Understrength Panthers still able to maul Warriors

SYDNEY: The Warriors’ annual dive out of premiership contention may have just begun after being pummelled by a depleted Penrith outfit on Friday night.

The Warriors started as favourites against a Panthers side missing eight firstgrade regulars, but were pummelled out of the contest in what was their secondbiggest defeat this year.

It was the first time the Warriors had lost backtoback games all season.

‘‘It was a tough one . . . It came out of nowhere,’’ coach Stephen Kearney said.

The result is expected to give further ammunition to critics who are waiting for the Warriors side to tumble out of the top eight, as history suggests.

Three times in the past four years the Warriors have looked finalsbound before fading.

‘‘I’m sorry to disappoint. People have been waiting for us to collapse all year, to be honest,’’ Kearney said.

‘‘We’ve got Broncos next weekend. For us the focus is about preparing well, take our best performance to Suncorp Stadium this weekend.’’

Penrith’s topfour ambitions were dealt a blow when fullback Dallin WateneZelezniak was ruled out for three weeks with a hamstring tear. He ran a gamehigh 164m and broke five tackles but was substituted with seven minutes to go.

The Rabbitohs and Dragons head the standings on 26 points. The Warriors are seventh on 22. — AAP