CLEARY MAGIC
MATCH-WINNING MOMENT PROVES PREMIERSHIP DEFENCE IS ON TRACK FULL COVERAGE INSIDE
Photo: NRL Photos.
the finalword
Seriously, just how good is Nathan Cleary? Sometimes we risk taking for granted the once-in-a-generation player we're watching dominate at the foot of the Mountains.
But his field goal in Golden Point against the Dolphins last weekend in his comeback game from a hamstring injury just proved not only how important he is to this Penrith team, but how much of a game-changer he is.
Another clutch moment in the bag.
And any Penrith fan nervous about this Premiership run ending at three – still an incredible achievement – perhaps let themselves dream of a fourth straight title after fulltime on Sunday, and deservedly so.
While Melbourne have one hand on the J.J. Giltinan Shield, Penrith appear on track to finish in the top two and importantly assure themselves of a second bite of the cherry and a home final.
To achieve that though, they definitely needed to win games like that against the Dolphins last Sunday, and the same goes for this weekend's match against St George-Illawarra in Wollongong.
The Dragons' Finals chances go on the line over the next fortnight with back-to-back matches against the Panthers and Storm. Should they somehow win both of them, Shane Flanagan will almost certainly guide his side to the post-season. Even one of the two, however, would be quite the achievement.
And the Dragons would rate themselves a shot at causing a boilover on Sunday, having already accounted for Penrith this season a –22-10 victory at the foot of the Mountains back in June.
Things are a little different now though, with four of Penrith's five Origin players back in the side this weekend. Only Dylan Edwards, who picked up a knee injury in last week's epic
decider, is still sidelined. After all the talk of the Origin period and the supposed drain it has on club football, the Panthers can now focus solely on the run to the Finals and the line-up this weekend certainly looks tougher and ready for such a journey.
One problem for Penrith is the depth in their outside backs, which is now being seriously tested. A broken arm has sidelined Paul Alamoti, who was only in the squad permanently following the departure of Taylan May. With Brian To'o back this weekend, Casey McLean now appears to have locked down a centre position for the time being.
Ivan Cleary would be determined for Penrith to improve their completion rate this weekend after they delivered a 76 per cent in that field against the Dolphins.
It was really only the experience of Cleary and the Dolphins not quite getting it right towards the end of regulation time that ensured the
Panthers could come back and win in Golden Point last weekend.
The Panthers will definitely have to be better against the Dragons, who have certainly proven themselves as a nuisance this season. Fresh from the bye and with the likes of Ben Hunt and Zac Lomax back on deck, they'll certainly make a fist of things. Their record at Wollongong this year is also very impressive.
St George-Illawarra will likely chance their arm and throw the ball around a fair bit here – in fact, they're fourth in the competition for offloads, proving a key component of their game has been keeping the ball alive.
I wouldn't be surprised if this was quite a high scoring game, not too dissimilar to the clash against the Dolphins. But there's one difference – I think the vast majority of the points will belong to the Panthers. I can't see the Dragons going with Cleary's men once they put the foot down. Tip: Panthers by 16.
GERARD SUTTON | BUNKER: KASEY BADGER
panther rumblings
FAMILY FOCUS FOR NSW BLUES
! Family matters: Blues coach Michael Maguire made a particular point of involving the families of players as much as he could during the camps and game days of the 2024 Origin series. It’s a blueprint used successfully by the Panthers at club level. Brian To’o’s young family was there cheering him on at Suncorp Stadium. His scrapbook just keeps getting bigger. Last Wednesday was a particularly special moment for the Panthers winger, who helped New South Wales to victory in the Origin decider against Queensland at the venue he popped the question to now-wife Moesha at back in 2021. Dylan Edwards was among those who had his kids present to see his man-of-the-match performance.
! Shield in town: The State of Origin shield visited Penrith last Sunday, with plenty of corporate-types getting a photo with the prized possession in the Chairman’s Lounge. It also made its way onto the field, where Panthers champion Royce Simmons took custody of it.
! Spotted: A master and the apprentice moment, with Panthers co-captain Nathan Cleary and Dolphins young gun (and Penrith junior) Isaiya Katoa catching up after last week’s clash at BlueBet Stadium.
! Hadley’s praise: 2GB broadcaster Ray Hadley has called plenty of great halfbacks during his career, but he’s singled out Nathan Cleary as one of the best ever. “There’s some great halfbacks I’ve seen over the years and Andrew Johns is the best I’ve seen. But this bloke, he’s almost Johns-like at the moment,” Hadley said after Cleary’s match-winning field goal over the Dolphins last Sunday. “He is one hell of a player and the mark of a great player is a bloke who can do things others can’t do and that’s what he does on a regular basis.”
! Quiet approach: Which high-profile Penrith executive has been sounded out by a rival NRL club? We don’t think they’re going anywhere.
! Membership office: I’m told the old Panther Shop in the foyer of Panthers Leagues Club will become a footy membership office in the coming weeks as the club prepares for a challenging period ahead of 2025.
With Penrith on the road next year while the stadium is redeveloped, there will be countless issues for the membership team to overcome. That’s why the decision has been made to relocate them from the Panthers Academy to a more public-facing space in the club.
Home grounds locked in: As had been reported widely previously, Penrith will play eight home games at CommBank Stadium in Parramatta next year while BlueBet Stadium is being redeveloped. The club made the formal announcement last week, confirming that their 2025 schedule will also include home games at Magic Round, in Las Vegas, and regionally in NSW at Mudgee and Bathurst. “CommBank Stadium offers an unparalleled rugby league experience with fans close to the action within an electrifying atmosphere, exceptional facilities, and premier corporate facilities. Playing at CommBank Stadium will open up substantial commercial opportunities, further cementing the Panthers’ status as a leading NRL club,” said Panthers Rugby League CEO, Matt Cameron.
! Edwards grounded: Panthers fullback Dylan Edwards picked up a knee injury in the Origin decider that will see him out for at least three weeks. Penrith won’t be taking any risks and while he may be ready for the Eels game on August 9, a more likely return is the blockbuster clash with Melbourne on Thursday, August 15.
! Spotted: Which Penrith lawyer happily handed over $10 to buy a beanie for the Panthers Foundation last Sunday, before quickly realising one of his main competitors’ logos was emblazoned across it?
feature LUAI READY FOR FINALS CHARGE
When Nathan Cleary hit his incredible 40-odd metre field goal to win the game for the Panthers in Golden Point last Sunday afternoon at BlueBet Stadium, his regular halves partner Jarome Luai was at his home in nearby South Penrith enjoying a barbeque with family.
With Penrith’s Origin contingent granted permission by coach Ivan Cleary to relax at home after a brutal Origin decider in Brisbane last week, Luai made the most of his day off by enjoying a snag on the barbie and switching on the Sunday footy.
“I thought the game was going to be pretty relaxing, but it ended up being pretty stressful with the comeback and that,” Luai told Extra Time
“It felt like I was missing out on the fun, but it was good to get a break from Iv, chill out with the kids, but you do get itchy feet pretty quickly.”
With only a handful of games remaining at BlueBet Stadium before its redevelopment, Luai said it was hard to miss a Panthers home game in the flesh – especially considering he was only a few kilometres away.
“You never want to miss too many games
especially at home when it’s sunny and the fans are roaring,” he said.
“Regardless of whether you’re out on the field, you still want to be there supporting the boys.
“It was a good, relaxing time with my family, but it will be even better to be back out there playing on Sunday.”
This weekend’s game against the Dragons down in Wollongong will be the first time since Round 10 that Luai and Cleary will play in the ‘6’ an ‘7’ jumpers together.
The 27-year-old said Cleary’s late game heroics against the Dolphins was incredibly inspiring.
“You still have to pinch yourself when it comes to how good of a player he is,” Luai said.
“To come back after 10 weeks and hit a 45-metre field goal to win a game is something pretty crazy!
“It’s great to have him back out there and we just had our first training session together. You could just feel his presence and what he brings to the team again.”
With the band back together – minus Dylan Edwards for a few weeks due to a bung knee –Penrith are primed to give the competition a real shake once again. While Luai admits his team is beatable, he and the Panthers will be making sure they do everything in their power to make sure that’s not the case.
“I think everyone is stoppable on their day but for us, on game day, we want to be the best we can be for 80 minutes,” he said.
“Back here training – back in black – is a great feeling for us and we’ll be bringing our confidence back from a good Origin win to the team as we start our Finals charge.”
Luai should be brimming with confidence after an outstanding Origin series for NSW. Earlier this week, it was announced that he picked up the ‘Player of the Decider’ award as
voted by the fans. It was a significant honour for the young father of three, who was dropped from the third Origin game last year.
“I woke up from my nap and seen the news – it was pretty cool to wake up to and I had to pinch myself and remind myself what it was like a year ago. I sort of changed a few things – my outlook on the game, how I could be better on and off the field – and it just goes to show that if you’re willing to work for it then good things will come,” Luai said.
Jarome Luai on Wednesday. Photo: Melinda Jane.
FOOTY CLUB
PENRITH KEEN FOR WOLLONGONG WIN
Ivan Cleary will be looking to get his first win down in Wollongong in a decade this Sunday afternoon when Penrith clash with St George-Illawarra at WIN Stadium.
Not since August 10, 2014, has a Panthers side coached by the three-time NRL Premiership winner notched up a win at one of the most picturesque stadiums in Australia.
Standing in the way of victory this Sunday is a well-rested Dragons side, who have already tasted victory against the Panthers once this season.
With Shane Flanagan’s men sitting in 15th position, fighting to keep their season alive, it makes this Round 21 fixture even more precarious for the Panthers.
“They are dangerous at the best of times but even more so down there,” Cleary told Extra Time on Wednesday.
“They’ve had some really good moments this year. They are a big, physical side with some pretty good players that steer them around too.
“It’s certainly a challenge coming off the bye, so they’ll be fresh and I’m sure they’ll greet us with plenty down there. It’ll be a good challenge and one we need to be right up for.”
Unlike in their previous encounter back in Round 13, Penrith will have a much stronger outfit on Sunday with four of their victorious NSW Blues players returning from Origin duty.
On top of that, Nathan Cleary will enjoy his first away trip since early May after recovering
from a hamstring injury last week. The two-time Clive Churchill Medal-winning halfback was phenomenal against the Dolphins last week, guiding Penrith to victory after being down 14 points midway through the second half.
Cleary said what his 26-year-old son did during Golden Point was simply remarkable.
“Nat’s in the elite half category and he’s experienced enough to have gone through many of those moments – good and bad – but the main point is, that he steps up all the time,” he said.
“I leave it up to Nathan (the decision to go for field goal). He said himself that partway through the set, he wasn’t going to go for it, but we got a couple of good play-the-balls and he saw the opportunity and took it – and that’s what you want.
“He does a lot of practice and that gives you the confidence that under the most pressure, he can back his practice and have a crack.”
Meanwhile, Cleary has given an update on two of his injured stars.
Centre Paul Alamoti broke his arm during Penrith’s win over the Dolphins, while fullback Dylan Edwards suffered a PCL injury during his Man of the Match performance in the Origin decider.
“Paul had surgery yesterday (Tuesday) and that went well. He’ll be back before the end of the year,” Cleary said.
“Dyl is currently wearing a knee brace, just to make sure he doesn’t do anymore damage. It’s not a long-term injury. He’ll be doing his best to get out there early, but we’ve got to look after him as well.”
Panthers coach Ivan Cleary addresses the media.
Photo: Melinda Jane.
NATHAN TAYLOR
panther memories
Penrith Park officially opened on April 23, 1967.
The official opening game was against the ferocious Dragons, a side that had won 11 straight premierships.
The Dragons were obviously the favourites, but Penrith were keen to commemorate the opening with a victory and ran out 24-12 winners. The day will be remembered sadly for St George fans, with the legendary Reg Gasnier suffering a broken leg early in the contest.
Coached by Leo Trevena, the Panthers scored four tries on the day through Russell Johnstone, Grahame Moran, Wayne Peckham and Maurie Raper.
The legendary John Raper scored, as did Brian Clay, while Graeme Langlands kicked three goals.
The crowd on that day was 12,201 and each one of them witnessed something very special in the history of not only the Panthers, but Penrith as a city.
Pictured is the winning team from that day.
The Western Weekender Penrith Panthers Player of the
competition runs throughout the season, with our four experts delivering a 3, 2, 1 rating for the best Panthers players from each Penrith game. The player with the most votes at the end of the season is crowned our Player of the Year.
CLEARY PROVES HE’S BEST IN NRL
It was one of those moments, Penrith had just levelled the scores 26-all with the Dolphins last Sunday. It was extra time and Penrith were 43 metres out and Nathan Cleary was positioned slightly to the right.
No one expected him to kick a field goal from there. Not even his teammates as they were about to make their run down field. The Dolphins’ defence came up, but they didn’t rush him. In that moment Cleary saw an opportunity and he took it.
As the ball sailed through the air every Panthers supporter held their breath. Then the crowd went nuts as they saw the ball go over the crossbar.
Two-point field goal – game, set and match.
Cometh the hour, Cometh the man.
Cleary was back and so were Penrith in a game they had no right to win, missing five Origin players and down 14 points early in the second half.
This is what makes Cleary the best player in the world. Remember he had been out for 10 weeks and instead of easing his way back in, he went full tilt. The Dolphins came out firing and set a blistering pace throughout the match. They ran at Cleary every opportunity they had in an effort to tire him
out and put him off his game. It almost worked . . . almost. It took one moment and the ‘Ice Man’ was back. Back in the winner’s circle, back in the headlines.
During his 10-week absence the media were already picking new halfbacks to promote as the greatest in the game.
Jahrome Hughes was hailed as the best half in the comp, Mitchell
Moses was the hero of NSW and then the headlines began. Does NSW even need Nathan Cleary anymore?
Not degrading those two amazing players in any way but it’s easy to make such statements when the best player and halfback in the game is sitting on the sidelines not playing.
‘Out of sight out, out of mind’ is
Cleary didn’t have the perfect game by any stretch. He looked out of sync on more than one occasion, especially at the start of the game. Hell, even his father said he looked “rusty”.
However the rust seemed to fall away the longer the game went and by the end, Cleary was polished and shiny once more. Four try conversions, two try assists, a penalty goal to tie the game, and then a clutch two-point field goal to win the match.
All in a day’s work, really.
There’s no doubt that there’s plenty of improvement left in Cleary’s game over the next seven weeks. More importantly he showed no ill effects from the hamstring injury which kept him off the field for so long. He’ll reunite with his regular halves partner Jarome Luai this weekend for ‘one last ride’ together. Once the two click again the Panthers will be difficult to stop. It’s hard to measure the importance of Cleary to the side, well no, that’s a lie, it isn’t really. If ‘Clez’ isn’t in the team, I don’t think Penrith can win a fourth consecutive premiership. You can have Jahrome Hughes, you can have Mitchell Moses. I’ll take Nathan Cleary every day of the week… and twice on Sunday!
Nathan Cleary sealing the win for Penrith. Photo: NRL Photos.
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