The West Brisbane Panthers kept their finals hopes alive with a great 40-30 win against over Gaters this weekend in the Brisbane Rugby League.
Panthers coach Wayne Weekes was pleased his side earned the two points, even though it was not his side’s best performance.
“The boys were very good in the first 20 minutes and then they had a lazy period,” Weekes said.
“But we got the job done in the end and they had the ability to lift as a team together.
“At the Panthers we do not make excuses, we will be making sure we are better next weekend and more consistent.”
Panthers forward James Sharkie scored a double in his first game back from a hand injury and Weekes could not be happier with his performance.
“James has been great for us, this was his first game back and having a couple week’s rest will be a good thing to help him recharge the batteries before the finals arrive,” he said.
Ex-soccer player Hayden Potter has been playing consistently in the Panthers A-Grade side and has been a great asset to his team’s attack.
His performance in this game shows his importance in the Panthers side, scoring a try and also kicking six conversions.
“He is a great footy player and deserves what he is achieving. He listens really well, works really hard and has improved massively,” Weekes said.
“It is hard to believe that just a couple years ago he was playing soccer and now he is consistently in our A-Grade side.”
The Panthers are currently sitting in fourth spot and this win has brought them just four points behind the third-placed Ipswich Jets.
This weekend, the Panthers will be hoping to close that gap between them and the Jets as they take on the Logan Brothers on Saturday.
“The team will be looking to improve on their intensity and consistency and will be aiming to be much better, on-song and ready to go,” Weekes said.
In other Round 16 games, the Jets were too strong for the Normanby Hounds winning 66-0, the Wynnum Manly Redland City Seagulls also had great win over the Valleys Diehards 52-18.
After a tough decision made last weekend to forfeit, Carina bounced back this weekend with a great win over the Logan Brothers 46-24 and the Redcliffe Dolphins remained top of the ladder defeating the Easts Tigers 22-16.
