Panthers favourite to top NRL table after remarkable comeback

The Penrith Panthers pulled off a comeback for the ages on Friday night in the NRL, snatching victory from the jaws of defeat against the Parramatta Eels at CommBank Stadium in Sydney.

The three-time defending champions were uncharacteristically sluggish and error-ridden for most of the round 23 clash against the 16th-placed Eels.

However, they snapped out of it just in the nick of time, scoring three tries in less than four minutes to prevail 36-34 after trailing 34-20 with six minutes remaining in the match.

Tries to Brian To’o, Sunia Turuva and Izack Tago in quick succession, combined with a missed penalty by Clinton Gutherson in the 79th minute, handed Penrith an unlikely win.

The Panthers are now favoured to top the NRL table at the end of the regular season, despite currently sitting in second place on the ladder.

Bookmakers have the club at $1.76 to win the NRL Minor Premiership, ahead of the Melbourne Storm ($2) and Sydney Roosters ($81).

Controversy erupts in the wake of Panthers win

Following Penrith’s stunning comeback, controversy has broken out over whether or not they should have won the match at all.

Footage shows that in the lead-up to the final try, Liam Martin knocked over Eel’s defender, Daejarn Asi.

This meant Asi could not slide across in defence, opening up an opportunity for Penrith’s Daine Laurie to carve through the line and set up Tago for a try.

Martin’s actions appeared to be clear obstruction, but the bunker approved the try, putting the Panthers in front.

“The last try I thought there was an obstruction in there and a pretty bad one too,” said Parramatta coach Trent Barrett after the match.

“How that happens with the officiating that we’ve got and how many people are looking at it, I don’t know.

“Daejarn Asi just got knocked over by Liam and it shouldn’t have been a try.

“The game is cruel at times and it was cruel at the end.

“I just feel for the players, they were the better side and didn’t deserve to lose that tonight.”

Eels’ skipper Gutherson, who missed a straightforward shot at goal that would have levelled the scores at 36-all with a minute to go, also echoed Barrett’s sentiment.

“It’s just disappointing, we put so much effort into that game,” he said.

“I thought the rule now was if they get taken out… it’s a lottery at the moment which is disappointing.”

Matters are unlikely to get any easier for the Eels, with fourth-placed Sydney Roosters coming up in their next game as they look to avoid the wooden spoon in 2024.

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