LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
The Penrith Panthers came up just short of pulling off a miraculous comeback in their 38-32 loss to the Sydney Roosters at CommBank Stadium on Friday.
Trailing 38-24 with less than 10 minutes remaining, the Panthers staged a late rally with a try and two penalty goals, but ultimately fell agonisingly short of stealing a victory in the dying moments.
The game got off to a promising start for the Panthers, with Paul Alamoti scoring a try within the first two minutes, displaying some fancy footwork and breaking through the defense for an early lead.
However, the Roosters quickly responded with consecutive tries from Mark Nawaqanitawase and Connor Watson to take the lead.
The Panthers faced more challenges as Lindsay Smith and Liam Martin were both forced off for head injury assessments, adding to their woes.
Despite the setbacks, Brian To'o managed to spark some life back into the team with a sensational try, using some slick footwork to kick a grubber ahead and diving on the ball to score.
While the Panthers fought bravely until the final whistle, it was not enough to complete the comeback and secure the win.
However, their gritty performance in the face of adversity showed the fighting spirit and determination that has been a hallmark of the Panthers throughout their rich history in Rugby League.