NRL 2020: NRL reacts to Penrith Panthers’ eighth straight win against the Canberra Raiders

The Panthers were flying but Penrith coach Ivan Cleary has taken a swipe at officials despite a stunning club record-equalling performance.

A lot of love out west.

The Penrith Panthers have once again stunned the NRL with a stunning performance against the Canberra Raiders at Panthers Stadium.

While the injury-hit Raiders have been one of the league’s gutsiest teams, the side had no answers for the relentless Panthers, who ran out to 24-0 at halftime.

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The Raiders scored two second half tries to none, but the damage was already done with the Panthers winning 28-12.

But more important than the result was the way the Panthers won.

After being favourites to go deep in the competition for several years now, the 2020 Panthers appear to be the real deal.

The Panthers’ win was the club’s record-equalling eighth straight win, matching the mark they made between April 19 and June 7 2003, the last season the club won the premiership.

But coach Ivan Cleary wasn’t thrilled with everything, taking a swipe at the referees after being asked about the “dodgy calls” in the second half.

Ivan Cleary took a swipe at the referees after some "strange calls".

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Two moments were mentioned with Jordan Rapana pushed into touch, which went upstairs as a captain’s challenge over when he released the ball, but came back as a penalty to the Raiders for a second effort, as well a Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad’s first try where it was awarded as there wasn’t enough evidence to overturn the referees call on the field.

“It felt like they were being managed back into the game,” Cleary said.

“That’s all I can say, some really strange calls. But I guess it gave us the chance to continue throughout the 80 minutes, which we had to and in the end, that will only serve us down the track.”

Cronk said Cleary might regret using the word “managed” but it was the “culmination of a few of these events happening at 24-0 and the Raiders getting back into the game”.

Coming up against the Raiders, who knocked off the Sydney Roosters three weeks ago, it seemed like the Panthers might have a tougher time, but it wasn’t to be with the Panthers playing a perfect first half.

The Panthers turned it on against the Raiders.

Social media was stunned by the performance as they made the Raiders look worse than they were in the clash.

Former Panthers great Ryan Girdler tweeted at the break that it was the “Best half of football I have seen by a Penrith side Ever! Wow”.

Goodness, this Penrith side!

Canberra far from terrible, staring at a 24-0 scoreline as they walk into the sheds at HT... 😬#NRLPanthersRaiders

— Brett McKay (@BMcSport) August 8, 2020

Penrith, that first half was simply the best 🏉🔥🐾 #NRLpanthersraiders pic.twitter.com/sZzFK7wvaC

— James Smith (@JamesSmith1001) August 8, 2020

Most complete opening half we have seen for some time #nrlpanthersraiders

— Michael Carayannis (@MCarayannis) August 8, 2020

While the Raiders hit back in the second half, the Panthers just rolled on to another victory.

And coming up against the 11th placed Warriors next Friday, the Panthers should claim a club record nine straight win as the side march towards the minor premiership for the first time since 2003.

“It was slick, it was fast, it was precise and they just continue to roll on at the top of the competition,” Michael Ennis said post game. “Some of the guys without a doubt in career best form.”

The Panthers have only lost one game this season to the Eels in round 5 along with a draw against the Knights in round three.

Rugby league Immortal Mal Meninga said, “This is the start for the Panthers”.

“I just think they’ve been building, a lot of young kids, a lot of cohesion around Nathan Cleary, Jerome Luai, Stephen Crichton. Korosaui has been the glue a little bit, 50 tackles tonight, that’s extraordinary. And set up a couple of tries, makes the right decision at the right time. They’re a complete footy team at the moment but I think they can get better.”

Josh Mansour with the Lebanon flag around his neck.

Panthers winger Josh Mansour, who was draped in a Lebanese flag after the blast in Beirut during the week said “I’ve been here nine years and I think it’s the strongest bond I’ve been involved with the players and the staff, so hopefully we can make something special this year”.

Raiders coach Ricky Stuart was short in his post-match press conference after the tough loss.

said he was “disappointed with how the first 25 minutes panned out — we’re better than that”.