LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
The Penrith Panthers, missing key players due to State of Origin commitments, stunned fans and critics alike with an impressive 28-18 victory over the Warriors.
Coach Ivan Cleary expressed both pride and disbelief at his team's resilience in the face of adversity.
There have been increasing calls from various quarters to suspend the NRL competition during the representative schedule, as several teams are heavily impacted by injuries and player unavailability.
During the first bye round, the Panthers suffered a heavy defeat to the Newcastle Knights, leading to frustrations regarding the quality of the competition when teams are depleted.
Prior to facing the Warriors, Cleary was anxious about missing his five Origin stars-Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo, Dylan Edwards, Brian To'o, and Liam Martin-worried they might suffer a repeat of the Knights experience.
Cleary described the situation as "unfair," emphasizing, "The Origin players won't be playing because they can't.
I don't think it's fair that we can't play...
we should be able to make that decision."
Despite the apprehension, the Panthers gathered themselves for a commendable performance, defying expectations that the Warriors would easily defeat them.
Cleary praised his players, noting, "Obviously the context is important, but just the way the boys went about it.
Every time there wasn't something great, they got on with it and made up for it." The victory was not only significant for the standings but also served as a testament to the team's spirit and depth.
Cleary hopes this win can be a foundation for future performances, showcasing that even when their contingent is depleted, the Panthers remain competitive.
The clash against the Warriors demonstrated that while external pressures mount, unity and determination within the ranks can lead to unexpected triumphs.