Cleary guides Penrith to dominant victory

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Penrith Panthers v Brisbane Broncos

A superstar performance from Nathan Cleary has guided Penrith to a 34-12 win over a Broncos side who lost Reece Walsh to a facial injury in the opening minutes.

The match began with a frantic pace early and it was a superstar that got caught in the firing line. Walsh was aggressive into the line but collided heads with Taylan May and was forced to leave the field after 4 minutes and didn't return. To the shock of everyone at Penrith, the referee placed May on report for the contact and Kotoni Staggs added a penalty goal for an early 2-0 lead.

That was as close as the Broncos got in the first half, as Penrith very quickly put their opposition in a vice-like grip and kept them there for the remainder of the first half. Off the back of a six again, the Panthers camped down the Broncos end and it was the familiar combination of Isaah Yeo and Cleary who combined nicely. Cleary then provided a lovely pass to Sunia Turuva who dived across for the opening try of the contest after thirteen minutes to lead by two points.

For the second week in a row, Izack Tago found himself opposite a second-rower after the reshuffle which saw Brendan Piakura shift to the centres, and after going down the Brisbane left for the first try. The Panthers went back there again and Tago showcased his strength, power and speed to cross for the home side's second try crashing over the top of multiple defenders to score and lead 10-2.

Three minutes later, Mitch Kenny took a dart from a dummy half and fooled Billy Walters to crash over for a try. There was a suggestion of a double movement but the bunker confirmed it. Right on half-time, Cleary again showcased his masterful playmaking and delivered a magical short-ball to Tago to crash across in the shadows of half-time for a 22-2 lead.

The second half began just how the first ended. To start the second stanza, they go down the left edge this time and they expose Jordan Riki out of position this time and the quick hands of the "Head-Gear Trio" of Jarome Luai, May and Brian To'o combine to score first in the second half. Cleary was able to doink it off the posts for a 28-2 lead.

To'o quickly added a second when he received a magical pass from Luai and ran straight over the top of the much bigger Fletcher Baker to extend the margin out to 32. Brisbane got a reward when Selwyn Cobbo broke through on a monster kick return. They earned a set restart and worked the ball right with Cobbo injecting himself in the back-line and finding Deine Mariner who crossed to get Brisbane's first after 55 patient minutes.

Five minutes later, Ezra Mam sneaks down the sideline, passing it almost certainly forward to Piakura who broke down field before finding Jesse Arthars who bumped away from Dylan Edwards to cross for their second unanswered try, Staggs converted for some extra respectability on the score-board at 34-12.

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