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The Eels responded to level scores before Cleary slotted a field goal on the stroke of half time to take a one-point lead. The Eels snatched back the lead with a penalty goal but it was all Penrith from then as they ran in three tries in 10 minutes to seal the win. Fox League commentator Andrew Voss said the Panthers had “cruised to victory” and called Cleary’s return from a five-game ban “an absolute masterclass. ”It wasn’t all good news for the Panthers though with Taylan May suffering a hamstring injury late in the game. It was a night to forget for the young winger, who was also sin-binned for a high shot in the first half. CLEARY MAKES ‘STATEMENT’ IN ‘MASTERCLASS’ RETURNPenrith’s superstar playmaker Nathan Cleary silenced any concerns over his return from a five-game suspension with a pinpoint kicking game that won his side the game.
There were big question marks over how Cleary would fare given he’s spent so long on the sidelines, but the NSW Origin playmaker slotted back in seamlessly. Cleary’s bombs caused headaches for the Eels, while his short kicking game and passing game set up two crucial tries. “If anyone thought or doubted any rust in this gun halfback’s play in his return, zero chance tonight. He has been sensational, ” Fox League’s Cooper Cronk said. “For the last five weeks Nathan Cleary has been sharpening the sword in terms of his kicking game and it is reaping the rewards tonight.
Parramatta Eels on TV Guide - Live Sport on TV
“How do Parramatta, after they’ve done this year to get to fourth, bounce back from this? I think it’s very questionable if Parramatta can put three good games (together) after this game to win the comp. ”Steve ‘Blocker’ Roach added that “the other hard part” is “seeing how their playmaker Mitchell Moses recovers from that head knock. ”Moses suffered the knock in the second half while attempting to tackle Viliame Kikau.
Eels v Panthers - Round 20, 2022 - Match Centre - NRL.com