Former Panthers pile misery on Mountain Men as Titans claim 30-24 victory

They got out of jail last week in golden point against Wests Tigers, but on Friday night Penrith’s stuttering start to the season hit another low when they crashed to bottom-placed Gold Coast.

Penrith fell to the previously winless Titans on the Gold Coast. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)

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Let’s hope Ivan Cleary and Phil Gould are getting on. Because if they’re not, this could get ugly, real soon.

After a stuttering start to the season, Cleary’s return to Penrith hit a new low when they crashed to a shock 30-24 defeat to bottom-placed Gold Coast with a controversial penalty try handing the Titans their first win of the season.

The Panthers will wake up nursing a rotten headache but have only themselves to blame after discipline again brought them undone - and ironically, it was former Panther Bryce Cartwright who came back to bite them.

Penrith fell to the previously winless Titans on the Gold Coast. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)

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PENALTY TRY CONTROVERSY

They got out of jail last week with a golden point victory against Cleary’s former club Wests Tigers.

But in what was supposed to be a celebration on Friday night to mark Cleary’s milestone 300th match as an NRL coach, the Panthers were sent packing with more questions than answers.

While there was plenty of talk last week about the relationship between Cleary and his general manager of football Gould, you wouldn’t expect the tension will ease in the coming days after the Panthers absolutely butchered two vital competition points.

And the circumstances that led to Cartwright’s 68th minute penalty try exposed a lack of discipline shown throughout the match.

The Titans are off the mark for 2019. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Penrith trailed 5-1 on the penalty count at the break and they deserved to go to the sheds behind 18-12 on the scoreboard.

James Maloney and Reagan Campbell-Gillard were the worst offenders at that point, with Maloney finishing with eight missed tackles.

Ultimately it was Cartwright’s controversial try that decided the result.

Dale Copley did some wonderful work to set the play in motion down the left touchline before he was pulled back by Dallin Watene-Zelezniak as he put through a kick.

Cartwright was also grabbed from behind as he lunged for the ball over the line.

Maloney was furious at the penalty try decision given Cartwright did have a chance to ground the ball but the call was spot on. Cartwright was not given a fair chance to score.

Nathan Cleary had a strong game for the Panthers. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)

WHERE TO NOW?

They have one of the best rosters in the competition but one thing the Panthers don’t have is discipline.

On paper they should beat the Titans every day of the week but until they start playing with the right attitude and with everyone on the same page they will not be a serious title contender.

On Friday night the Panthers scored first through Maloney by exposing Cartwright’s defence but to their credit the Titans kept fighting back.

The lead went back and forth, with the Panthers constantly looking as though they were in control of the match.

Nathan Cleary was solid and put on a beautiful pass to send Josh Mansour over early in the second half, while big Viliame Kikau busted through five defenders midway through the first half with absolute contempt.

But to beat any side, let alone the better ones, it takes an 80 minute effort.

LISTEN! Matty Johns is back with his latest podcast and with Paul Kent and James Hooper runs the rule over struggling team, takes a look at what makes a great halfback and has his say on the modern coaching problem. Plenty of laughs to be had as well.

GARTH’S LUCKY BREAK

Garth Brennan would have been thanking going into Friday night’s game how lucky he was for Gold Coast management to extend his contract until the end of 2020 before the season even kicked off.

After four straight losses, it’s a bit early to be saying the Titans can be a finals hope this year after one win.

But the grit and determination they showed on Friday night proves they can compete.

Ash Taylor left the field with injury. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)

TAYLOR’S INJURY WOES

Ash Taylor is the highest paid player at the Titans but his injuries struggles continued on Friday night.

The million dollar playmaker only lasted 27 minutes before he was forced off with a badly corked right leg.

That left Tyrone Roberts and AJ Brimson to lead the way and both played outstanding.

The Titans will be sweating on Taylor being back for next Sunday’s clash with Newcastle.

But the luckless Isaah Yeo might have less chance after the tough backrower was replaced in the second half after hearing a crack in his shoulder.

GOLD COAST 30 (B Cartwright A Don M Gordon T Roberts J Wallace tries M Gordon 5 goals) bt PENRITH 24 (J Fisher-Harris V Kikau J Maloney J Mansour tries N Cleary 4 goals) at Cbus Super Stadium.