Panthers’ historic ‘rugby league perfection’ crushes Roosters, stuns NRL

The Penrith Panthers are two wins from a near unfathomable fourth straight premiership after reaching near perfection against the Roosters.

The Penrith Panthers are potentially 160 minute from a potential four-peat after dispatching the Roosters 30-10 in the first qualifying final.

In Nathan Cleary’s first match back from a shoulder injury, the halfback “kicked (the Roosters) to death” according to Fox League’s Michael Ennis.

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Cleary had two try assists and dominated with the boot, sending up bombs and forcing two drop outs as he gave the Roosters’ back three nightmares.

And best of all for Panthers fans, he came off with three minutes remaining seemingly unscathed.

It was a remarkable first half from the Panthers, who led 24-0 at the break in one of the best halfs of NRL finals football ever seen.

“As close to perfection as we’ve seen in a half of finals football,” Dan Ginnane said on Fox League. “This has been a cut above.”

Phil Gould tweeted: “It’s nearly rugby league perfection up to this point.”

Nathan Cleary’s shoulder is fine. Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

But matches aren’t decided in the first half with the Roosters responding out of the half-time break, scoring twice in eight minutes to have a sniff of chasing down the Panthers.

However, the Panthers are the best defensive team in the NRL for a reason and choked the Roosters out of the game, capping the result eight minutes from time after Luke Garner scored his second by diving on a Cleary grubber to wrap up the result.

Speaking after the match, Cleary said his should was no issue.

“It felt really good and I wouldn’t have come out here if I didn’t feel confident,” Cleary told Channel 9.

“It was mad aye, it’s the best fun out here especially at home. This crowd is just amazing and to top it off with a win is even sweeter.”

The Panthers will now get a week off before the preliminary final, while the Roosters will have to go the sudden death route, and will play the winner of the Bulldogs Vs Sea Eagles elimination final in next week’s semi-final.

Originally published as Panthers’ historic ‘rugby league perfection’ crushes Roosters, stuns NRL