Penrith Panthers coach Ivan Cleary has labelled their golden-point victory against the Dolphins as “special” as they looked dead and buried after conceding four tries within 15 minutes.

Behind on the scoreboard with roughly ten minutes to go in the contest, it looked as though the Panthers were set to concede back-to-back losses and move down from the top of the NRL ladder.

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However, after having no real opportunities in the second half, they produced a try out of nowhere.

In their first set after dropping the lead, they ran 80 metres before the ball ended up in the hands of winger Thomas Jenkins, who put it down for a try, thus taking the match into extra time.

“At 22-18, we had everything against us. They were playing well (and) had momentum,” coach Ivan Cleary said post-match.

“We were thinking we’re just trying to get it back and never seemed to. And one crack down their end, we scored so that says a fair bit about the team and the character.

“Somehow, we found how to win the game. You win differently but that was pretty special.”

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Asked about the grit, determination and character of the team, Panthers co-captain Isaah Yeo said he was proud of his teammates as the hot, humid conditions continued to take a toll on them.

“I was trying to say all the right things and just trying to get a bit of energy around the group. It was physically taxing the conditions,” Yeo added.

“They had a lot of repeat sets, so still trying to find energy in those moments.

“It probably took us a little bit too long to find it but then what Ivan touched on, just being able to sort of really have one opportunity down there with about four or five minutes to go and then to be able to ice that.

“You could sort of see that broke their hearts a little bit. They probably thought they had it just about wrapped up with the way that they were playing.

“To be able to drag that was nice (and) sort of flannel around a little bit there (for) that four-minute period but it was just nice to get that massive play.”

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Meanwhile, Cleary was full of praise for winger Thomas Jenkins who made it seven consecutive matches in which he has crossed for more than one try.

On track to break the record for most tries in a single season, he has also emerged as a potential State of Origin bolter for the New South Wales Blues.

“It’s a funny thing about scoring tries, especially if you’re a winger. There’s a lot of good lead-up work done inside you a lot of the time,” Cleary added.

“But the one on halftime was a great try. He scored another one like that recently as well. He’s nailing everything that’s coming his way, so it’s a great story.

“He’s been really good for us.”