The Penrith Panthers are gearing up for another grand final after a solid win over the Cronulla Sharks. The Panthers secured their spot in the final with a 26-6 victory, marking their fifth consecutive grand final appearance. This win has fans buzzing with excitement as they look forward to the big game against the Melbourne Storm.
One of the key highlights of the match was the performance of Nathan Cleary. Despite a shoulder injury scare, Cleary played a crucial role in the Panthers’ victory. He managed to shake off the Sharks’ defense and set up a beautiful try for Brian To’o. However, Cleary’s shoulder injury remains a concern for the team. He was seen clutching his left shoulder late in the game, which has been a recurring issue for him this season.
Coach Ivan Cleary, Nathan’s father, expressed his worries about the state of the NRL’s video refereeing. He was particularly upset about a try that was denied due to a controversial obstruction ruling. This has raised concerns about the consistency of the refereeing as the Panthers head into the grand final.
The run of the Panthers into the grand final has been magnificent. They have never looked like being defeated this season, which continued with dominance over the Sharks. The team led 10-2 at halftime and just kept building in the second half. Sione Katoa was able to score for the Sharks, but the Panthers quickly responded with tries from Paul Alamoti and Liam Martin.
Looking ahead to the grand final, the Panthers will go up against the Melbourne Storm. This will be an important match for the two teams because this fixture pits last year’s grand final combatants against each other, which the Melbourne Storm won. Looking at it, the Panthers view this as a chance for revenge to be crowned a record fourth straight premiership.
But despite their winning run, there are a couple of concerns for the team in the lead-up to the big game. Aside from Nathan Cleary’s shoulder injury, hooker Mitch Kenny is also under scrutiny. He was placed on report for a high shot on Sharks prop Tom Hazleton. The Panthers need all hands on deck if they want to take on the Storm.
It will also be the last game for some of the key players of the Panthers, namely Jarome Luai, Sunia Turuva, and James Fisher-Harris to the Wests Tigers and Warriors respectively. That gives a sentimental touch to the game since that would be a memorable send-off for the players.
About The Author
