutes remaining, followed by Soward’s late, late heroics sent Penrith’s travelling fans into a frenzy.
From a Soward grubber kick, young winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak somehow knocked the ball back from outside the field of play and centre Dean Whare pounced to score.
Soward then nailed the conversion from out wide before booting the ultimate drop goal winner to seal an amazing victory.
While the Panthers will enjoy next weekend off and sit one win away from a first grand final berth since winning the title in 2003, the Roosters now face a sudden-death showdown on Friday night against either North Queensland or Brisbane.
Jay C
Roar Guru
Move on. They lost. At least they were beaten by a better team on the night. It wasn't stolen from them.
Matthew Edwards
Guest
My two examples were a week apart... And the only two examples I know of where it has happened... Your two examples are 30 years apart... Do you propose we start penalising every single time a player doesn't get back the 10? How awful. I'd rather watch union. The decision to allow Maloney to kick was consistent with how I have seen them rule on it in the past. Casty no try, Maloney shepard and the SBW strip that got called a knock-on all were not.
Josh
Guest
The fans will come out this week don't worry. They always do.
Statler and Waldorf
Roar Guru
apparently this system was agreed to by the clubs http://www.nrl.com/nrl-mailbox-home-final-venues/tabid/10874/newsid/63953/default.aspx It would be interesting to know which way manly voted.
Clark
Guest
It can go back then bounce forward I am quite sure
Clark
Guest
Its the fact the it isn't Manly's home gorund
Benny
Guest
If the ref called held then it can't be a penalty, it's a play the ball. He called play on as was heard on the mic
Albo
Guest
But I bet he doesn't get as long as that dill Sims for the Cowboys !
Albo
Guest
I'm a Penrith fan, and I initially thought it should have been awarded a try ! However, the real issue is that the referee didn't send it up to the video ref.for review like they had done with every other try decision on the night. Having called it a no try, I suspect the video ref would not have overturned his decision anyway, as there was some doubt as to whether his ball carrying arm touched the ground. I watched it a number of times. The issue for me is that the refereeing still continues to be inconsistent in rulings around challenging for the ball in tackles and when bombs go up ! Both sides copped some bad decisions , but in the end the Panthers had enough luck and persistence to sneak home despite putting in one of their more ordinary performances of the season, letting in 3 very soft tries !
nerval
Guest
Thanks for that clip Jason. Brilliant commentary from one of the game's true fans in Andrew Voss, balls of steel from Jamie Soward and glorious pictures among the celebrating Panthers faithful up in the stands. This is what finals footy is all about. Wow!
Benny
Guest
Yeah but the thing is that the ref is letting the play go on, he has not called held otherwise it would have been go back and play the ball rather than a penalty. I think when you watch it in real speed casty has never come to a stop and he always has momentum going forward
Cadfael
Roar Guru
The NRL a few years ago ruled that all Sydney clubs would play the finals at either ANZ or Allianz. I thought that was quite clear. Last I heard, Brookvale was still part of Sydney so the game had e played at either Allianz or ANZ. Personally, I do feel the first week of the finals should be played at their home grounds but this is a ruling from the NRL.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
The referee called held before he reached over. No try was the correct ruling.
Jay C
Roar Guru
So Mathew. When your team gains advantage from something against the rules. A la Maloney kicking, it is fine because thats the way the ref called it and move on. But when the ref calls it in a way that doesn't please you then the sky is falling and the world is over. You can't have your cake and eat it too.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
Cadfael
Roar Guru
Keep up to date. The NRL announced a few years back that all Sydney sides involved in finals play at Allianz or ANZ. This has been the case for years. Allianz is the Roosters home ground. ANZ
The eye
Guest
No,your logic is all over the shop.Just as the 7 tackle try was an error 30 years ago by Hartley in favour of Manly,it doesn't validate the one last year in favour of the Sharks...similarly your alleged Parker precedent doesn't validate last night..strongly doubt the rule was ignored,the sideline official should have picked it up..
Renegade
Guest
The biggest influence on the crowds this year have been the fact that the three least supported clubs have all finished in the top 4.... Those three clubs have the worst average in the comp with only canberra who finished 2nd-last fairing worse.
The Barry
Guest
Gee I still don't know. There's one stage it looks like the tackles finished, the defenders let go Casty's getting to his feet and then suddenly dives for the line. Admittedly it looks more like that in slo mo than at normal speed.
eagleJack
Guest
I love how rugby league crowds are abysmal, for every club, yet somehow it's Manly fans letting down the code.