This was published 12 years ago
NRL finals turned on their head
Roosters 18 - 19 Panthers
A low-trajectory Jamie Soward field goal with less than 10 seconds left on the clock earned the Panthers an extraordinary 19-18 victory.
Roosters 18 - 19 Panthers
Penrith have turned the NRL title race on its head with a miraculous last-gasp qualifying win over the Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium.
Roosters 18 - 19 Panthers
A solo try six minutes from fulltime to star halfback Mitchell Pearce, and a controversial conversion to five-eighth James Maloney, had given the Roosters an 18-12 lead.
Roosters 18 - 19 Panthers
But the Panthers would cross last, with young winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak somehow knocking a Soward grubber kick from outside the field of play to centre Dean Whare who planted the ball.
Roosters 18 - 19 Panthers
Soward, who won the man-of-the-match award, was ecstatic after levelling the scores with the successful conversion but the best was still yet to come in the form of his match-winning field goal.
Roosters 18 - 19 Panthers
The Panthers had opened the scoring thanks to a try from winger Josh Mansour after good lead-up work from Soward and centre Jamal Idris.
Roosters 18 - 19 Panthers
Matt Moylan - who has earned comparisions with the great Darren lockyer - played a key role in the lead-up with a 60m kick return.
Roosters 18 - 19 Panthers
The fullback impressed with his composure and a number of classy touches throughout the match that belied his inexperience.
Roosters 18 - 19 Panthers
A brilliant solo try on the half hour to former Penrith star Michael Jennings, and a sideline conversion from Maloney, had earned the minor premiers a 6-4 halftime lead. But the Roosters were to fall short and now have to host the in-form Cowboys with a spot in the preliminary final against South Sydney on the line.
