This game highlights the Panthers superpower - intensity. Teams start out looking good at the start and after half time. As the game goes on, the continuous waves of attack rolling up the field, the constant hammering by the defence driving them back in tackles, the bench coming on and increasing the intensity, it just saps the energy. One minute they are in front, or only a try behind and the next minute they are twenty points behind and their forward are bent over sucking in the big ones.
You look at the stats and the Titans had 43 sets to our 41. But our average set was 48m vs 32m for them. That is 50% more effective, yet they have a really good pack of forwards and an elite level prop. Three of their forwards made 150m plus. To help with that they had five more penalties/six agains. In theory they had enough ball to win the game and dominate the yardage.
At 22 - 14 the commentators were urging the Titans on, but then we changed into a different gear and bang, three tries in a row. They couldn't go with it because of all the work done during the game that sucks the energy out of their legs. When we find our groove, we turn the intensity up to a level that just melts teams. We didn't even play particularly well, we were a bit clunky at times, but we still had that intensity chipping away at their resolve. Draining their batteries, burning their lungs.
it comes to something when you score 40 points and you watch the game and go "meh". We are so spoilt as Panthers fans. Long may it continue!