NRL round 20: Penrith Panthers defeat Dolphins 28-26, Nathan Cleary returns from injury with match-winning field goal

Nathan Cleary marked his highly-anticipated return from injury with a match-winning two-point field goal for the Penrith Panthers, putting the rest of the NRL on notice in the process.

PENRITH, AUSTRALIA - JULY 21: Nathan Cleary of the Panthers kicks the match winning field goal in golden point during the round 20 NRL match between Penrith Panthers and Dolphins at BlueBet Stadium on July 21, 2024 in Penrith, Australia. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)

Pure clutch.

Nathan Cleary confirmed his status as the game’s greatest clutch player with a two-point field goal in golden point to sink a gallant Dolphins at Penrith Park on Sunday afternoon.

Cleary sent the 20,955 home fans into raptures with a 45m field goal that brought back memories of his two-point field goal against Parramatta last season.

It was a high-risk play, knowing a miss could’ve resulted in a seven-tackle set restart for the Dolphins.

“I just backed myself. It’s probably more instinct,” Cleary said.

“If you can get a shot and you know you can get the distance, you take it.

“On the third tackle I was thinking there was no way I was having a shot but Daine (Lawrie) and Matt Eisenhuth had two great carries and I knew I was going to have no pressure and the wind behind my back.”

The Panthers celebrate Nathan Cleary’s matchwinning field goal. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

Cleary wasn’t sure if the ball was going over moments after it left his right boot.

“I kicked it as sweet as I could and knew it was straight and as it was in the air (Mitch) Kenny turned around and started running at me and I was still watching it hoping it would get over,” Cleary said.

“When it went over it was pretty surreal and they’re the moments you play for. A lot of work goes into it.”

NATHAN CLEARY IS BACK!!!

His first game since round 10 and he wins the Panthers the game in Golden Point...🤯🤯🤯

📺 Watch #NRLPanthersDolphins on ch.502 or stream on Kayo: https://t.co/SMAo7duKuI
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🔢 MATCH CENTRE https://t.co/jyUhLWKEvjpic.twitter.com/dGLQBwrhWC

— Fox League (@FOXNRL) July 21, 2024

INEXPERIENCE HURTS

Moments before Cleary’s field goal heroics, 20-year-old Dolphins halfback Isaiya Katoa had the chance to win the game for his side but didn’t shoot for field goal in the final minutes when 15m out on an angle.

Coach Wayne Bennett said the young playmaker should’ve tried to ice the game in regulation time when the chance presented.

“We should’ve kicked the field goal a few minutes before (Cleary’s)” Bennett said.

“It was a moment. He’s got a lot of things on his mind.

“We had broken the line and had 12 men and it all happened pretty quickly but I’m not blaming him at all.”

Isaiya Katoa had a moment to win the game that he didn’t take. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

Naturally, the result wasn’t going to change Bennett’s mind about golden point.

Win or lose, he’s hated golden point since it was introduced in 2003.

Bennett felt his side didn’t deserve to walk away with no points despite blowing a 14-point lead.

“That’s why I dislike golden point,” Bennett said.

“I’ve never been a fan of it and never will be.

“We just played a quality football team who were going to keep playing until the end and that’s what they did.”

KICKERS TOO PROTECTED

The penalty that got the Dolphins in front by 14 points was laughable.

Protecting the kicker has got out of hand.

Mitch Kenny tackled Isaiya Katoa milliseconds after the ball left his boot and he was pinged for it.

It wasn’t late or high or dangerous in any way.

Isn’t it a contact game?

“I don’t reckon he could pull out of it there Kenny. He’s going at such pace. Surely you’re allowed to put pressure on the kickers,” Fox League’s Steve Roach said.

Nathan Cleary was the hero for Penrith. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

CAVALRY READY TO RETURN

Four of Penrith’s five State of Origin players will return next weekend against St George Illawarra.

Of the five Origin players out on Sunday, Penrith really missed Dylan Edwards.

The Panthers made several half breaks and players were looking to offload but there was no support.

It’s something Daine Laurie must improve with Edwards out for the next three matches.

Coach Ivan Cleary said jagging the win without their Origin stars was vitally important in the race for a top-two finish.

“We hadn’t really got it done this year without the Origin boys and I wanted to give them time off,” Cleary said.

“It wasn’t looking good halfway through the second half but to be able to get that win while giving the Origin boys a break, I was pretty happy with that decision.

“It gives a lot of the younger blokes a bit more belief and it thickens our squad up a bit.”

Originally published as NRL round 20: Penrith Panthers defeat Dolphins 28-26, Nathan Cleary returns from injury with match-winning field goal