Forget the Cleary chaos. These Panthers moments tell the true tale of another epic

September 14, 2026 — 4:01am

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Penrith can enjoy a beer and a lie down. The Roosters, the same, with the knowledge they’ve revived the form of a month ago that was feared lost.

But they go again in six days’ time, because as good as they were in Sunday’s epic 19-12 east-west showdown, the Panthers were that tiny bit better, not necessarily in the moments that mattered most.

But in the moments in between. The moments that truly make premiership-winners, and those that Penrith have made their own for a dynasty and more.

The Panthers started Sunday on fire. Liam Martin screamed four-letter sweet nothings as he scored his opening try and they should have had more to show for their early dominance.

But when Rob Toia iced the Roosters first attacking opportunity of the afternoon, and Mark Nawaqanitawase reeled in a Cirque du Soleil intercept that only he could have pulled off, the........

© Brisbane Times