Penrith\u2019s 20-18 victory over the second-placed Warriors was comfortably the game of the season even though both teams were missing a combined five Origin stars.<\/p>\n
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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 with 15 minutes to go before he set up Paul Alamoti for the winner.<\/p>\n
It was fitting that Alamoti scored the try that put Penrith back in front given it was his costly slip under a high ball that led to an Alofiana Khan-Pereira try that set off a minute of furious pushing and shoving in the in-goal.<\/p>\n
The incident was sparked by Fisher-Harris, who ran in and clapped in Alamoti\u2019s face, with Edwards shoving his former teammate and more players getting involved. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt was good to have a bit of feeling in the game,\u201d Edwards said, with the referee calling over both captains to speak to them after the heated exchange. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey 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 and we push forward together.\u201d<\/p>\n
McLean stars again after Origin debut | 06:59<\/p>\n
Fisher-Harris was typically nonplussed by the incident. <\/p>\n
\u201cI just clapped five times and it got a bit heated,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know those boys, and it\u2019s just the heat of the battle. We were having fun out there.\u201d<\/p>\n
Alamoti was too upset by the error to fully comprehend what happened during the scuffle, but he relished the exchange with the legendary prop who taught him all about \u201cfear factor\u201d when they won the 2024 grand final together. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt was just a bit of competitiveness from him and I, and it\u2019s good having a bit of that in the game. It obviously brings a lot more emotion into it and it\u2019s just the competitive side of both of us coming out,\u201d the winger said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe said a few things, but I actually don\u2019t remember (what he said). In the moment, I was just filthy at myself that I let the try in, so I couldn\u2019t really do much. <\/p>\n
\u201cI was on the receiving end, so when you\u2019re on the receiving end, you can\u2019t really do much. But I was able to get the last laugh, so that was good.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was pretty fortunate, to be honest, so I\u2019m happy I was the one that came out on top in the end. It\u2019s bittersweet, that\u2019s for sure.\u201d<\/p>\n
Panthers hold out Warriors in an epic | 03:37<\/p>\n
Edwards was enormous for Penrith just days after he had to watch his replacement James Tedesco win the Origin opener for the Blues, with the fill-in skipper the first player who ran in to stand up for Alamoti. <\/p>\n
\u201cI actually went up to him afterwards and I was like \u2018thanks for that, bro\u2019,\u201d Alamoti said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was on the receiving end, so I probably deserved it. But it\u2019s always good when your teammates have got your back because it shows a good connection within the group and it\u2019s good signs.\u201d<\/p>\n
Alamoti had the last laugh with the winning try \u2013 his second of the night in front of a raucous crowd dominated by travelling fans \u2013 but his emotions would\u2019ve been a lot different had they lost after he slipped trying to catch a wonky kick. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe ball kind of dropped and it just dipped on me and I got caught wrong-footed and ended up slipping,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou wouldn\u2019t wish that upon anyone. It\u2019s just a bit of an unlucky moment and I was on the receiving end of it.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was looking at the big screen, and I was just like \u2018it couldn\u2019t have come at a worse time with the game in the balance\u2019.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think we were up one score, so that could have changed the game. Luckily enough we were able to swing things back and come out on top.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2014 Martin Gabor (NCA NewsWire)<\/p>\n
BULLDOGS STAR RESPONDS TO BEARS LINKS<\/p>\n
Canterbury Bulldogs star forward Jacob Preston has responded to reports linking him to the Perth Bears, the NRL\u2019s newest expansion side, which will enter the competition in 2027.<\/p>\n
Free to speak with rival teams from November 1, Preston has continuously found himself linked with the Bears, with coach Mal Meninga even going so far as to admit that he will be targeted over the next few months.<\/p>\n
However, the back-rower revealed that although he has caught their attention, he isn\u2019t thinking about it to much.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m contracted. Here until the end of 2027 and haven\u2019t really seen anything to do with that,\u201d Preston told the media on Monday.<\/p>\n
\u201cObviously, it\u2019s a nice feeling but it\u2019s rugby league. I think everyone gets thrown up to go to every club.\u201d<\/p>\n
‘Lachie would have laughed it off’ | 05:10<\/p>\n