Round 24
Sharks 28 l. Panthers 32

2006 NRL Telstra Premiership Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: Aus_NZ > National > First Grade Competition: NRL Telstra Premiership

Panthers famous comeback keeps finals hopes alive
Sat August 19, 2006
Penrith have kept their semi-final hopes alive with a stunning comeback in the second half to win 32-28 in a nail-biter at Toyota Park.

Down 28-8 with under 20 minutes remaining, the Panthers staged their remarkable comeback scoring three converted tries in eight minutes to find themselves just two points behind with nine minutes left on the clock.

The comeback began when Rhys Wesser crossed to score the 100th try of his career.

Five minutes later front rower Craig Stapleton found an opening and charged through a gap to score.

Wesser then captured his second try from the restart splitting the defence to score under the posts.

Now just two points behind, immediately the Panthers had a try disallowed when it looked a certain try to Danny Galea in the corner. But a desperate save by Sharks fullback Darren Albert managed to turn Galea onto his back and into touch before the ball could be grounded.

The Sharks had the opportunity to close down the match but two pot-plant plays gifted attacking opportunities to the Panthers.

On the first occasion a strong push in the scrum won the Panthers the ball against the head just 20 metres out from the Sharks line.

The Sharks repelled the attack but only moments later gifted the ball back to the Panthers through a soft mistake.

This time the Panthers made the most of the opportunity with a grubber into the in-goal pounced upon by Lee Hookey for the match winner.

It was the culmination of a disappointing end to the season for the Sharks which promised so much after they sat in third place as late as Round 16. The Sharks have now lost eight games straight since that round.

Earlier the Panthers led 8-0 early after tries in both corners to Gordon and Rooney. The Panthers used numbers to catch the Sharks short on both occasions.

But after this time, it was all the Sharks as they piled on 28 points straight. Tries in the 29th and 32nd minutes to Reece Williams and then Paul Gallen sent the Sharks into the break ahead 10-8.

Darren Albert scored two tries in three minutes early in the second half before Paul Gallen also grabbed his second.

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