Superstar on Panthers has confilm death today on a…
Nathan Cleary has put the Melbourne Storm on notice with a clinical display in his first game back alongside halves partner Jarome Luai since round 10. The two-time Dally M medallist scored three tries and set up two more to lift Penrith to a dominant 46-10 win over St George Illawarra, in a display that showcased the Panthers’ premiership credentials.
Cleary’s clinic helped the visitors stay within four points of Melbourne at the top of the table and left the Dragons out of the eight for at least another week. And with the Panthers’ preferred halves pairing purring again, it was clear runaway leaders Melbourne have some serious competition for the 2024 NRL premiership.
The Panthers are gearing up for a shot at a historic fourth straight premiership. And while the conventional thought throughout this season was that Penrith had to be the favourites to take it out again, Melbourne have been the standout performers this year. However, even without Cleary, the Panthers have been a constant in the NRL top four and with their star playmaker returning it’s clear they are the team to beat yet again.
On Sunday, Cleary was at the centre of everything good for the Panthers. After kicking a golden-point field goal on return from a hamstring injury against the Dolphins, with Luai back by his side, he and Penrith looked a tier above the rest.
