Panthers survive huge Titans scare to extend five-year record, but Cleary dearly missed: What we learned

The Panthers survived an almighty scare to beat the Titans 18-12 on Saturday night and secure a home qualifying final for the fifth year in a row.

But Penrith will need Nathan Cleary back and soon if they’re to have any chance of winning an NRL-era record fourth straight premiership.

MATCH CENTRE: Panthers v Titans, teams, video, stats

The Titans held a shock 6-4 lead at halftime after outplaying the three-time reigning premiers in the opening 40 minutes at Penrith Park.

e Titans scare to extend five-year record, but Cleary dearly missed: What we learned

The hosts struck first when Dylan Edwards threw a dummy, slipped a tackle and selflessly put Brian To’o over out wide in the seventh minute.

But the visitors hit back thanks to some individual brilliance from fullback Jayden Campbell in the 15th minute and they were the better team from that point onwards.

The Gold Coast turned up to play in their last hit-out of the season with some bone-crunchingKeano Kinithat had been missing for most of the year.

The Panthers came out a different side in the second half and tries to Edwards and Luke Garner ultimately proved the difference.

The NRL’s leading try-scorer Alofiana Khan-Pereira scoring in the 69th minute to set up a grandstand finish, but the premiers held on.

Titans star Jayden Campbell was moved from five-eighth to fullback to cover the absence of Keano Kini (cork) and he produced a scintillating opening 40 minutes.

The silky smooth playmaker was in everything and the 24-year-old produced a try of the year contender in the 15th minute.

Campbell scooped up a loose ball 39 metres out then burst off the mark and bamboozled the Panthers’ defence with a sizzling left-foot step not once but twice in a matter of seconds to score under the posts untouched.

“Look at the step he puts on to beat Liam Martin and Dylan Edwards, two NSW players,” Greg Alexander said on Fox League.

“That was one of the more electrifying tries I’ve seen this year, individual brilliance,” Cooper Cronk added.

“The ball is on the deck and watch the footwork that he does to beat a couple of defenders, it was absolutely brilliant.”

Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga believes the son of a gun plays like his father – former Panthers playmaker Preston Campbell.

“That try reminded me of his dad’s days at Penrith,”

“This is the first time Jayden has played at Penrith Park and obviously his old man played there many years ago with a lot of success and hopefully he’s there watching today.

“He’s an electrifying player, he can play five-eighth, fullback, you can play him anywhere, he’s just a natural footballer.”

Campbell finished with 167 metres from 17 carries that produced six tackle busts and a linebreak.