NRL 2024: Penrith Panthers defeat Newcastle Knights 22-14, Nathan Cleary claims watch-winning try

A weekend of upsets looked like it could claim another victim until Nathan Cleary stepped up with the matchwinning try for the Penrith Panthers against the Newcastle Knights.

Panthers players celebrate a try scored by Casey McLean. Picture: Brett Hemmings/Getty Images

Spring is just a few weeks away, but the Iceman is showing no signs of melting after Nathan Cleary produced another moment of magic to keep Penrith’s minor premiership hopes alive with a 22-14 victory over the plucky Knights.

A weekend of upsets looked to have claimed another victim on Sunday afternoon with scores level approaching the final 10 minutes until Cleary did what he always does and won the game with a special play that only he could produce.

Having only had three runs up until that point, the star halfback took advantage of a quick play the ball as he sped towards the line, put on a step and fought through four would-be defenders to break the deadlock and Newcastle hearts.

He had no trouble slotting the conversion and then put the Panthers eight points clear when he was clipped high at the death to help the hosts escape with a narrow win.

“That’s what you want from your playmakers,” Ivan Cleary said, with rookie Isaiah Iongi coming up with some big plays on debut.

“We struggled to get much momentum at all today, but I thought we stuck at it and moved the ball when we could.

“That was a big play by Nat at that moment.”

Nathan Cleary was the difference-maker yet again for Penrith. Picture: Brett Hemmings/Getty Images

MAJOR IMPLICATIONS

The minor premiership race has taken a major twist with the Panthers now in control of their own destiny after they took advantage of Melbourne’s shock loss at home on Saturday night.

Starting the round down by four points, the three-time defending premiers are now just a win behind the ladder-leading Storm after they overcame a slow start to defeat the Knights.

The win sets up a mouthwatering showdown in two weeks between the top two teams which could decide who finishes the regular season on top, with Penrith boasting a superior for and against.

Isaiah Iongi made his Panthers debut. Picture: Brett Hemmings/Getty Images

HIGH DRAMA

Graham Annesley’s weekly briefing will be compulsory viewing after a couple of controversial high tackle calls in the second half.

Penrith looked to have opened up a 20-12 lead when Brian To’o scooped up an errant Kalyn Ponga pass to score, but the Bunker rightly intervened after the Knights fullback was whacked high by Izack Tago.

The contact looked forceful and worthy of a sin bin, but the Panthers centre was only placed on report as the Knights went downfield and then tied things up with a penalty goal on the back of another high shot.

There was another questionable call later in the half when Ponga was penalised for a high shot on Tago after he made a big break down the right, but replays showed the contact was nowhere near the head.

“I think I got him around the chest, but at the end of the day the referee made the call,” Ponga said.

The Panthers can also feel aggrieved after Tyson Frizell scored off what looked to be a forward pass.

Izack Tago scores a try. Picture: NRL Photos

OH BROTHER

It was a very different start to the afternoon for the Saifiti twins with Jacob suffering a calf injury in the warm-up just 10 minutes before kick-off which could rule him out for several weeks.

Losing the former State of Origin prop was a massive setback for the desperate Knights, but twin brother Daniel softened the blow when he crashed over to open the scoring after just six minutes to silence the crowd.

“It doesn’t look good,” Adam O’Brien said.

“He’s on crutches now so it’s not a good sign with a calf.”

FINALS FANTASY

The Knights will finish the round four points outside the top eight, but they’ll feel like this was the one that got away.

They had their chances on a gloomy afternoon in the golden west but will now likely need to win at least four of their final five matches to sneak into eighth spot.

The good news is they have a favourable draw with only one game remaining against teams currently in the top eight, but they must decide during the week who their halves will be for the rest of the season.