Try time:Izack Tago finishes off Cleary’s masterpiece.Credit:Getty Images
“We practiced it once in the off-season,” the Panthers centre says. “So,happy it came off. There’s a few cues that we look at,depending on what the defence does. So,it’s more up to them[opponents],and both of us just looking up and seeing that.
“[We] don’t really have to say anything,we’re just looking up at what they’re doing.
“I’ve got to give the credit to ‘Clez’[Nathan Cleary]. The kick,and the chase,to be honest,was well-timed and perfectly dropped,so he’s put it on a platter for me.”
By full-time,Cleary,Yeo and Penrith’s indefatigable Liam Martin had led the Panthers home against one of their most prominent premiership threats.
Brian To’o (hamstring) watched from the sidelines,as did winger Casey McLean for all but three minutes after being ruled out by a HIA.
Cleary wore a heavy shot from Sharks back-rower Briton Nikora,but after a couple of minutes to check all his ribs were still there,recovered to throw the critical pass for a Daine Laurie try.
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With a two-point game and 12 minutes to play,Penrith and Cronulla both had their chances at landing the knock-out blow.
When the Panthers lined up a 75th minute scrum play that caught Sharks winger Sam Stonestreet at marker 30 metres from his sideline,Cleary isolated Nicho Hynes at centre and Laurie was diving over for the match-winner a moment later.
Just has been the case for the past four seasons,no-one nails the big moments better than Cleary and co.
The Herald’s travel expenses to Las Vegas have been partly funded by the NRL.
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