Panthers thrash Bulldogs on Cleary’s NRL return

Jasper Bruce | July 23, 2023

Penrith have celebrated Nathan Cleary’s return from injury by comfortably defeating NRL battlers Canterbury 44-18.

The victory reinstates the reigning premiers atop the NRL ladder and continues the Bulldogs’ run of dreadful defensive performances. 

In their past five games, the Bulldogs have leaked 234 points – only two fewer than the Panthers have conceded all season. 

The Panthers inflicted the bulk of the damage in the opening exchanges, running in 28 unanswered points in 30 minutes to put the game beyond doubt.

The only sour note for the Panthers was a suspected medial cruciate ligament injury to Spencer Leniu that forced the interchange prop from the field in the first half.

As was the case in last week’s loss to Brisbane, the Bulldogs showed fight for periods of the game, scoring only four fewer points than the Panthers in the second half.

But Canterbury shot themselves in the foot when the game was in the balance on Sunday.

Penrith’s first try came directly after a ruck penalty, their second after an obstruction penalty, their third after a Canterbury knock-on and their fourth from a penalty for a leg pull.

Halfback Cleary showed no signs of the hamstring injury that had kept him out since round 14 and was his busy self on return.

He ran the line that led to the first of Brian To’o’s two tries and then swung left to give the Panthers the overlap that confirmed a double for Tyrone Peachey as well.

In the second half, a beautiful flat ball from Cleary sent Luke Garner over on the right for his first try as a Panther.

Goal-line defence has been a particular area of concern for the Bulldogs in recent weeks and six of Penrith’s eight tries came from close range.

The Panthers proved capable of punishing from long range as well, To’o running 70 metres from a kick return for most exciting try of the afternoon.

Coach Cameron Ciraldo hoped late changes to his spine formation could spark the Bulldogs. 

He benched co-captain Reed Mahoney, started Kyle Flanagan at hooker, promoted Hayze Perham to fullback and pushed Jake Averillo into the halves.

But by the time Mahoney came onto the field, Canterbury were four tries down, though did manage to stem the bleeding around that time.

They scored their first try of the afternoon late in the first half, enjoyed all the territory to begin the second and kept Penrith to only one try in 29 minutes across the break.

But the result was never in doubt as the Panthers cruised to a big win with three second-half tries.