David Fusitu'a and Ken Maumalo looking dejected as they thank the crowd after the Warriors lose to the Panthers. Photo / Photosport
How the Warriors rated in their 27-12 loss to the Panthers.
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck – 3
Did nothing wrong in his time on the paddock but had his night cruelly cut short with a medial ligament injury midway through the first half. Should still be the Dally M Player of the Year.
David Fusitua – 6
Scored a nice try in the right corner in the first spell and ran the ball strongly. Maloney and Cleary had success kicking in behind him on a couple of occasions. Could have gone looking a little more.
Peta Hiku – 8
One of the best for the Warriors. Was heavily involved with the ball and produced another sublime pass for the Warriors' second try. Got up early to limit Viliame Kikau's dangerous edge running. Shifted to fullback after RTS's injury and did a great job deputising.
Solomone Kata – 3
Turned in his worst performance of the season. The centre was penalised for a lazy play-the-ball, came up with a handling error and was caught out defensively on a couple of occasions. Wasn't overly strong with the ball either.
Ken Maumalo – 6
Ran the ball back strongly as he has done all season but was slow to turn and the Panthers had success kicking in behind him. He made a meal of a high ball as well. Worked hard and went looking for the ball.
Blake Green – 6
Solid as per usual and was heavily involved in guiding the Warriors around the park. Didn't do anything special but did nothing wrong as well. Didn't have the enough ball to do anything with it.
Shaun Johnson – 4
Came up with a couple of nice early touches, including one that put Fusitu'a in for the second try of the night but didn't take the line on anywhere near enough and his short re-starts were inaccurate. Has had a good season but put up his worst performance on the big stage. Will be in for a week of criticism.
James Gavet – 7
Great first stint where he really ran with purpose despite copping a knock to his neck. The Warriors looked a lot better while he was on the field. Tried hard in his second shift but the game was out of reach by then.
Issac Luke – 6
The pivotal hooker had a real mixed bag. He scored the first try with sheer determination and will but also came up with a couple of silly blunders – kicking the ball out on the full and turning over the ball cheaply.
Agnatius Paasi – 7
Like his front row partner he ran strongly during the first half and set the platform for the Warriors. Probably didn't play long enough stints to have as much impact as he could have had but was great while on the paddock.
Adam Blair – 6
Another player to have a bit of a mixed night. He worked hard on defence and led the side's line-speed as he has done all season. He made some crucial tackles to shut down attacking plays but also produced a silly offload when the Warriors were well on top and that turned the tide Penrith's way.
Tohu Harris – 8
Harris continued a superb season with a typically strong all-round game. He did extremely well helping shut down the dangerous Kikau on the left edge while he carried the ball effectively and made big yardage. He also demonstrated his terrific ball skills with some lovely ball-playing.
Simon Mannering – 9
Best on the field for the Warriors. He pushed through the pain of a sternum injury that could easily have ruled him out and put in a brilliant all-round performance. Mannering made all of his tackles and a few extra, while running the ball strongly and effectively.
Reserves:
Bunty Afoa – 5
Struggled to have much impact early in his stint as Penrith dominated the possession at that point of the game. Carried strongly and made his tackles but couldn't swing the momentum his side's way.
Jazz Tevaga – 8
A typically solid and hard-working performance from Tevaga off the bench. He made a lot of tackles and was effective as always carrying the forward, using footwork and deception to take it to bigger opponents.
Isaiah Papali'i – 4
Came on when the Panthers were well on top. Was strong defensively as usual but didn't get many chances to do much with the ball.
Gerard Beale – 4
Came on much earlier than expected to replace Tuivasa-Sheck. Made his tackles but didn't do anything special with the ball and dropped a couple of passes.
On the surface, the Warriors draw for the 2025 season is quite kind