LeagueNews.co | Nick Loken
In a gritty and hard-fought battle at Suncorp Stadium, the Penrith Panthers fell short against the Warriors in a nail-biting 22-20 defeat.
Despite missing key players such as Shaun Johnson, the Warriors showed incredible courage and resilience to secure a memorable victory.
The game got off to a rough start for the Warriors, as they kicked out on the full and quickly conceded a try to Dylan Edwards.
The loss of hooker Wayde Egan to a failed Head Injury Assessment only added to their challenges.
But the Warriors fought back valiantly, twice coming from behind to snatch the win from the reigning premiers.
With just 10 minutes left on the clock, backup fullback Taine Tuaupiki stepped up and scored a crucial try, converting it to give his team a narrow lead.
The tension mounted as the Panthers had a chance to level the scores with a late penalty goal, but Edwards' kick went wide, sealing the Warriors' victory.
Despite facing adversity, including a sin-binning and injuries, the Warriors showed determination and character throughout the match.
Marcelo Montoya's try was marred by a head knock, but he bravely returned to the field.
Isaah Yeo's sin-binning proved to be a turning point, as Ali Leiataua scored his first NRL try shortly after to level the scores once again.
The Warriors' win will go down in history as one of their most impressive performances, showcasing their resilience and fighting spirit on the field.
The Panthers may have fallen short this time, but they will regroup and come back stronger in their next challenge.