A taunt from former teammate James Fisher-Harris sparked the Penrith Panthers into life, as Paul Alamoti recovered from a horror moment to score the winning try in a 20-18 victory over the Warriors.
Match Overview
The clash between first-placed Penrith and second-placed Warriors was comfortably the game of the season, even with both teams missing five combined State of Origin stars. Blues rookie Casey McLean starred with a first-half double for Penrith, while former NSW fullback Dylan Edwards was immense with a game-saving tackle before setting up Alamoti for the winner.
The Turning Point
It was fitting that Alamoti scored the decisive try, given his costly slip under a high ball led to an Alofiana Khan-Pereira try that sparked a minute of furious pushing and shoving in the in-goal. The incident was ignited by Fisher-Harris, who ran in and clapped in Alamoti's face. Edwards shoved his former teammate, and more players joined the melee.
“It was good to have a bit of feeling in the game,” Edwards said. “They were giving it to each other throughout the game. When we go down, it gives us a bit of a leg-up and it brings us together.” Fisher-Harris was nonplussed: “I just clapped five times and it got a bit heated. I know those boys, and it’s just the heat of the battle.”
Alamoti's Response
Alamoti was too upset by his error to fully comprehend the scuffle, but he relished the exchange with the legendary prop who taught him about “fear factor” during their 2024 grand final win. “It was just a bit of competitiveness,” the winger said. “He said a few things, but I actually don’t remember. In the moment, I was just filthy at myself that I let the try in.”
“I was on the receiving end, so you can’t really do much. But I was able to get the last laugh, so that was good. I was pretty fortunate. It’s bittersweet, that’s for sure.”
Edwards' Support
Edwards was enormous for Penrith, just days after watching his replacement James Tedesco win the Origin opener. He was the first to stand up for Alamoti. “I actually went up to him afterwards and I was like ‘thanks for that, bro’,” Alamoti said. “It’s always good when your teammates have got your back because it shows a good connection within the group.”
Emotional Rollercoaster
Alamoti had the last laugh with the winning try – his second of the night in front of a raucous crowd dominated by travelling fans – but his emotions would have been different had they lost after his slip. “The ball kind of dropped and it just dipped on me and I got caught wrong-footed and ended up slipping,” he said. “You wouldn’t wish that upon anyone. It’s just a bit of an unlucky moment.”
“I was looking at the big screen, and I was just like ‘it couldn’t have come at a worse time with the game in the balance’. Luckily enough we were able to swing things back and come out on top.”
