- Panthers were unwavering favorites to beat Sydney Roosters
- They were stunned in a burnt 38-32 that could be upset of the year
- A moment showed why Cleary is still the main player
Sydney's roosters may have achieved an early contender for the discomfort of the season already, but Nathan Cleary showed why he still has ice running through his veins.
The roosters were $ 11 above Penrith's first clash at the Commbank stadium of his adoptive home on Friday night.
But the brave roosters, which are missing 788 NRL talent games through injuries and suspension about a gigantic player in the low season, found a way of prevailing 38-32 over all four times the reigning prime ministers.
The Panthers did their best to steal the victory of the jaws of the defeat and the late star of the roosters of the roosters, Salesi Foketi, gave them a chance, but the roosters remained firm.
However, there was a moment in the game that showed why Cleary is still the Iceman NRL.
Cleary has been called “The Iceman” by fans due to its composure under pressure, highlighted for its clutch performances in the last four great consecutive NRL finals.
Nathan Cleary was at his best composed moment for Penrith, but he couldn't direct his side to victory
A gallos fan tried to leave Cleary pulling garbage in front of him while he was shot in the goal
Cleary calmly moved the garbage and then ranked the conversion of the lateral line to help his team remain in the game
In the Grand Final of 2023, he took Penrith to a historic three -mob of three mobs with an impressive return to the end of the game, scoring or helping in his three final attempts.
He also won the Clive Churchill Medal twice (2021, 2023) to consolidate his reputation as one of the best players in the game.
Cleary showed why against the roosters, when a shameless fanatic threw some garbage in front of him while he was rowing for a clutch kick.
Despite the quiet, the Panthers Mediaback took a step forward, coincidentally moved the garbage, step back and then calmly passed his movements to place a very necessary goal from the left lateral line.
“Nothing phase to the goat,” a fan of Penrith published impressed.
“The ice man never bothered anyway,” added another.
'A fan could hit @_nathancleary with a brick and there was still a slot. Cabra, 'published another one.
Despite his son's efforts, Penrith coach Ivan Cleary felt the Panthers were not prepared for his first game in his adoptive stadium at home.
While it is only round 2, the victory of the roosters is already a contender for the discomfort of the season
The Panthers coach, Ivan Cleary, believes that the game was lost before the start when the Panthers look at a meeting of the Grand Final against Melbourne
“That game was lost before arriving here, I think, for any reason,” he said.
'We never got here thinking that we were going to be perfect and that is never something we talk about. Even in the first round we were not perfect at all.
'But there were enough players tonight that were not close to the best. Collectively, we do not play close to what we would like.
The Panthers began each of the previous two seasons with a 1-1 record before winning the prime minister.
The team memorably abandoned two of its first three games, plus the World Club Challenge, on its way to a third consecutive title in 2023.
Cleary is still calm before the rematch of the grand finale of next week against Melbourne, who will be fashionable that will come out of goodbye.
“Almost every year you will see changes in the performance of many teams at the beginning of the year,” he said.
'You'll see a good game and maybe it's not such a good game. That is quite normal. But it is not something you would accept.