Two teams were desperate for two important competition points and it was the Warriors who got the job done. On the back of Shaun Johnson brilliance, the men from across the ditch edge ever closer to a top eight birth.
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The story of the day was that man Johnson. His kicking game was outstanding all day long. Five goal line drop-outs forced from five grubber kicks had Penrith on the back foot all day. The extra workload really showed late as the gallant Panthers fell agonisingly short of earning a vital point.
The first half was all the Warriors. They had all the ball, all the field position and took a 10-2 lead into half time. On the back of Johnson’s control and hard running from the big outside backs, the Warriors should have been up by more to be fair. Penrith did well to hold on and needed the half-time break and rev up from Anthony Griffin.
Penrith started the second in much better form, with line speed and ball movement a lot better. They just didn’t seem overly interested today however, and somehow managed to lock scores up late. The Warriors weren’t attacking as cleanly in the second half and missed plenty of good chances with field position and possession.
Golden point was ultimately where it was settled today. The Warriors had a big chance to kill the game but Isaac Luke went himself within the first half of GP. Penrith were offside for much of the extra nine minutes so justice was served as the man of the moment did it all himself. Penrith were brave, they tried hard but ultimately weren’t anywhere near their best today.
Warriors win it and are equal Penrith on competition points.
Final score
Warriors 20
Penrith 16
The Roar’s NRL MVP votes
3: Shaun Johnson – Outstanding really. Kicking game was first class, as good as you will see this year. Also scored the match winner deep into extra time.
2: Ben Matulino – only played 58 minutes but was extremely impressive. How are these for stats, 19 runs, 174 metres and 32 tackles in those minutes. Superb.
1: Peter Wallace: Tried hard all day. Kicked a vital 40/20 in the second half and made a cool 44 tackles.
Jimmmy
Guest
If Johnson had fallen over they would have called obstruction. Crazy. Under the current interpretation it was an obstruction all day every day.
MAX
Guest
Forward passes, off side, not square. The Warriors overcame all of the injustices to win the day. These two teams deliver a sensational brand of Rugby League and it will only get better. Mr Atkins has been referred to as an 'up and comer' in refereeing ranks. Yesterday he delivered little evidence to warrant that attribute. Perhaps he had an off day.
Cedric
Guest
yep, even on a few other plays the commentators were saying Penrith way off side, but still no penalty. I just saw replay and forgot to mention the obstruction nonruling. Last week the Warriors had a pretty much identical try ruled a no try because they said the warriors dummy runner caused the contact, well last night they said the opposite and said Johnson caused the contact. WOW, a week later and the ruling changes!!!! Did anyone slow motion the Latu ruling, did he lose it forward or was that a wrong call?
Jimmmy
Guest
The Warriors should have had a penalty right in front for Penrith having three markers in Extra time. Gutless decision. Truely the Refs should leave the field in extra time for all the good they do.
Cedric
Guest
The try scored by penrith was off a forward pass from Cleary. Soo forward, it was a joke! AND what's with the ref's yelling held as the tackled player is falling to the dirt? Anyhow like the Canberra game the warriors dominated the 1st 40 and slowed up a bit in the next 40. If the warriors can put a full 80 mins together I think even the storm would struggle! Penrith showed some courage as the warriors defence was brutal at times. In the aftermatch talk (nz) Richie Barnett said to lolohea he played really well. I thought, even before he dropped an unimpeded bomb, that he was ok and " the fuss " would have done a lot better job!
Pilferer
Guest
So last week the raiders defender makes the same decision Johnson did and we get penalized but this week Panthers are awarded the try, absolute joke ! Three markers in Golden point lets see what drivel archer comes up with to justify this ruling. How is archer not copping any criticism for all these poor inconsistent rulings from the bunker that are having a major role in the outcome of the games. The refs in Golden point did everything they could to let penrith win though poor setups from the Warriors shows McFadden is out of his depth. surely after 5 golden point games they must have trained for it.