Nathan Cleary masterclass puts Panthers in box seat
Ivan Cleary’s giant killers are the team to beat after another Nathan Cleary masterclass inspired a thrilling 29-28 victory over the Sydney Roosters.
Ivan Cleary’s giant killers are the team to beat for the NRL premiership after another masterclass from Penrith halfback Nathan Cleary inspired a thrilling 29-28 victory over reigning champions the Sydney Roosters.
In an astonishing and seesawing 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 scoring to narrow the gap to just a point leading to a desperate finish. But ultimately it was in vain.
“Heart was racing a bit for sure,” Ivan Cleary said of the frantic finish.
“It was one of those games where whoever had the momentum seemed to do well. Certainly happy to win though.”
In front of a delirious home crowd of 7209 at Penrith that cheered like it was a capacity, the Panthers left the Roosters’ hopes of a premiership three-peat on life support.
Trent Robinson’s team will now prepare to take on the winner of Saturday’s Canberra-Cronulla clash next week in a sudden death shootout.
Cleary has been the best player all season and on the opening night of the finals he didn’t disappoint.
The Panthers No 7 was absolutely brilliant, scoring a first half hat-trick, while also laying on another try, landing four goals and a late field goal for a personal tally of 21 points.
“It’s little details, competing and effort areas, he was good again tonight,” Cleary senior said.
“He’s seeing the game a bit better, the game has slowed down for him. He was certainly good tonight.”
But overall it was yet again another wonderful team effort.
While Cleary was the standout, his halves partner Jarome Luai was also outstanding, showing yet again why he is such a weapon.
Fullback Nathan Edwards was also terrific, as was young centre Stephen Crichton, but the Panthers had heroes all over the park.
The only concern coming out of the game 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.
Kikau has 30 carry-over points and will cop one game for a grade one charge.
Waerea-Hargreaves also could have a case to answer after being placed on report for a high shot on Edwards that could place him in danger for next weekend.
The Roosters got off to a flying start with tries to Josh Morris and Freddy Lussick inside the opening 10 minutes.
At that point it looked like the young Panthers were out of their depth.
But just when they looked shot, Cleary and Luai inspired a remarkable turnaround.
Josh Mansour touched down for the first and then came Cleary’s hat-trick.
Edwards laid on the first for Cleary. Soon after copping the high shot from Waerea-Hargreaves, Edwards made the big prop pay when he scooped up a stray ball that fell from Liam Martin’s grasp before sending Cleary crashing over.
Cleary’s desperation then got the better of Tedesco when chasing after a brilliant Luai grubber.
And to cap it off Cleary then finished off another superb left side raid after some more clever lead up play from Luai that opened up a chance for Crichton and Cleary, backing up on the inside, to finish it off.
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 last night 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.
The Daily Telegraph
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