The Panthers have suffered their fifth-straight loss for the first time since 2019 after going down to the Dolphins 24-12 at Suncorp Stadium.
The defending premiers now face the startling stat that all but puts a line through their season — no team has recovered from a 1-5 start to win the premiership.
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MATCH CENTRE: Dolphins vs Panthers teams, scores, videos, updates
The Dolphins were on from the get-go with the home team shooting out to a 6-0 lead three minutes into the contest thanks to some brilliance from their star fullback Tabuai-Fidow.
The speedy No.1 started off the passage of play by putting Herbie Farnworth into space before popping up in support and scoring.
It made up for a howler of an error in the opening 30 seconds when Daniel Saifiti knocked on — and lost the Dolphins’ captain’s challenge.
But the defending premiers hit back seven minutes later through Casey McLean, who pounced on a neat grubber by Nathan Cleary.
The Hammer crossed for his second of the night in almost identical fashion to his first try after once again putting his centre into space — this time Jake Averillo — and then supporting to finish the play off.
The Panthers then copped a major setback whenAlamoti was sin-binned for his high tackle on Gilbert.
Alamoti was given his marching orders after referee Grant Atkins declared the centre made “direct contact” with Gilbert’s head and made no attempt to wrap his arm.
The Dolphins took just three minutes to capitalise on their one-man advantage with Averillo crossing in the corner extend their lead to 18-6.
They picked up where they left off in the second half with Josh Kerr producing a great offload to send Connelly Lemuelu over for a try.
After some un-Penrith-like errors in the second half, the Panthers finally scored their second try of the night after a Jack Bostock howler.
Nathan Cleary put in a grubber and instead of kicking it dead, Bostock kicked it sideways into prime position for Moses Leota to pounce and score.
SEASON OVER FOR PANTHERS?
The Panthers will have to defy history to win the premiership this season after suffering a fifth-straight loss.
As per Fox Sports Lab, no team in NRL history has won the premiership after recording just one win from their first six games.
That is the sobering reality facing the defending premiers with Thursday’s loss no doubt set to trigger the question — is the Penrith dynasty over?
The Panthers looked disconnected in both defence and attack which was evident when their superstar No.7 Nathan Cleary threw a pass into touch.
“I don’t think I’ve seen Nathan Cleary throw a bad pass like that before,” champion halfback Cooper Cronk said in commentary.
“It’s hard to put into words what Penrith are doing given the level they have been at – they’re coming up with fundamental errors.”
The Panthers’ five-straight losses is going to be hard to recover from to make finals. In fact, the last time they suffered five consecutive losses was in 2019 – and they finished 10th that year.
TEAMS
Dolphins team: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Felise Kaufusi 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Tom Gilbert 13. Max Plath 14. Kurt Donoghoe 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Connelly Lemuelu 17. Josh Kerr. 18th man: 18. Sean O’Sullivan
Panthers team:1. Dylan Edwards 2. Paul Alamoti 3. Izack Tago 4. Thomas Jenkins 5. Casey McLean 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Luke Sommerton 15. Isaiah Papali’i 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 10. Lindsay Smith 14. Brad Schneider 16. Liam Henry 17. Luke Garner. 18th man: 18. Daine Laurie
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