The Penrith Panthers edged out the Gold Coast Titans 30-26 in a dramatic golden point finish at Cbus Super Stadium on Saturday. The Titans, trailing 24-0, staged a remarkable comeback in the second half, especially after Izack Tago was sin-binned for a professional foul.
Blaize Talagi emerged as the hero for Penrith, scoring the winning try and achieving a double. Phillip Sami also played a crucial role in the Titans’ resurgence, scoring two second-half tries to spark their hopes of a comeback. Fox League commentator Michael Ennis described the loss as “absolute heartbreak for the Titans.”
The match’s turning point came when Nathan Cleary, displaying remarkable composure, levelled the score with a two-point field goal, sending the game into golden point. The tension escalated early on when Isaah Yeo, the Panthers’ prop, raised concerns after suffering a shoulder injury during a tackle. Fortunately, he recovered and continued to play.
The Panthers took control in the first half, with Thomas Jenkins scoring the opening try after a kick from Talagi was contested in the in-goal area. Controversy arose over whether Jenkins had controlled the ball, but the Bunker confirmed the try. Penrith soon added more points, with Cleary assisting Dylan Edwards for another try, before Talagi caught a high ball to score one himself. Casey McLean rounded off a dominant first half with a try, giving the Panthers a hefty 24-0 lead at halftime.
In the second half, the Titans finally found their rhythm, first through a try from Brian Kelly, followed by a stunning intercept run from Jayden Campbell. Penrith’s Tago was sidelined, allowing the Titans to capitalise further. Sam Verrills crossed over, and Sami scored two quick tries to put Gold Coast in front for the first time.
As the match entered its final moments, Cleary’s pass led to a critical field goal that forced extra time. In the frantic golden point period, Cleary attempted another field goal but missed. The decisive moment arrived when Talagi scored his second, securing a hard-fought victory for the Panthers and marking their eighth consecutive win of the season.
Despite a difficult start to their 2025 campaign, the Panthers’ resilience and talent shone through, illustrating their determination to contend for the title this season.