The Penrith Panthers secured a convincing 32-8 victory over the Brisbane Broncos in a crucial NRL match. Nathan Cleary's outstanding performance, including a 40/20 kick and several try assists, was pivotal to Penrith's success. Despite the Broncos' strong roster on paper, their inconsistency continues to be a concern.
Nathan Cleary: His exceptional play, including a 40/20, chip kicks resulting in tries, and overall game management, solidified Penrith's win. He received boos from the crowd before the game but silenced critics with his performance.
Dylan Edwards: His solid performance kept the debate surrounding his NSW No.1 jersey alive. Cleary praised Edwards' contributions, particularly his defensive efforts.
Adam Reynolds: Achieved a significant milestone, becoming the second-highest points scorer in NRL history.
The Broncos' defeat adds to their disappointing Magic Round, where all Queensland teams lost. Their inconsistency remains a major talking point, with questions surrounding the potential return of Ezra Mam to the NRL side. Conversely, the Panthers' victory reinforces their position as a premiership contender as long as Cleary remains fit.
The Panthers’ premiership hopes were on life support before they arrived in the Queensland capital after registering just two wins from their opening eight games.
But they survived a string of sets midway through the first half against the Broncos, then grew in confidence before Cleary inspired the 32-8 triumph.
Cleary kicked a 40/20 that led to a try for impressive young prop Luron Patea. He put through a lovely chip kick for Izack Tago to score. He even had a hand in Tom Jenkins first try early in the second half.
When Cleary’s face was beamed on the big screen before kick-off, a chorus of boos rung out around the ground.
At some stage on their way home on Sunday night, those Queenslanders in the stands would have realised the next time they see Cleary, it will be in the NSW sky blue for Origin I in a few weeks. Good luck with that one.
The Broncos’ defeat, for what it is worth, also completed an embarrassing Magic Round wipeout for the Queenslanders after the Titans, Cowboys and Dolphins also lost. Ditto, the womens’ Maroons Origin team.
Dylan Edwards kept the NSW No.1 debate alive with an excellent outing, while Blaize Talagi looks like he is settling into life in the halves along side the best player of the modern era.
Cleary said of Edwards and the debate about him potentially losing his NSW No.1 jersey to rival James Tedesco: “Dyl showed last year how good he is [on the Origin arena], and he showed it again today on a pretty big stage. It felt like he was everywhere tonight. There were times Adam Reynolds and Ben Hunt would put in early kicks, and Dyl would come out of nowhere and save the day. He was definitely at his best.”
The Broncos had no answers when trying to stop 27-year-old Cleary. Kotoni Staggs did his best to smash him into the turf with an excellent tackle in the first half, but Cleary dusted himself off and kept going.
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As long as Cleary stays fit, Penrith can never be written off.
The Broncos blew yet another chance to prove they are the real deal. On paper, they have one of the best teams in the premiership, but you never know what you are going to get. The big talking point at Red Hill this week will be whether to rush Ezra Mam back into the NRL side, or give him some time in reserve grade.
In a minor consolation for Reynolds, he moved to 2420 points, two clear of Canterbury legend Hazem El Masri, to become the second top points-scorer of all time behind Cameron Smith (2786).
Michael Chammas and Andrew “Joey” Johns dissect the upcoming NRL round, plus the latest footy news, results and analysis. Sign up for the Sin Bin newsletter.
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