Nathan Cleary Breaks Club Record as Panthers Roar Back to Life with Stunning 40-12 Rout of Roosters
For the first time since their grand final triumph last year, the Penrith Panthers finally claimed victory on Australian soil, injecting fresh hope into a title defence that has looked shaky for much of the season. On Saturday night at Allianz Stadium, the four-time defending premiers came alive, dismantling the Sydney Roosters 40-12 in a dominant performance that signaled a potential turning point for the struggling powerhouse.
The win marked the end of a five-game losing streak for Penrith, who hadn’t tasted success since their season-opening win over the Sharks in Las Vegas. With their campaign teetering and doubts beginning to creep in, this emphatic victory couldn’t have come at a better time. Head coach Ivan Cleary will be breathing a sigh of relief as his side finally found rhythm, especially during a blistering second half that saw them pile on four tries to blow the Roosters off the park.
Among the highlights were first-ever tries for new recruits Isaiah Papali’i and Blaize Talagi, both of whom impressed with their energy and impact. Their contributions helped the Panthers reassert their dominance and climb up the NRL ladder, while condemning the Parramatta Eels to the bottom of the table ahead of their Easter Monday clash with the Wests Tigers.
But perhaps the most significant moment of the night belonged to Nathan Cleary, who delivered a kicking masterclass and etched his name even deeper into club folklore. With his conversion of Paul Alamoti’s second try, Cleary surpassed club legend Ryan Girdler to become Penrith’s all-time leading point scorer. Now sitting on 1,573 points, he still trails Cameron Smith’s all-time NRL record of 2,786—but given Cleary’s consistency and hunger, few would bet against him one day reaching that mark.
As the State of Origin period looms—with Penrith expected to lose several key players—maintaining momentum will be Ivan Cleary’s biggest challenge. But if Saturday night is any indication, the Panthers may have rediscovered their bite just in time.
