NRL 2020: Nathan Cleary handcrafts perfect gift for Ivan Cleary for Father’s Day
Better teams have tried and failed so it was no surprise the Broncos couldn’t counter the brilliance of Nathan Cleary on Thursday night. Is the Panthers half now the top player in the game? VOTE NOW!
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Nathan Cleary could have opted for socks and undies.
Instead, the Penrith No.7 has gifted his old man a Fathers’ Day record.
Almost four years to the day since being punted by the Panthers, Ivan Cleary has racked up his 70th win as head coach – which according to the Fox Sports Laboratory, ties the legendary Royce Simmons for most ever.
Better, the win over Brisbane was orchestrated by son Nathan – who kicked for two tries, passed for a third, booted goals, a field goal, tackled strong and likely flew the team’s chartered jet home to Sydney afterwards.
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For those keeping count, it also gave the NRL competition leaders a club record 12th straight win.
Which continues some resurrection for Team Cleary – both the halfback who struggled to find points last year and the coach that GM Phil Gould, back in 2015, branded “too tired” to stay employed.
Which may have been right. All depends on who you talk to.
Regardless, the ongoing rise of father and son out west is now proving some story.
Same deal the return of No.9 Api Koroisau, who is doing plenty for both Clearys.
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Or five-eighth Jerome Luai, the young livewire who has been playing both with and against Nathan Cleary since his early teens.
Take, for example, his thwacking tryline tackle on Ben Te’o.
Or minutes later, when he took a long ball then shimmied outside, stepped infield, fended off Tom Dearden and, finally, passed wide to winger Josh Mansour for a try.
From the ensuing kick off too, also dived out over the sideline and batted the Steeden back into play, saving the Panthers from that cardinal sin of a changeover immediately after points.
Which isn’t to say this was 10/10 for Penrith.
But, geez, it was enough.
TOP PROP
What is it about hyphenated enforcers in rugby league?
First, there was Roosters prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves. Next up, Manly Sea Eagle Addin Fonua-Blake.
So what chance James Fisher-Harris could now be the smokey who claims 2020 Dally M Prop of the Year?
While the field is undeniably strong – with Canberra tough Josh Papalii somewhere on the podium too – there is now doubting this Panthers tough is having an incredible year.
Despite wearing No.13 in this one, the tattooed New Zealander was outstanding against Brisbane, making 22 tackles and running for 179m – which according to Fox Sports was the most of any forward on the field.
Better, he helped the Panthers to a 12th straight win.
The first time said record has been achieved since the 2016 Cronulla Sharks – who also finished the year with a title.
MASSIVE PAYNE
Payne Haas deserves a medal.
Or a bottle of Bundy Rum.
Something.
For in a year when Brisbane would be flat out winning even a church raffle, 20-year-old Haas continues to look every inch an NRL superstar, NSW Origin enforcer, all of it.
While the Broncos were outclassed basically everywhere, Haas still made two tackle busts, 40 tackles and ran for 158m – or the most of any forward who didn’t boast the acronym JFH.
Special mention too for Kotoni Staggs, whose fend on Mansour was proof enough of a player who deserves to be part of a better team that whatever it is these Bananabenders are dishing up.
Originally published as NRL 2020: Nathan Cleary handcrafts perfect gift for Ivan Cleary for Father’s Day