Penrith v Parramatta NRL semi-final player ratings: Who starred, who flopped and every player rated

In a pack suddenly full of question marks, the Panthers should be grateful for a valuable piece of late business. Michael Carayannis rates every player from Saturday’s NRL semi-final. Plus, have your say.

MACKAY, AUSTRALIA – SEPTEMBER 18: Tevita Pangai Junior of the Panthers exchanges heated words with Will Smith and Isaiah Papali'i of the Eels during the NRL semi-final match between the Penrith Panthers and the Parramatta Eels at BB Print Stadium on September 18, 2021 in Mackay, Australia. (Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images)

A Nathan Cleary kicking masterclass and a relentless defensive performance willed Penrith Panthers a step closer to the NRL premiership.

Parramatta threw everything at the Panthers, only to fall short in one of the games of the season.

While there were plenty of strong performers on both sides, not every player excelled on the semi-final stage.

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Tevita Pangai Jr showed just why the Panthers recruited him mid-season from Brisbane with a huge performance, while Clint Gutherson was enormous for the Eels in a losing team.

Michael Carayannis has turned the heat on a couple of Penrith players who will need to improve in next weekend’s preliminary final against Melbourne.

He also wonders why one of the Eels was “strangely used”, including playing no part in a second half where no points were scored as the game finished 8-6.

Check out the full player ratings below.

Originally published as Penrith v Parramatta NRL semi-final player ratings: Who starred, who flopped and every player rated