In a thrilling clash, Josh Hannay praised young standout Zane Harrison as "the real deal" following the Titans' significant victory, while Ivan Cleary expressed concerns about his team's lack of "killer punch" during Saturday's matchup.
The Gold Coast Titans ended a seven-game losing streak against the Penrith Panthers with a narrow 19-18 win, marking their first triumph since 2023 in which they scored 20 points or fewer.
Harrison was instrumental in the comeback, playing a key role by assisting on two essential tries and sealing the victory with a field goal just 10 seconds before the final whistle.
Hannay was not surprised by Harrison's clutch moment, as he had observed the young player practicing his field goals the day before, preparing for such high-pressure situations.
"We see Zane train and prepare every day with composure. Everything we've seen from that kid from day one of pre-season is that composure that you saw tonight," Hannay remarked.
"It's one thing to do it at training but it's another to do it in front of 20,000 against the Panthers right?" he added, highlighting the pressure faced by young athletes in front of large crowds.