The Panthers kicked off 2025 in style, scoring a 28-22 win over Cronulla Sharks in Las Vegas.
A thriller in the USA, the Panthers season-opener came down to the wire. The Sharks started strongly and finished with a flurry, but the Panthers poise prevailed at Allegiant Stadium.
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Highlights: Panthers v Sharks
Panthers co-captains Isaah Yeo and Nathan Cleary led the way to victory on foreign land, as their dominant displays made a world of difference.
Yeo scored the opening try and made 147 run metres with 41 tackles, while Cleary showed class with a try assist and four conversions.
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Daine Laurie bagged a crucial second-half double, filling in on the wing after Casey McLean suffered a head injury in the early stages.
Izack Tago and Paul Alamoti rounded out the scoring, while Isaiah Papali'i made his club debut to become Panther No. 827.
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Team Song: Round 1
A high-tempo opening was halted by McLean's injury, and the Sharks instantly set their sights on the Panthers weakened left edge.
After Jesse Ramien opened the scoring for Cronulla, the two sides entered an arm wrestle. Fortune did not favour the Panthers as they were denied both a try and a 40/20 by the officials.
Co-captain Isaah Yeo took matters into his own hands to open the Panthers account, slicing through a gap in the Sharks goal-line defence with power and skill. Nathan Cleary knocked over the conversion to push the Panthers ahead 6-4.
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Skipper Yeo leads from the front
The Panthers returned to attacking territory moments later, and another co-captain delivered. Cleary conjured a spectacular Panthers try as his clever kick was pounced upon by Izack Tago, before landing another conversion.
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Cleary conjures a beauty
The Sharks responded well to the one-two punch, pulling back a try through Briton Nikora on the stroke of half-time. Braydon Trindall converted to narrow the Panthers lead to 12-10 at the break.
Cronulla looked set to snatch the lead early in the second half when Braden Hamlin-Uele wrestled towards the line, but the Panthers desperate defence forced an error.
The Panthers quickly capitalised on the reprieve, marching upfield and extending their lead.
Cleary and Jack Cole combined to create space for Daine Laurie, and the makeshift winger came up trumps as he dived over out wide. The Panthers halfback split the uprights with his conversion attempt for an 18-10 lead.
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Lift-off for Laurie in Las Vegas
As they did in the first half, the Panthers followed up one try with another in quick succession.
This time Cleary swung the ball right, and the quick hands of Dylan Edwards sent Paul Alamoti over in the corner. Another spectacular sideline conversion by Cleary put the Panthers into a commanding 14-point lead.
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Alamoti launches to the line
The Sharks would not roll over though, hitting back through Kayal Iro and Addin Fonua-Blake. The two converted tries closed the gap to two points and gave Cronulla momentum heading into the final 10 minutes.
The Panthers had their backs against the wall as the Sharks went in search of the lead, but their resolute goal-line defence withstood a dangerous late attack.
Their defensive efforts were duly rewarded in the 76th minute, as Daine Laurie finished off a perfectly executed set play and extended the Panthers lead to 28-22.
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Daine Laurie finishes the job
The Sharks threatened to add a late twist to the tale, but the Panthers maintained their composure to see out a hard-fought win.
The Panthers will return to Australia to resume their campaign in Round 2, hosting the Roosters in their first home game at CommBank Stadium on Friday 14 March.
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