Warriors vs Panthers Clash: Absence of Key Players and Off-field Issues Impact Match Outcome

Young talent Taine Tuaupiki showcased his skill by converting his own try to give the Warriors a narrow lead against the Panthers in a thrilling match at Suncorp Stadium.

With just minutes remaining, the Warriors held a slim 22-20 advantage over the Panthers despite facing adversity after hooker Wayde Egan’s early exit due to a failed HIA test.

Both teams entered the clash missing key players, with the Warriors already without star duo Shaun Johnson and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, and the Panthers dealing with the absence of playmaker Nathan Cleary and centre Taylan May, who was sidelined following domestic violence charges.

In a last-minute setback for the Warriors, ball-playing forward Tohu Harris was ruled out due to injury, adding to their challenges against a resilient Panthers side.

The Panthers, fresh off a hard-fought victory over the Bulldogs, aimed to maintain their position in the top four, but the absence of Cleary and the late withdrawals of May and Brad Schneider posed significant hurdles for the team.

This forced Jack Cole and Jarome Luai to step up as the new halves pairing, tasked with guiding the Panthers to victory in the face of mounting pressure from the Warriors.