The Mole's player ratings: James Fisher-Harris 'outgunned' against ex-teammates as Warriors collapse

Penrith have kept their five-peat hopes alive with a hard-fought victory against a brave Warriors outfit, advancing to the semi-finals on Saturday.

The visitors overcame a couple of scares to record a 24-8 win, knocking the Auckland-based outfit from the finals in the process.

The usual suspects starred for the Panthers, while the halves pairing for the Wahs struggled to fire under the bright lights of finals footy.

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The Mole rates every player's performance below.

PENRITH PANTHERS

1. Dylan Edwards

Safe as always at the back and ran for 180 metres to keep his Kangaroos dream alive. Rating: 8

2. Paul Alamoti

Overcame a nervous start to put in a solid shift with 150 run metres and some good yardage from the backfield. Rating: 7

3. Izack Tago

Had few chances in the Warriors' red zone but did plenty of work carting the ball forward for his team. Rating: 7

4. Casey McLean

The youngster with the happy knack of scoring tries did it again, scoring the try that broke the Warriors' spirit. Rating: 7.5

5. Brian To'o

Despite the greasy conditions, he was at his barnstorming best, having a hand in two Panthers tries and scoring the try that sealed the win. Rating: 8.5

6. Blaize Talagi

Felt his way in his first finals match, having little impact but making no errors. He will be better for the experience. Rating: 5

7. Nathan Cleary

Came up with the big plays when the Panthers needed them most, laying on the opening try and kicking superbly in general play. Rating: 8.5

8. Moses Leota

Thrived in taking on his "Bruise Brother" Fisher-Harris and all power and impact up front. Rating: 7.5

14. Brad Schneider

Scored a fine try and was handy out of dummy-half after surviving an early head knock. Rating: 6.5

10. Lindsay Smith

Much-improved forward gave the Panthers plenty of go-forward in an enthusiastic performance. Rating: 7

11. Scott Sorensen

Never got the ball in decent places on the field, making just six runs for 40 metres. Rating: 4.5

12. Liam Martin

Never stopped taking on the Warriors for the full 80 minutes, doing the little things all game. Rating: 7

13. Isaah Yeo

The skipper led from the front, topping the tackle count and making more yardage than any forward on the field. Rating: 8.5

9. Luke Sommerton

Quiet out of dummy-half, content to shovel the ball to the playmakers, making just four runs. Rating: 4

15. Liam Henry

Only got 26 minutes on the field but ensured the Panthers' forwards kept the upper hand over the Wahs. Rating: 5

16. Isaiah Papali'i

Made a huge impact off the bench, scoring the opening try and racking up 100 metres by halftime. Rating: 7.5

17. Luke Garner

He couldn't have much effect on the result with under 20 minutes in the middle. Rating: 4

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NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS

1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad

He was tested time and again by Cleary's cunning kicking game and handled the task well in difficult conditions. Rating: 7

2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak

Ran strongly, as always, but had a couple of slip-ups with his hands on the wet surface. Rating: 6

3. Adam Pompey

After what has been his best season in the NRL, he had few chances in attack with his inside men giving him nothing to work with. Rating: 5

11. Leka Halasima

His move to the centres looked like a masterstroke when he scored the Warriors' lone try, but then he came up with a couple of costly errors. Rating: 7

5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck

Rockin' Roger keeps doing the job for the Warriors - ran for nearly 200 metres and was one of his team's better players. Rating: 7

6. Chanel Harris-Tavita

Didn't take on the line enough with the football - just four runs for 39 metres in a quiet display. Rating: 5

7. Tanah Boyd

Just not up to leading a team around the park in a big finals game, lacking that vital attacking spark. Rating: 4.5

8. James Fisher-Harris

Tried to lift the Warriors up front but was outgunned by his great mate Leota for impact. Rating: 6

9. Wayde Egan

Failed to replicate his form from the regular season, making little ground out of dummy-half before an HIA forced him off. Rating: 5

10. Jackson Ford

Strong up the middle for the Warriors, bending back the line and doing plenty of grunt work in defence. Rating: 7

4. Kurt Capewell

Named at centre but shifted to the second row, he struggled to make an impression on the game. Rating: 5

12. Marata Niukore

Ran with plenty of determination but couldn't make a dent in the Pink Panthers' wall. Rating: 6

13. Erin Clark

A great signing for the Wahs this year and was among their best again, running for 120 metres. Rating: 7.5

14. Te Maire Martin

Did a great job last year replacing Shaun Johnson, but has been off the pace this season. Rating: 5

16. Demitric Vaimauga

Gave little from the bench with just six runs for 40 metres in 40 minutes. Rating: 4

17. Tanner Stowers-Smith

Got less than 20 minutes of game time and could produce little to turn the tide in that time. Rating: 3.5

20. Samuel Healey

Came on to replace Egan for the final 15 minutes, but the Panthers were all over the Wahs by then. Rating: 3