The Panthers fell to a 25-6 loss to Newcastle Knights at Carrington Park, Bathurst on Saturday.
The depleted Panthers team, ravaged by injuries and five Origin absentees, slumped to a 24-0 deficit in the first half and failed to find a way back.
The sole highlight of the Panthers night came through NRL debutant Harry Hassett, who became Panther No. 629 and scored a memorable try in his maiden game.
Highlights: Panthers v Knights
The alarm bells sounded early as Fletcher Sharpe opened the scoring for Newcastle in the 4th minute, shrugging through a tame goal-line defensive effort.
By the 12th minute, it was 18-0 to the Knights after Dylan Lucas twice sliced through the defence from a Tyson Gamble short ball.
Tom Jenkins appeared to have pulled one back for the Panthers when he launched for the left corner, but the Bunker ruled a knock on.
Soon after, Jenkins made a crucial intercept to keep the Knights at bay. The Panthers went back on the attack and Izack Tago touched down, although another Bunker intervention denied him.
Liam Henry was sent to the sin bin and placed on report for a crusher tackle midway through the half, paving the way for another Knights try.
Dylan Lucas completed his first-half hat-trick in the 23rd minute, pouncing on a deft kick for 24-0.
The Panthers seemed to finally have their first try when Izack Tago swooped on Brad Schneider’s grubber, but the Bunker showed red lights for a third time.
Lucas almost had a fourth try on the stroke of half-time, denied only by a last-gasp effort from Daine Laurie.
The Knights took a 24-0 lead to the sheds, which they held for much of the second half.
It was not until the 60th minute that the Panthers opened their account, as Harry Hassett announced his arrival with a try on debut.
Moments after entering the field to become Panther No. 629, the local junior ran a fantastic line to storm onto Brad Schneider's short pass and score in a special moment for the debutant.
Harry Hassett scores NRL debut try
Paul Alamoti converted, giving the Panthers a glimmer of hope at 24-6 with 20 minutes to play.
The try breathed life into the Panthers, as Casey McLean made a line break soon after to put his side back on the attack. The phase fizzled out with an error in the red zone, bringing the Panthers momentum to a halt.
Fletcher Sharpe looked set to seal the deal when he set his sights on the try line, before Tom Jenkins produced a miraculous, try-saving tackle.
Penalties and errors kept the Panthers from piling any more pressure on Newcastle, and Jack Cogger put the game to bed in the 75th minute with a field goal.
The Panthers return to CommBank Stadium in Round 13, hosting the Eels in a crucial Battle of the West encounter on Sunday 1 June.
