‘Last laugh’: Fisher-Harris’ Panthers taunts backfire
George Clarke |
Few NRL players come out on top in a head to head with James Fisher-Harris which is why Penrith winger Paul Alamoti was only too happy to claim victory in the pair’s running battle by silencing the trash-talking Warriors enforcer.
Penrith won 20-18 in Sunday’s thrilling top-of-the-table clash and moved four points clear at the top of the ladder with Alamoti scoring the match-winning try after an earlier blunder.
The Panthers winger misjudged a wobbly kick in the second half which allowed Alofiana Khan-Pereira to score in the 58th minute and Fisher-Harris was first in to sarcastically applaud his former teammate for handing the Warriors a gift-wrapped try.
But Alamoti made amends at the death, scoring the winner and putting his finger to his mouth in a shushing motion.
“That’s the competitiveness from him and I both and having a bit of that in the game brings a lot more into it,” Alamoti said.
“He actually said a few things but I don’t remember (because) in the moment I was just filthy at myself for letting the try in.
“I couldn’t really do much because I was on the receiving end… but I was able to get the last laugh.
“I’m happy I was the one to come out on top, it’s bittersweet that’s for sure.”
Despite giving away a significant size disadvantage, stand-in Penrith captain Dylan Edwards was first to rush in and stand up to Fisher-Harris, sparking a melee that bubbled along for a good while.
“Every time you line up against ‘Fish’, everyone knows the fear factor,” Alamoti said.
“It’s always good when your team has your back. It shows a good connection within the group.”
Penrith moved to 11-1 following Sunday’s victory over the second-placed Warriors and look a sure thing to pull away to lock in a top-two finish.
The Panthers sole defeat this season came at the hands of struggling Canterbury.
“It’s huge because this time last year we were on the receiving end (of bad results),
“To be in the position that we’re in today is obviously just a credit to the club as a whole.
“We’ve worked so hard, learned a lot of lessons, and hopefully it’ll pay us back (later in the season).”
AAP