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Panthers v Warriors: Five key points

History was created for the Panthers while the Warriors created unwanted history of their own in Penrith's 36-28 comeback victory at Pepper Stadium on Saturday.

Panthers create history

Penrith's 30 unanswered points in the second half to set up the win was the second-biggest comeback in the club's history.

The 22-point deficit at half-time was eaten up by the Panthers with four tries in 12 minutes before Tyrone Peachey scored the match-winner with three minutes left to complete the stirring victory.

Their comeback ranks second behind their effort against the Wests Tigers in 2000 after coming from 23 points down to beat the joint venture 32-31 in Penrith.

It's the club's first win in six weeks and Anthony Griffin's men avoided being the first Panthers side to drop six games straight since 2002.

It was also the clubs 500th win since their inception in 1966.

Warriors blow huge lead

The Warriors' second-half capitulation left the visitors scratching their heads post-match with the result their biggest comeback defeat in their history.

They were clinical in the first half but the Warriors' defence wasn't up to resolve the Panthers' onslaught in the second.

"Every week is a wake-up call for us," Warriors coach Stephen Kearney said.

"When you get in a position like we did at half-time, it's about going on with it and sticking to a process.

"We went that far away from it… that's the most disappointing thing."

Fisher-Harris breaks down again

Panthers back-rower James Fisher-Harris is a man down on luck. Fresh after a return from a shoulder complaint, the 21-year-old left the field at half-time and Panthers coach Anthony Griffin said he was unlikely to line up for next Sunday's clash with Newcastle.

"[Fisher-Harris] just can't get through a game at the moment," Griffin said after the match.

"He's got a strained hamstring which is disappointing."

Warriors' poor Australian record continues

Stephen Kearney's men are 0-4 on the road in Australia after 10 rounds and despite looking the better side in the opening 40 minutes, again had to settle for a loss across the Tasman.

The Warriors have only won seven games in Australia since 2015 but Kearney insists travel is a non-issue.

"We've had three challenging games when we have come across here in Canberra, Melbourne and now the Panthers," Kearney said.

"I just didn't think we helped ourselves particularly in the second half but I don't think it is our travel in away games.

"We just mentally switched off."

Cleary cool as ice

Penrith halfback Nathan Cleary's goal-kicking continues to impress with the 19-year-old slotting six from six including an under-pressure conversion from the sideline to put the game beyond reach with three minutes remaining.

After striking at 80 per cent last season, the Brothers Penrith junior has improved with 34 goals from 37 attempts so far this season at 91.9% – the highest percentage of any goal-kicker in the NRL after 10 rounds.

 

Acknowledgement of Country

National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.

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