Persistent Panthers hold out Broncos in Suncorp thriller

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Brisbane Broncos v Penrith Panthers

The Penrith Panthers of old came to the fore on Friday night as the defending premiers put on a defensive masterclass to hold out the Brisbane Broncos 14-6 in a Suncorp Stadium thriller.

Both teams come out of the game with injury concerns, with Jock Madden and Daine Laurie failing to finish after picking up hamstring issues.

Speaking of hamstrings, Penrith superstar Nathan Cleary is now scheduled to return after the bye in Round 20 as the Panthers look to make a push towards locking up a top four spot.

As for Brisbane, while a much-improved effort in defence on Friday, the loss means the Broncos will still be at least two points adrift of the top eight by the end of the week.

Ivan Cleary dropped a selection bombshell before Friday's game, promoting Laurie to the wing in place of Sunia Turuva, although it took just a few minutes for that plan to quickly unravel.

Laurie came from the field with a hamstring injury and did not return, seeing Jack Cole injected into the game while Paul Alamoti shifted to the wing.

Cole made an immediate impact as he scored with his first touch, in the right place at the right time after a sublime pass from prop James Fisher-Harris opened up space on the left edge. 

The Panthers had several chances to extend their lead throughout the first half but struggled to break through Brisbane's brick wall defence, finishing with 28 tackles in the opposition 20 but managing just the one try.

It meant the Broncos went into halftime leading 6-4 after the speed of Reece Walsh proved too much for Penrith's right edge defence in the 26th minute.

It took something unconventional for the Panthers to go over for their second of the night, with an awkward Jarome Luai bomb taken on the full by Liam Martin, who spun it to Lindsay Smith as the front rower put boot to ball and set up Brian To'o out wide.

Dylan Edwards was once again unable to convert the try, leaving the score at 8-6.

It came after Brisbane was dealt an injury blow of its own as Madden limped off after chasing down an Ezra Mam kick, pulling up lame with what was later reported as a suspected torn hamstring.

While the attack wasn't always slick, Penrith quickly got the upper hand in the second half on the back of its relentless line speed as Brisbane continually struggled for meterage in its own end.

The persistence and patience from the Panthers eventually paid dividends as Mitch Kenny slid over out of dummy-half to put the away side up 14-6 with 10 minutes left.

Brisbane threatened to set up a grandstand finish on a few occasions but Penrith continued to turn up and held the Broncos scoreless in the second half.

Kevin Walters' side now have to prepare for the Dragons next week while the Panthers will be able to rest up on the bye after a grueling win.