The quest for 5 is alive.
A group that redefined what is feasible within the wage cap period now has an opportunity to create additional historical past. Never earlier than has a group come from outdoors the highest 4 to win the grand last throughout the NRL period, however there seem no limits for this Penrith outfit.
This last sequence was meant to mark a altering of the guard, however the Panthers’ 24-8 away win towards a gallant Warriors facet may end in extra of the identical after organising a blockbusting all-Sydney last towards a battered Bulldogs at Accor Stadium subsequent weekend.
Once once more, the distinction on the pointy finish of the season was Nathan Cleary. In a sport that smacked of ambush – a despised underdog, a slippery Go Media Stadium floor and a baying crowd – the champion halfback kicked the opposition to dying.
Given the situations, the kicking sport was all the time going to be decisive. So it was a shock that Isaah Yeo was one of many first to place boot to ball. But regular service quickly resumed.
Cleary kicked typically and early, typically as early because the third sort out. On 4 separate events, he earned his facet a repeat set. And on one of many few events the Warriors have been in a position to do likewise, Cleary earned the ball again together with his goal-line drop out.
Nathan Cleary converts Isaiah Papali’i’s strive.Credit: Getty Images
Perhaps his biggest trick, nonetheless, was the way in which he manufactured the opening strive. It got here within the final sort out, when he opted to cross and caught the Warriors, who have been anticipating a kick, off guard.
The Warriors wouldn’t go quietly. When Brad Schneider, a shock starter at hooker within the absence of Mitch Kenny, burrowed over early within the second half, it felt just like the Panthers would run away with it. Yet they didn’t go away, a attempt to the barnstorming Leka Halasima retaining the Warriors and their followers within the contest.
