Penrith win 13th straight NRL match, Bulldogs have firm grasp on wooden spoon
The Penrith Panthers are an unstoppable force right now, and the NRL can thank an AFL superstar for helping add some polish to the kicking game of their superstar halfback Nathan Cleary.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Everyone will tell you this game was won on an AFL leap.
But in truth?
Well, apparently you can throw more than a little credit towards the kicking game of Richmond Tigers skipper Trent Cotchin.
On a night when Penrith earned far more than two competition points against a brave Parramatta outfit – think a home final, 13th straight win and club record eight straight at home – there was also a little more revealed about superstar No.7 Nathan Cleary.
Kayo is your ticket to the 2020 NRL Telstra Premiership. Every game of every round Live & On-Demand with no-ad breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >
Specifically, that his kicking in 2020 has benefited greatly from 2012 Brownlow medallist Cotchin.
Indeed, against the Eels Cleary not only kicked for the try that mattered – finished by a giant leap from backrower Liam Martin - but also earned a 40/20 and, more than once, launched the type of bombs that make even MacGyver sweat.
Currently pushing the likes of Cameron Smith and James Tedesco for the ‘Best Player in 2020’ tag, the performance also ensures Cleary remains in Dally M contention – despite giving up six points for early this year that TikTok saga.
Asked about his son’s kicking game in 2020, which sees him leading the NRL for 40/20s, Panthers coach Ivan Cleary said: “Nathan made a trip down to Richmond with our performance staff just after the Nines tournament.
“I know he had a conversation with Trent, who he gave him some tips. I think that might have helped. I know he got something out of it.”
While Cleary was again the yarn in this one, the other big stories were the number of tries Penrith bombed and an Eels outfit who defended like a guerilla army – yet still lost.
GUTSY EELS
How many repeat sets the Eels defended?
Hard to say.
But for a reference, think that cat in the ‘Hang In There’ posters.
Indeed, when it came to tackles made in the opposition 20, the Fox Sports Lab had Penrith up 57-6.
Which is some difference. Likely, the second most telling stat after the final scoreline of Panthers 20-2, as well.
“I thought our effort was outstanding,” coach Brad Arthur said afterwards, referencing the defensive crusade led by skipper Clint Gutherson. “But we had to make too many tackles.
“We had six tackles at their tryline. They had 50.
“But they earned the right to play there.”
Didn’t they what?
Yet in the first half alone, the Panthers bombed at least four tries – including Jerome Luai being held up, Moses Leota dropping the ball cold and young centre Stephen Crichton tossing a pass into touch.
Crichton was also controversially ruled to have knocked on a the tryline, while winger Brian To’o, who was outstanding, also went close to grounding a try.
THE LEAPER
But the biggest play of the night?
That went to Panthers backrower Martin, who scored with 14 minutes remaining after getting higher than Willie Nelson performing Seven Spanish Angels.
“Unbelievable,” Nathan Cleary said immediately after the game. “We all knew he had it in him. Liam played a little bit of AFL in his time, or so he tells us.”
Elsewhere for the home side, Api Koroisau and James Fisher-Harris were strong.
While at the back too, fullback Dylan Edwards and his wingers, To’o and Josh Mansour ran the Steeden from Penrith to, say, Bondi Junction.
Special mention too for Luai, that livewire Penrith No.6 who scored a try at the death and also threw a long ball for the Panthers first try, which took until seven seconds from the break to get.
* * * * * * * * * *
STAR SHINES ON A DOG OF A NIGHT
Kieran Foran’s halves replacement might be right under the noses of Canterbury and not 52 kilometres west at the foot of the mountains in Penrith.
The Bulldogs edged closer to their first wooden spoon since 2008 after a 32-20 loss to Manly Friday night but a bright spot in the proud club’s dire season has been Jake Averillo – and the promise he showed in the no. 6 jumper.
In his first game at five-eighth, Averillo took on the line deep and with pace.
It paid off almost immediately, putting rookie forward Matt Doorey over the line to open the scoring in the 6th minute.
With the injured Foran (pectoral) departing Belmore at the end of the year and Penrith’s Matt Burton emerging as a recruitment target, the Bulldogs’ halves make-up for season 2021 is far from settled.
Friday night was a chance for Averillo, who came through the ranks as a playmaker, to audition in front of incoming coach Trent Barrett for a spot in his preferred position at no. 6 jumper.
Averillo told The Daily Telegraph he has spoken to Barrett and expressed his intention on locking down a starting spot in the halves in season 2021.
“We’ve had a couple of chats, he was checking up on me … and I mentioned it to him,” Averrillo said.
“That’s my goal for next year, hopefully these last two games I can put in good performances and show Barrett I can play in that position. I’ll put my head down and work hard in the pre-season.
“I’m an eyes up player. I like to run the ball, my running game is my strength and I think I can provide a lot more for the team when I’m in the halves.”
Before Friday night, the 20-year old, who set-up Canterbury’s only other try, had played either off the bench or on the edge in season 2020.
CANTERBURY CRUMBLE
After bursting out of the blocks with two early tries, Canterbury’s will in defence uncharacteristically crumbled as the Sea Eagles piled on four unanswered tries. Veteran Manly halfback Daly Cherry-Evans was at his best and threatened to find a hole in the Bulldogs’ line nearly every time he ran the ball and on three occasions he did exactly that setting up tries for Curtis Sironen, Taniela Paseka and Jack Gosiewski. Friday night’s victory helped Des Hasler avoid seven straight losses for the first time as Manly coach in his 250th match in charge at the club.
MORGAN HARPER
Convinced he wasn’t part of their future plans, the Bulldogs let young Morgan Harper walk from the club mid-season … to join the Sea Eagles. The rising back in only his second game for the northern beaches club showed exactly why Des Hasler wanted to add him to his roster. After two tries last week, Harper showed explosive power and speed to burst through the defensive line of his former teammates to score a brilliant individual try in the 54th minute. But the four-pointer was only the icing on the cake, Harper also made 204 metres, had six tackle busts and two line breaks.
“He’s just a footy player, playing against your old club was a bit of added motivation for him. He played really well last week. He’s young. He’s got a bright future ahead of him,” coach Des Hasler said.
HOPOATE v HOPOATE
It was big brother versus little brother when Canterbury’s Will Hopoate took on his baby brother Manly’s prodigious outside back Albert Hopoate for the first time.
But it was the teenager who earned bragging rights.
Albert helped make a try saving tackle on Will, who was zeroing in on Manly’s tryline. Minutes later, Albert beat a tackle of four Canterbury defenders to get an offload away that led to a try to forward Curtis Sironen late in the first half, which levelled the scores at 10-all.
Brenda Hopoate refused to choose sides in the duel between her two sons. She cheered both on wearing a custom made jersey of the two jumpers stitched together right down the centre.