Penrith claw their way past Wests Tigers 28-14 to move into the top eight

NATHAN Cleary has helped Penrith to a 28-14 victory over his father’s Wests Tigers outfit that helps the Panther solidify their place in the top eight.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA — AUGUST 06: Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (R) of the Panthers celebrates with team mates after scoring a try during the round 22 NRL match between the Penrith Panthers and the Wests Tigers at Pepper Stadium on August 6, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

BY THE time you read this, Nathan Cleary will know the ramifications of his performance.

But Sunday night?

Apparently not.

Or so said his old man, the beaten Wests Tigers coach who, when asked about his boy booting a sideline conversion to ice this one — from in front of his coach’s box, no less — laughed: “He doesn’t understand the consequences of that just yet.”

So minutes later, we asked the kid himself if that were true?

“Ah, I think dad was a bit devastated about that one,’’ the Penrith No. 7 grinned.

And as for what reception he expects over the family breakfast table Monday morning?

“Dunno,’’ Cleary jnr continued. “But if it’s anything like other weeks, he’ll probably brush me and not talk for a while.”

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Regardless, the result stays the same.

Son of Ivan: One.

Ivan: Zip.

Up against his old man for the first time, rising Panthers playmaker Cleary earned opening points in a Family Feud that could potentially rage for years.

Despite being kept in decent check by an opposition coach who knows his game better than, well, anyone, the 19-year-old still had a hand in two tries, almost orchestrated as many more, kicked strongly, directed play and converted four of five goals — with his sole miss bouncing off an upright.

And all while dad Ivan watched on from the Tigers coaching box.

So a for how the old boy, who is still regular at most of his son’s NRL fixtures, found this particular afternoon?

Dallin Watene-Zelezniak scored two tries for the Panthers.

“Different,’’ he said. “Even the game seemed a bit strange at times.

“I’ve nearly really wanted him to miss a goal but I wanted him to miss a couple today.”

But as for now expecting a serve from his son?

“No,’’ he added quickly, “he’s not like that. Although he probably has already through the media ... and he can.”

Apart from playing a hand in two of the Panthers five tries, Cleary also came close to putting the home side in for a couple more.

Still, the Tigers had a far better crack at keeping him in check than many more higher placed rivals in recent weeks.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA — AUGUST 06: Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (R) of the Panthers celebrates with team mates after scoring a try during the round 22 NRL match between the Penrith Panthers and the Wests Tigers at Pepper Stadium on August 6, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

“We did put a lot of pressure on him which was good,’’ Cleary snr said afterwards. “Got a couple of results on last tackles through our defence.

“But I didn’t actually watch him that much. Normally I’d watch him closely, but I was focused on our boys.”

While the Tigers are now locked in a wooden spoon battle with Newcastle, the Panthers have finally shouldered their way inside the NRL top eight, pushing past a stumbling St George Illawarra.

And in no small part thanks to Cleary.

Asked how his young halfback handled the bizarre situation, coach Anthony Griffin shrugged: “Handled it well, like he handles everything”.

And as for a final thought from dad?

“Glad it’s over,’’ he grinned. “But I guess we’ll have to do it a couple more times yet.”

PENRITH 28 (D Watene-Zelezniak 2 D Edwards T May T Peachey tries N Cleary 4 goals) bt WESTS TIGERS 14 (D Nofoaluma 2 L Brooks tries T Lolohea goal) at Pepper Stadium. Referee: Gavin Badger, Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski. Crowd: 15,780.

Originally published as Penrith claw their way past Wests Tigers 28-14 to move into the top eight