After a season of comebacks, Penrith’s final fightback falls short

PENRITH have won on comeback games all season. It’s been their trademark. But at the end, when it really counted, when they really needed it, the Panthers fell just short.

Christian Chrichton (left) and Nathan Cleary of the Panthers react during the First Semi Final between the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks and the Penrith Panthers in Week 2 of the NRL Finals Series at Allianz Stadium in Sydney, Friday, September 14, 2018. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

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SO HERE comes Nathan Cleary.

Right now, chasing a rolling Steeden towards the in-goal and, by our count, the only person inside Allianz Stadium thinking try.

Yet the Penrith No.7, he’s no chance for that Tyrone Peachey grubber is he?

Surely not with the pill almost dead.

And Sharks fullback Valentine Holmes ... well, he’s standing over the top of it.

Truly, even the slightest touch with either boot and its gone.

Still, Cleary chases anyway.

Cleary scored a determined try to start the fightback. AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts.

For what are the Panthers in 2018 if not unpredictable?

When games seem lost, they’ve won them.

And when a top four placing seemed secure, they dropped out.

Hell, even Anthony Griffin had this mob sitting fifth -- and coming off an emphatic comeback win against Canberra -- when he was sacked.

An axing everyone heard was coming, and still couldn’t quite believe when it did.

At which point, the Panthers were supposed to come good.

Yet they went bad.

Not enough to miss the finals.

Nothing went right in the first half for Penrith. Picture by Brett Costello.

But as for them beating the Warriors in week one of the playoffs?

No chance.

So of course, they won. By 15 points.

And now up against a Sharks side with Paul Gallen, Luke Lewis and Wade Graham gone.

Which explains why James Maloney sat in a press conference and deadpanned: “I think there was more in this team.

“That’s disappointing.

“We could’ve, and probably should’ve ... been playing next week.”

But they aren’t.

Even though, with 20 minutes to play, Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan admitted his team was “ready to be knocked out”.

And Penrith rival Cam Ciraldo, he always felt his mob could win.

“And I’m very proud of this young group,” Maloney continued. “But while they’re young, they’re also very good ... we could’ve gone further.”

Cleary led the fightback. AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts.

None of which anyone is thinking eight minutes into the second half though as Penrith trail by 16 and Cleary chases, chases, chases ... and scores.

Huh?

Better, and within 20 minutes, the Panthers will have scored twice more.

At the break, we were asking where Penrith would’ve finished had Griffin not been sacked? Now, at 20-all with nine minutes to play we’re asking if it’s too late to vote Ciraldo Dally M Coach of the Year?

For in the first half, Penrith had around 40% possession. And completed at just 56%

Truly, FIFTY-SIX per cent.

That’s concerning if it’s your Tinder strikerate, let alone on a stats sheet for completions.

“And when you get the small things wrong at this time of year,” Maloney shrugged, “it’s curtains on your season.”

Still, even at the death, with the Panthers again trialling -- albeit by one -- they looked set to get home.

Storming back when Cleary gets a crack at one himself.

Bang in front.

Honestly, never had Penrith looked more certain all night.

And the kick ... it missed.

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