Nathan Cleary showcased an exhilarating performance against the Brisbane Broncos, drawing parallels to his exceptional play in the 2023 grand final. The Panthers’ halfback delivered a standout display during Magic Round, earning a perfect rating of “10 out of 10” from Andrew Johns on Nine’s coverage.
The match commenced on a challenging note for Cleary, as he was outjumped by Ben Hunt, who scored the first try. However, Cleary quickly redeemed himself, executing a clever chip kick to Izack Tago, who crossed the line shortly after. Despite both teams trading penalty goals, Cleary made his mark with an impressive 40/20 kick in the 36th minute, enabling Luron Patea to score and shift the lead in favour of the Panthers.
In a moment reminiscent of his grand final brilliance, just before halftime, Cleary proved his agility. He received the ball as the first receiver, manipulated the defence of five Brisbane players, and skillfully stepped inside Adam Reynolds to score. This try was strikingly similar to his decisive score in the 2023 grand final, eliciting praise from commentators such as Johns and Billy Slater, who noted its identical nature.
Following the break, the Panthers surged ahead with a double from Thomas Jenkins, extending their lead to 32-8. Johns continued to laud Cleary’s contributions, highlighting his early aggression and impactful plays throughout the match. His performance served as a potential turning point for the Panthers in the season.
As both teams finished scoreless in the second half, the focus now shifts to whether the defending champions have returned to form. In the upcoming rounds, the Broncos will face Wayne Bennett’s Rabbitohs, while the Panthers will take on North Queensland, setting the stage for intense future clashes in the NRL.