Nathan Cleary nails late field goal to secure Penrith’s stunning 23-22 comeback win over Raiders
THEY always say backing up from State of Origin is the ultimate test of character. And Nathan Cleary has showed once again why he is such an undeniable talent in Penrith’s heart-stopping 23-22 win over Canberra.
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YOU wouldn’t blame Nathan Cleary if he was starting to get a big head.
But after nailing the match-winning field goal in Penrith’s gutsy 23-22 comeback win over Canberra - just two night’s after celebrating his State of Origin debut with a NSW victory - the unflappable 20-year-old instead offered an apology to his teammates.
For what Cleary claimed was a below par performance.
Seriously, how can you not love this kid?
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They always say backing up is the ultimate test of any Origin player’s commitment to his club.
And Friday night, in one of the most bizarre, controversial yet thrilling battles of this NRL season, when the Panthers led 8-0 early but trailed 20-10 leading into the final quarter, Cleary’s composure again shined through when his team needed him most.
While Tyrone Peachey finished with a double on the back of his Origin debut, and James Maloney landed some high pressure sideline conversions, it was Cleary who came up with the clutch moment match-with just one minute and 45 seconds left on the clock.
But rather than gloat in the glory, he typically down-played his overall performance.
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“Well, that is kind of my job,” Cleary said.
“The boys look to me to take that and I had to kind of get it.
“It was from in front.
“But I felt I owed the team.
“I did some terrible things tonight.
“I was just happy to knock it over at the end and get the win.”
But Ricky Stuart was anything but loving a question put to him post-match that this was another game the Raiders had “thrown away”.
“What? No we didn’t throw it away,” Stuart fumed.
“What do you mean by throwing it away.
“Christ.”
In fairness, despite losing more than their share of close contests this year, Friday night the Raiders showed a stack of resilience just to stay in the contest against the competition leaders.
Stuart pointed out they went into the game without Josh Hodgson, Joe Tapine and Junior Paulo, then lost Joey Leilua (concussion) in the second minute and later Jordan Rapana (hamstring) heading into the nail-biting final quarter.
On top of that Penrith had a phenomenal 85-15 per cent split of early possession - and there was some crucial calls that went against both teams throughout the match.
“We should have even been in the game with the statistics,” Stuart added.
“Have a look at the stats.
“We shouldn’t have even been that close.
“We should have won the match but no one threw the game away.
“Friggin’ hell.
“That was such a tough performance.
“I was so proud of the performance.
“They are leading the comp.
“No team scored a try against them the last two weeks … that was one of our best performances of the year playing against a team that is meant to be the best.
“If I walk off unhappy with that I shouldn’t be coaching.”
Also backing up from Origin, Maloney looked battered and bruised after the game but happy to take home the win.
“A few bumps and bruises but it is nice to get the win, that helps,” Maloney said.
“It wasn’t a pretty win but at the end of the day it is two points.”
Maloney said the team will take a lot of confidence out of the comeback win, and they now back up against the Sydney Roosters next Friday night.
It’s hard to believe just two years ago Cleary was on a $20,000 contract and playing under 20s before his meteoric rise took flight.
He had just one NSW Cup game on a wet and windy night at Belmore before he made his first grade debut in round 13, 2016 in the 24-6 loss to Melbourne.
How his world has changed since then.
While that game against the Storm was to be Jamie Soward’s final NRL game, Cleary has now formed a rock-solid combination with Maloney.
Back in Melbourne on Wednesday night, two years and a week after Cleary’s NRL debut, they celebrated and Origin victory together.
And after Friday night’s match-winning play, Cleary marveled at just how far his career has come.
“It’s a funny story,” Cleary smiled.
“I was speaking to Dad when I signed that contract and he said, Oh yeah, in 2019 when you are 21 that might be your chance to really push into first grade.
“Next thing you know I was playing first grade and to make my Origin debut at 20 years of age, honestly, it is a dream come true.
“Mate, honestly, it has been a massive … I can’t explain it.
“It has come that quickly and I am just so grateful.
“I am just riding the journey, and absolutely loving it.”
Meanwhile, the Panthers expect to lose young backrow sensation Viliame Kikau for between four and six weeks with a grade two medial ligament knee injury.
And Canberra’s Charlie Gubb will be in trouble for a dangerous legs tackle on Cleary while attempting a kick that was placed on report.
PENRITH 23 (T Peachey 2 D Whare tries J Maloney 5 goals N Cleary field goal) bt CANBERRA 22 (N Cotric J Rapana E Whitehead tries J Croker 5 goals) at GIO Stadium. Referee: Henry Perenara, Chris Butler.
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