Cleary sinks Dolphins in golden point; Raiders pile more misery on the Storm
Updated ,first published
Nathan Cleary has done it again.
The iceman scored in the 85th minute to give Penrith a thrilling 23-22 victory over the brave Dolphins and stay on the golden point.
The Panthers lost Mitch Kenny to a broken leg in Friday night’s match played in sweltering heat at Darwin’s TIO Stadium.
Cleary was their nemesis again in 2024, scoring a gold-point touchdown against the Dolphins for a 28-26 victory.
The Dolphins came back with a score of 18-0 in the first half, dominating their opponents and taking the lead 22-18.
Panthers winger Thomas Jenkins became the first player in championship history to score double points in seven consecutive games.
His second try in the 76th minute increased the score to 22-22, but Cleary was unable to convert on the edge.
Dolphins half Isaiya Katoa missed a long-range shot attempt in the 83rd minute, but Cleary missed a shot from the front right.
Kenny, who is in contention for the NSW No.9 jersey, was taken to hospital in the 18th minute after being injured in a hip drop tackle by sin-binding Dolphins five-eighth Kodi Nikorima.
The Panthers dominated the first half and looked steady with the rise of established stars such as Cleary, Dylan Edwards and Isaah Yeo.
Inspired by center Herbie Farnworth, the Dolphins came back with four tries in 15 minutes to take the lead.
The English national player made two steals in a one-on-one game; the second was by Panthers winger Brian To’o just before halftime, which changed the course of the game.
Farnworth made his way for an athletic trial.
Dazzling full-back Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow fired in his trademark long-range four-pointer and winger Selwyn Cobbo, who had a disastrous first-half performance, shot wide.
The Dolphins had turned the game around when center Jake Averillo lunged laterally.
The Dolphins’ defense has improved a lot since their 52-18 defeat before bidding farewell to Manly. The Panthers used the blowtorch at the beginning of the game.
Cleary stepped in and his trusted partner wreaking havoc, Edwards, who made the first pass to Cleary, stepped back to score.
The Panthers made the most of the extra man with Cleary sending on half partner Blaize Talagi.
The Dolphins had their chances but despite Farnworth’s best efforts, errors let them down.
Talagi placed a pinpoint bomb on try-scoring maestro Jenkins and the winger jumped high to score early on the break.
The second half was exciting thanks to the Dolphins’ attempt.
As he often did, Cleary had the last word.
Injuries to Papali’i and Timoko as Raiders make Storm even more miserable
Melbourne’s worst start to the NRL season under manager Craig Bellamy continued with a fifth consecutive 26-22 defeat to Canberra at GIO Stadium.
But with injuries to inspirational captain Josh Papali’i and center Matt Timoko, the Raiders may have to count the cost of victory.
Friday night’s result, which is off to its worst start to a season by six games since 2001, means the Storm (2-5) have lost five straight games for the first time since 2012.
Canberra center Simi Sasagi combined power and style to carry his side to victory, cutting in, scoring a try, producing a spectacular pass to set up Ethan Strange’s four-pointer and running 182 metres.
Despite winning their first game against Melbourne in the nation’s capital since 2016, the Storm were in danger of running out when full-back Nick Meaney crossed in the 75th minute.
But a desperate goal-line defense helped the Raiders reel off consecutive wins and a 3-4 win/loss record; They were on a four-game losing streak against South Sydney in the final round.
Sebastian Kris kept busy with 162 meters and seven tackles after moving to the wing, while Ethan Sanders assisted two tries.
Melbourne’s defense failed to recover despite coach Bellamy saying they “needed to go to the bar” after losing 38-14 to the Warriors in the last round.
Full-back Sua Fa’alogo was productive (186m, two assists, one try), while Meaney scored two tries in his 100th game for the club.
Canberra started hot and drew first blood when they moved down the right and found Sasagi, before Horsburgh picked up a loose ball and wrestled it across the line to double the deficit moments later.
However, the momentum turned in the Storm’s favor when Horsburgh conceded the penalty after listening to the referee and Sualauvi also took the lead. Fa’alogo scored the goal.
Will Warbrick and Meaney combined for a tryfest to give the visitors a 16-12 lead.
After half-time, Sasagi made a tackle and after charging downfield, the center threw a stunning load at Strange, who jumped over him.
Timoko grabbed a four-point tally in the first game of the season before Sanders scored two penalty goals.
Fa’alogo broke through the Raiders’ defense and passed the ball to the onrushing Meaney to set up a thrilling finish, but the home side held on to win.
