Nathan Cleary's field goal 'shank' seals golden point thriller after Dolphins comeback

Nathan Cleary has defied a brilliant comeback from the Dolphins, sinking an unorthodox field goal to seal a 23-22 victory for the Panthers.

Penrith had shot out to an 18-0 lead by half-time in Darwin as it looked like the Dolphins' defensive woes had returned.

However, Herbie Farnworth, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Selwyn Cobbo and Jake Averillo all scored to put the Dolphins in front.

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Thomas Jenkins then crossed for another double to level up proceedings.

The match went to golden point and in the final seconds of the first half, Cleary was set up 20 metres out from the posts.

The Dolphins defence rushed him but Cleary stepped away before putting over a field goal that Andrew Johns described as a "shank".

Post-match, the halfback described the moment as "frantic" to Nine's Johnathan Thurston.

"I missed a few opportunities in regular time so I felt I needed to get that one," he said.

"To be honest, the drop felt like your one in the 2015 grand final. I just had to scoop it and try and get it through, but I'm very grateful it went through."

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The Panthers notably struggled more than the Dolphins with conditions despite the scoreline.

Dylan Edwards constantly battled a leg issue and consumed his fair share of pickle juice.

At one stage with 10 minutes left in the match, Luke Garner went down injured while Edwards was limping around.

Footage from an earlier aerial contest between Edwards and Tabuai-Fidow showed Edwards clutching at his right upper hamstring.

Johns had serious concerns.

"That isn't a cork, that is a tear, the way he grabbed at it," he said.

Edwards, in typical fashion, managed to push through the pain barrier to help lead Penrith to victory.