The Cronulla Sharks have survived a serious scare from the Penrith Panthers to make their way into a preliminary final against the Melbourne Storm next week.
Heading into halftime at 18-0 up, the Sharks looked as if they were going to skip away with the victory, but a late resurgence from the Panthers brought them back level with just minutes on the clock.
A Chad Townsend field goal would end up saving the day for Cronulla though, putting them back in front by a point with just five minutes to go.
The Panthers then completely lost their way during the final five minutes, trying for a couple of field goals, but never finding themselves in the position to knock one over after a somewhat easy miss from Nathan Cleary with their first attempt.
Still, it was a brilliant comeback from the Panthers to get back into the game after they spent most of the first half defending their own line.
The Sharks ran on three first half tries, with the Panthers defence not in the game early on. They gave away early penalties and errors allowing Cronulla to hit the front.
Townsend had the first, followed up by Valentine Holmes and Luke Lewis. The shell-shocked Panthers finally found themselves some possession and territory at the end of the first half, running on a penalty goal to get on the board.
Penrith had a much better second half. They came flying out of the break, with Cleary getting them on the board after a determined chase of a grubber kick which looked like it was going long.
Isaah Yeo and Waqa Blake then scored within minutes of each other, but that’s where the fun ended for the Panthers as their season comes to an end, the side again struggling during the first half, a trend which has haunted them all season.
The Sharks now move onto play the Melbourne Storm away from home next weekend for a spot in the grand final.
Cronulla Sharks 21
Penrith Panthers 20
danno1
Guest
A mate reckons Chad's hair is so perfect that if he caught Chad in bed with his missues, he'd tuck him in. An underrated player and dangerous runner, whilst also looking immaculate....
The Barry
Roar Guru
Wow !
Albo
Roar Rookie
Baz your first sentence says much a lot about the Panthers whole season. Katoa is an awful dummy half and should never have been kept there in front of Wayde Egan once Wallace was gone. He missed so many opportunities in that final 5 minutes last night to either score or set up the match winning try for runners with a decent pass , but failed continually. Whilst the Panthers didn't deserve a win last night, they probably should have won in the end, but for the last 5 minutes of panic play with opportunities butchered.
Concerned Observer
Roar Rookie
True, but also, nearly doesn’t book your team in for a preliminary final. Their comeback was fantastic but that first half and last few minutes was awful and when the scores were locked up. Cronulla looked vastly more assured and prepared for this scenario while Penrith was sitting around waiting for some good ad-lib footy to happen
Adam
Guest
Tim Gore: "Statistically predicted score: Sharks 20.4 – Panthers 19.6". Brilliant work. Maths doesn't lie!
JVGO
Guest
Clearly wasn't right after that tackle last week. Credit him for getting out there though. They nearly won.
JVGO
Guest
Once Chad gave up the kicking duties his form turned around. Conversely his kicking seems to have given Val even more confidence. Bit of a win win for the Sharks.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Jimmy the winner..the media made myth....12 months later....and $2.4 million in the hole for him..Penrith are exactly where they were with Tyrone May playing at 6...Moyza leads the boys, Wade G. Doogs to come back,onwards and upwards..Jimmy’ll be at his 6th club next year...consider dat a divorce..
raj
Guest
tiny crowd for a finals derby
JVGO
Guest
Soft comp.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Panthers desperately need a dummy half that can pass accurately left and right. So many attacking and kicking opportunities were ruined by the first receiver having to turn and catch the ball. Whoever coaches them next year needs to get in their heads and out why they’re awful when they’re in a contest and play like the Globetrotters when they “can’t win” I’m sure Gus would have been taking the credit if the Panthers went deep but if that’s the case he deserves a kick in the backside for how they went tonight. Horribly disorganised at times and it’s tough to blame a coach who’s been in charge for a month or a team going into semi final footy with a brand new coach. Sharks will be praying that Gallen isn’t hurt - he was immense in the first half. Everyone (including me) says that Townsend is the most under rated player in the comp when he goes well and says he should be shipped out to the super league when he he’s off the pace. No more ! He’s now one of my favourite players and I’m going to go into bat for him whenever I can. He held the ball up beautifully for a split second to put Fifita through and then stayed alive to back up for the first try. Johnny on the spot to give the last pass for the second and iced the clutch field goal. And his long kicking game was good. How did NSW’s golden halves go...? {smiley face here if I could} Plus - he’s always got great hair. Can’t wait for Storm v Sharks.
Con Scortis
Roar Guru
The Panthers have had more comebacks than Johnny Farnham. Not tonight but.
Denis
Guest
Maloney winding back the years. Clearly sharks best.