A gutted Andrew Webster believes the Warriors are a “missing piece” away from contending for a premiership.

The Warriors were brave but their season is over after a 24-8 loss to the Panthers in the first elimination final.

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Webster was proud of his team’s effort, given they were hanging with all-conquering Panthers all game until Penrith kicked away late.

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However, the coach admits that for his side to be considered one of the best in the competition, they’ve “got to find that last piece”.

“We kinda got what we deserved in the end,” Webster said.

“Effort wasn’t our issue. We still just gifted the opposition points, but they’re a great team, in the right spot at the right time

“I just feel like we’ve built some great stuff but that last piece is missing.

“I feel like we’ve bought a lot of young guys through. I feel like our senior players have done a terrific job. I feel like we’ve handled adversity.

“We’ve got to find that. This group is so well connected but there’s a piece missing and I feel like we could launch if we take those lessons and go to that next step or we could stay exactly where we are which is just a top six team

“I just think we can be better.”

In fairness to the Warriors, they were without two of their best players in forward Mitch Barnett and half Luke Metcalf.

It’s not coincidence that the Warriors’ form dropped when Metcalf and Barnett suffered season ending injuries.

The flashpoint of the game occurred in the 66th minute with the Warriors trailing 12-8.

The Warriors were starting to get the upper hand and had been the more physical of the two sides in the previous ten minutes until the Panthers scored one of the most remarkable tries of the season.

A clearing kick from Nathan Cleary wasn’t fielded by the Warriors and it bounced right back into the arms of the Panthers who ended up scoring in that play.

There was a suspect pass from a Panther in the play that led to a try, which Fox League commentators Michael Ennis and Steve Roach called forward.

“Forward pass” try seals Warriors exit | 00:33

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Webster didn’t want to place blame on any officiating decision though, believing his side was a victim of some bad luck and a lack of communication.

“It’s the moment that breaks your heart. That stuff happens to us too often. No one can tell me there’s no effort in that period of play,” he said.

“No one looked scared of the moment or nervous. We were clear on what we wanted to do. We looked like a finals team but we lost. That’s why it’s heartbreaking

“We want to be the best so we still have a bit of work to do.”