Cleary sinks Dolphins in golden point; Raiders pile more misery on the Storm
Updated ,first published
Nathan Cleary has done it again.
The ice man nailed an 85th-minute field goal to clinch Penrith a thrilling 23-22 win over the gallant Dolphins in golden point.
The Panthers lost Mitch Kenny to a broken leg in a sour note to Friday night’s match at Darwin’s TIO Stadium in oppressive heat.
Cleary landed a golden-point field goal in 2024 against the Dolphins to secure a 28-26 win and he was their nemesis again.
The Dolphins came back from an 18-0 deficit at halftime to rock the competition leaders and lead 22-18.
Panthers winger Thomas Jenkins became the first player in premiership history to score try doubles in seven straight games.
His second try in the 76th minute levelled it up at 22-22, but Cleary was unable to land the sideline conversion.
Dolphins half Isaiya Katoa missed a long-range 83rd minute field-goal attempt, but Cleary did not miss his from right in front.
Kenny, who was in contention for the NSW No.9 jersey, was taken to hospital in the 18th minute after he was injured in a hip-drop tackle by Dolphins five-eighth Kodi Nikorima, who was sin-binned.
The Panthers dominated the first half, with big-name stars Cleary, Dylan Edwards and Isaah Yeo in the ascendancy and they appeared to be cruising.
The Dolphins, inspired by centre Herbie Farnworth, rocketed back into it with four tries in 15 minutes to take the lead.
The England international conjured up two one-on-one ball steals, the second on Panther winger Brian To’o after the break, which turned the game.
Farnworth weaved his way over for an athletic try.
Dazzling fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow notched a trademark long-range four-pointer, and winger Selwyn Cobbo, who had a wretched first half, bullocked over out wide.
When centre Jake Averillo sliced over, the Dolphins had turned the game on its head.
The defence of the Dolphins was much improved on their 52-18 loss to Manly before they had a bye. The Panthers applied the blowtorch early in the match.
Cleary sliced through and his reliable partner in havoc Edwards, who threw Cleary the initial pass, backed up to score.
The Panthers made the most of the extra man, with Cleary sending halves partner Blaize Talagi over.
The Dolphins had their chances but errors let them down, despite the best efforts of Farnworth.
Talagi set up try-scoring whiz Jenkins with a pinpoint bomb that the winger leapt high to snaffle and score on the cusp of halftime.
The second half was a humdinger, thanks to the Dolphins’ enterprise.
Cleary had the final say, as he so often does.
Injuries to Papali’i, Timoko as Raiders pile more misery on the Storm
Melbourne’s worst start to an NRL season under coach Craig Bellamy has continued as they suffered a fifth-straight defeat, a 26-22 loss to Canberra at GIO Stadium.
But the Raiders may have to count the cost of the victory, after inspirational captain Josh Papali’i and centre Matt Timoko picked up injuries.
Experiencing their equal-worst start to a campaign through six games since 2001, Friday night’s result means the Storm (2-5) have lost five games in a row for the first time since 2012.
Canberra centre Simi Sasagi mixed style with substance to power his side to victory, taking intercepts, scoring a try, producing an extraordinary pass to set up an Ethan Strange four-pointer and running for 182 metres.
Despite winning their first match against Melbourne in the nation’s capital since 2016, the Storm threatened a boilover when fullback Nick Meaney crossed in the 75th minute.
But some desperate goal-line defence helped the Raiders to consecutive wins and improve to a 3-4 win/loss record, having gone into last round’s clash against South Sydney on a four-match losing streak.
After being moved onto the wing, Sebastian Kris was busy with 162 metres and seven tackle busts, while Ethan Sanders posted two try assists.
Melbourne’s defence couldn’t snap into shape even after coach Bellamy said they should have “gone to the pub” after losing 38-14 to the Warriors last round.
Fullback Sua Fa’alogo was productive (186m, two try assists, one try), while Meaney registered two tries in his 100th game for the club.
Canberra started hot and drew first blood when they moved right and found Sasagi, before Horsburgh scooped up a loose ball and wrestled over the line to double the deficit moments later.
But the momentum swung back in the Storm’s favour when Horsburgh conceded a penalty after giving the referee an earful, and Sualauvi Fa’alogo scored.
Will Warbrick and Meaney joined in on the try fest to give the visitors a 16-12 lead.
After half-time, Sasagi took an intercept and stormed downfield before the centre threw a stunning offload to Strange, who dived over.
Timoko grabbed a four-pointer in his first game of the season before Sanders slotted two penalty goals.
Fa’alogo tore through the Raiders’ defence before handing it off to a running Meaney to set up a thrilling finish, but the hosts held on for the win.