Want to know just how good the first half from Penrith was? Nathan Cleary says it’s “the best we have ever played”.
Coming from a team that has only lost 10 games in three years, the statement holds some weight. And nowhere was it more clear than in the first half, when Penrith held the Parramatta Eels to zero.
Cleary said it was a highlight of what is rapidly becoming a dynasty at the foot of the mountains.
“I think our first half was the best we have ever played,” he said. “I was thinking that today when I woke up. I thought we have put some really good seasons together but we have never really come off.
“That’s the best game we could play. I think the first half was just about that.”
Panthers second-rower Isaah Yeo echoed Cleary’s sentiments.
Ivan and Nathan Cleary embrace after clinching the premiership.Credit:Getty
“We feel like we are at the top of our game,” Yeo said. “Three back-to-back grand finals. I don’t think it has been done in the NRL era.”
Melbourne made three straight grand finals between 2016 and 2018 but only walked away with the one premiership. Their 2017 thrashing of North Queensland was sandwiched between losses to Cronulla and the Roosters respectively.
Parramatta fullback and captain Clint Gutherson, who scored the Eels’ first try, said they struggled to break through from early on in the game.
“Penrith was outstanding,” Gutherson said. “We gave them way too much ball there in the first half and we were finding it hard to get out of our own zone. Nathan Cleary was putting the ball wherever he wanted. Unfortunately we couldn’t get the result we wanted but credit to Penrith.”
Cleary said the atmosphere at the game was amazing. “Just the noise and the energy. It was pretty incredible,” he said. “It’s something I’m very blessed to be a part of.”
Penrith fullback Dylan Edwards, who smothered Eels’ winger Bailey Simonsson’s sprint down the wing towards the try-line, said hitting the history books was on the team’s mind.
“[Going down as one of the greats] is something we were striving for and we were lucky enough to achieve that,” Edwards said.
Nine commentator Andrew Johns said the Panthers’ performance was a testament to their prowess beyond this game.
“It is a reflection of not only tonight’s game and this season, but the last two years,” Johns said. “What they do so well is every player knows their role in this team. Every player knows their role in the system, and they get their role done.”
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