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NRL Finals 2020: He might not be the most skillful half-back in the league but Penrith’s Nathan Cleary is close to the toughest

Friday night may have been Nathan Cleary’s most complete performance of an exemplary season. The halfback’s toughness and willingness to put his body on the line typified a resilient Penrith. And it’s the only way he knows.

James Tedesco of the Roosters dejected during the NRL Qualifying Final match between the Penrith Panthers and the Sydney Roosters at Panthers Stadium.
James Tedesco of the Roosters dejected during the NRL Qualifying Final match between the Penrith Panthers and the Sydney Roosters at Panthers Stadium.

Nathan Cleary himself admits he might not be the most skillful halfback in the NRL, but the Panthers talisman is among the toughest — and that might be what makes him the best.

Fresh off one of the best performances of his NRL career, Cleary scored three tries and kicked four goals and a field goal for a personal haul of 21 points in Penrith’s 29-28 win over the Roosters on Friday.

In a crowded field, it might be the most complete performance of an exemplary season for the Panthers halfback but his willingness to put his body on the line - most notably when he showed great courage to collect a Jarome Luai kick for his second try of the night - that stood out the most.

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Nathan Cleary scores one of his three tries in the win over the Roosters. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
Nathan Cleary scores one of his three tries in the win over the Roosters. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

PLAYER RATINGS: CLEARY’S FINALS MASTERCLASS

“I have to do those things, I don’t have the flash of other players so I kind of base my game around stuff like that, effort plays,” Cleary said.

“I just saw the ball and went for it, there was no second-guessing. I was just lucky, it was a beautiful kick from Romey.

“Dad’s always instilled that in me, trying to be tough and doing effort plays like that.

“I’m lucky enough to be in my fifth season of first grade now and you just pick those things up, finals games are kind of won on games like that.”

The battle-hardened Panthers will now enjoy a week off ahead of their first preliminary final since 2014.

Penrith have now moved into outright premiership favouritism and the title may well be theirs to lose.

“There’s so much we can work on, that’s the exciting thing,” Cleary said.

“We’re stoked to get the week off, there’s a lot of boys carrying niggles after playing so many games in a row. There’s a lot to get better at.”

The Panthers showed plenty of resilience as a whole after they rebounded from an early 10-0 deficit to the two-time defending premiers.

Much had been made of the finals inexperience of the Panthers, but they showed maturity beyond their years to stick to their guns and fight their way back into the contest.

Jarome Luai played a role in four of Penrith’s five tries. Picture: Brett Costello
Jarome Luai played a role in four of Penrith’s five tries. Picture: Brett Costello

“We were in the exact same position when we versed them in Round 1, so that was the chat going around,” Cleary said.

“It’s amazing to play in a team like that with resilience, especially with our finals experience - we don’t have much, we could have shut up shop and just been rattled by the occasion.

“I’m very grateful to be part of a team like this, with the resilience they showed.”

That resilience, along with Cleary’s combination with Luai was the difference between the two sides.

The Panthers double act has fast become one of the deadliest halves duos in the competition.

Luai played a role in four of Penrith’s five tries and is close to the most improved player in the NRL in 2020.

“I was just in the right spot in the right time - but that’s what it’s like playing in a team like this, there’s so much strike across the park you have to be ready to go at any time,” Cleary said. “There’s a lot of magic going on out there and I was just lucky enough to be on the end of it.”

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Panthers come of age but don’t count out Roosters yet

- Paul Crawley

Now that’s a game of rugby league. That’s how you kick off a final series.

Take a bow you Sydney Roosters.

That was pure guts.

Rugby league teams don’t come any braver.

But right now it’s Penrith’s time to shine.

Ivan Cleary’s giant killers of the 2020 NRL season have earned the right to be wearing the tag as the team to beat after another Nathan Cleary masterclass inspired a thrilling 29-28 victory over the reigning champs.

In an astonishing and see-sawing 80 minutes of frenetic football, the Panthers were down 10-0 early but charged to a 22-10 halftime lead.

They then looked home when they pushed further ahead to 28-10 early in the second half.

But like they have done so many times, the Roosters simply refused to surrender.

And they came charging back, with Josh Morris bagging a double, James Tedesco and Angus Crichton also scored to set up a desperate finish.

In the end it was only a Cleary field goal that separated two courageous teams.

James Tedesco and Luke Keary were gutted after the Roosters’ one-point loss to the Panthers.
James Tedesco and Luke Keary were gutted after the Roosters’ one-point loss to the Panthers.

Which is why Roosters coach Trent Robinson bristled post match when asked if that result made Penrith the best in the league.

“They beat us by a point,” Robinson said. “That is up to them to answer.

“This is what the finals series is about. It is not about answering it after the first semi final.

“We will find out in three weeks’ time who is the best.”

But what it does mean is that the Panthers now have a week off before they play in a preliminary final.

While the Roosters will play the winner of Saturday’s clash between Canberra and Cronulla next week in sudden death. But from what they showed to fight back like they did, you wouldn’t want to count them out just yet.

“Character gets exposed on the biggest stage and we didn’t win but our character stood up,” Robinson said. “So we need to get our execution and skill level to follow our character in that second half and we will be a much better team next week.”

Nathan Cleary scored a hat-trick in the first half and finished with 21 points for the match. Picture: Getty Images
Nathan Cleary scored a hat-trick in the first half and finished with 21 points for the match. Picture: Getty Images

CLEARY’S MASTERCLASS

In front of a delirious home crowd of 7209 at Penrith that cheered like it was a capacity, Cleary was absolutely brilliant.

He scored a first half hat-trick while also laying on another in the second half, landing four goals and a late field goal for a personal tally of 21 points.

But while the coach was understandably proud of his son, overall it was yet again another wonderful team effort that had Ivan smiling.

While the halfback was the standout, Jarome Luai was also outstanding, showing yet again why he is such an underrated weapon. Fullback Dylan Edwards was also terrific, as was young centre Stephen Crichton, and James Fisher-Harris and Isaah Yeo in the middle.

But across the park the Panthers had heroes.

“When the draw came out and we were playing the Roosters I felt like it was a good thing because we couldn’t have gone into a game any more confident,” Ivan said.

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Nathan Cleary (No.7) celebrates with teammates after scoring one of his three tries against the Roosters at Panthers Stadium.
Nathan Cleary (No.7) celebrates with teammates after scoring one of his three tries against the Roosters at Panthers Stadium.

“I always knew that regardless of the outcome we would get a lot out of this game and to win it obviously gives us a lot of confidence.”

The only concern for the Panthers was that Viliame Kikau will have a nervous wait ahead of the match review committee charges after a clumsy dangerous throw on Jared Waerea-Hargreaves.

Waerea-Hargreaves also could have a case to answer after being placed on report for a high shot on Edwards.

WOUNDED CHAMPS

It’s one of the oldest rules in spot. You never write off a champion. Not when they look beaten. Not when they are busted.

And don’t let anyone tell you differently.

No matter how wounded the Roosters look right now, they showed enough spirit and fight in the second half to suggest their season is not done yet. For the second week in a row the Roosters started fast but simply couldn’t keep up in the first half.

Boyd Cordner did his best to lift the Roosters. Picture: Brett Costello
Boyd Cordner did his best to lift the Roosters. Picture: Brett Costello

Whereas the Panthers looked fresh and full of running, the wounded champions were like an old prize fighter who just had nothing left to give.

But when they looked ready to be counted out, they climbed off the deck.

They showed incredible courage.

The Roosters should get co-captain Jake Friend back for next week.

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/teams/roosters/sydney-roosters-threepeat-on-ice-as-panthers-prevail/news-story/2a5cae20ba2043e0c397b4982e9c4827