Blue Mountains fans of Penrith Panthers may have needed a lie down after watching their team squeeze past Parramatta Eels on Saturday night to keep their 2021 NRL campaign alive.
In a brutal semi-final at BB Print Stadium in Mackay, the Panthers overcome the Eels 8-6 thanks to a try from second-rower Kurt Capewell and goals from halfback Nathan Cleary. The game was a physical, exhausting affair between the two Western Sydney rivals, with no tries scored after the 16th minute.
Penrith now face Melbourne Storm for a place in the grand final - the Storm, of course, being the team that vanquished the 'Mountain Men' in last year's grand final.
"We have had to learn how to win different ways this year and our defence certainly held up tonight," Panthers coach Ivan Cleary told the press after the match. "Everyone is a bit bruised and battered after a game like that but it is certainly a lot better when you win."
While Penrith's defence was outstanding, they will need to work on their attack ahead of a formidable challenge against the Storm, having scored just two tries across their two finals games.
The Panthers count among their ranks Blaxland-raised Peter Wallace as an assistant coach, while Storm second-rower Tom Eisenhuth hails from Springwood.
Penrith's preliminary final against Melbourne kicks off at 4pm on Saturday at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.
