Nathan Cleary sets new record as Panthers pounce-back
Nathan Cleary of the Panthers breaks the all-time Penrith points record.
NRL superstar Nathan Cleary has broken yet another record becoming the highest ever point scorer for the Penrith Panthers.
The 27-year-old Panthers halfback overtook Ryan Girdler’s record of 1,572 points when converting the Panther’s second goal against the Sydney Roosters at Allianz stadium in Sydney on Saturday night.
Girdler, a dynamic centre and goal-kicker, who represented New South Wales and Australia, held the record since 2004.
Ryan reached the figure in 204 games over 11 seasons with the western Sydney club.
Cleary has achieved the feat in 178 appearances for the Panthers.
“It’s pretty cool I guess,” Cleary told Fox Sports on Saturday.
The Panthers return to the winning circle in a solid 40-12 performance over the Roosters.
Fox Sports commentator Kevin Walters said during the broadcast: “They are back.”
“The Panthers have sent out a message to everyone out there, that we are back.”
“The confidence has come back to them now – they’ve found their groove,” said the rugby league legend.
The victory couldn’t come soon enough for the reigning premiers, losing the last five straight games.
There was not much between the two sides in the first half, gridlocked at six-all after 38 minutes.
A try to Penrith on the stroke of half time gave the Panthers the edge, and they never looked back.
“It’s great to see all the hard work we put in the first half, pay off in the second half,” said Panthers coach Ivan Cleary post-game.
The four-time premiership winning coach told Fox Sports he needed his leaders to stand up in a team lacking experience.
“We got some young guys out there who are pretty inexperienced… who sort of have to carry a legacy that they certainly didn’t make, and certainty the last five weeks has been hard on those guys,” said Cleary.
“I think the boys found that rhythm and remembered what it’s like to win,” he said.
The Panthers stormed back to winning ways with a resounding 40-12 win over Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium on Saturday.
A record-breaking Nathan Cleary led the Panthers to victory, as a 14-point haul saw him surpass Ryan Girdler as the greatest point scorer in Panthers history.
Paul Alamoti scored twice to put the Panthers ahead at half-time, with Cleary converting both to break the club’s point-scoring record.
Isaiah Papali’i and Blaize Talagi each crossed for their first try in Penrith colours to put the Panthers in a commanding position, before Dylan Edwards and Casey McLean capped off a fantastic win.
A slow Panthers start saw the Roosters open the scoring through Daniel Tupou and take a 6-0 lead they held for much of the first half.
Led by Cleary’s kicking and control, the Panthers fought their way back into the contest and ended up taking a 12-6 lead before half-time.
Paul Alamoti scored two near-identical tries in the 23rd and 39th minute, finishing off a pair of backline moves orchestrated by Cleary and Edwards.
Cleary converted both tries to reach 1,573 career points, overtaking Ryan Girdler’s record as the Panthers greatest point scorer of all time.
A penalty goal early in the second half extended the lead, before Isaiah Papali’i pounced on a Mitch Kenny grubber to score his first Penrith try and put the Panthers ahead 20-6.
The Roosters pulled one back as Robert Toia scored from a clever scrum play, but the Panthers finished with a wet sail and coasted to victory.
An improvised Isaah Yeo grubber led to young half Blaize Talagi scoring his first try for the Panthers, putting Penrith on the cusp of victory.
The Panthers best try of the night came in the 66th minute when a quick shift and silky Scott Sorensen flick pass sent Dylan Edwards over for a spectacular, and well-deserved, four-pointer.
Casey McLean capped off the Panthers night when he carved through the Roosters right edge, as Cleary ended the night with seven conversions from seven attempts.
The Panthers broke the 40-point barrier on the stroke of full-time when Paul Alamoti landed a long-range penalty goal, rounding out a sweet victory for Penrith.
The Panthers return to CommBank Stadium in ANZAC Round, facing Manly Sea Eagles on Saturday 26 April.