After slow start, Cleary wizardry humbles Roosters

Nathan Cleary put on a masterclass as Penrith gave the Roosters a start and then a brutal beating at BlueBet Stadium on Friday night. 

Cleary scored a try off his own kick, dished out a pair of try assists, ran for 148 metres, busted two tackles and kicked seven from eight as the Panthers scored 38 unanswered points after falling behind early.  

Brian To’o snared two tries and passed 3000 running metres for the season in another non-stop display. 

Penrith overcame an uncharacteristically slow start to totally dominate the closing stages of the first half before heading into the sheds with a 22-12 lead. 

The Roosters burst out of the gates and surged to a 12-0 lead after just 14 minutes thanks to tries from Fletcher Baker, via a Joseph Suaalii assist, and dummy-half Adam Keighran. 

Cleary got his side back into the contest with an early kick for Stephen Crichton to touch down after Joey Manu dropped the kick-off before the match turned on its head with the sin-binning of Sio Siua Taukeiaho for high contact on Nathan Cleary 22 minutes into the contest. 

Riding 93 per cent possession for the rest of the half, the Panthers kicked away thanks to To’o’s double and had another try to Charlie Staines disallowed as Cleary and Luai put the Roosters under immense pressure, forcing six repeat sets.   

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