Milky Jenkins and silky Cleary star in big Panthers win
Darren Walton |
Try-scoring sensation Tom Jenkins has penned another chapter in the NRL history books as Penrith took a giant stride towards the minor premiership with a 42-18 statement win over Canberra.
There was no “Miracle in Mudgee” for the Raiders this year as Jenkins and playmaking maestro Nathan Cleary stole the show in the two sides’ much-anticipated 2026 sequel at Glen Willow Oval on Saturday.
A year after Kaeo Weekes completed a spectacular game-winning 95-metre try at the same venue, after Cleary’s golden-point field goal attempt had struck the upright, the Panthers gained sweet revenge in the corresponding 2026 fixture.
Cleary fittingly, and typically, had a hand or boot in five of Penrith’s seven four-pointers as the benchmark Panthers restored their four-point advantage over the Sydney Roosters at the top of the ladder.
While Cleary called the shots, Jenkins once again added to his fast-expanding highlights reel with another eye-catching and record-setting display.
The 25-year-old revelation bagged his 10th double of the season to equal prolific Newtown winger Ray Preston’s benchmark of 12 multi-try performances from 1954.
A week after bettering Rhys “Lightning” Wesser’s club-record 25 tries in a season, Jenkins crossed for a 27th and 28th time in 2026.
With an injury-free run and at least seven more games to play, or as many as nine if Penrith make the grand final, Jenkins remains a chance of eclipsing Dave Brown’s once-untouchable tally of 38 tries for the Roosters back in 1935.
The dynamic winger can also help Penrith reduce the minor premiership battle to a race in two when the Panthers head to Auckland to face the third-placed Warriors in a bumper match-up on Friday night.
For the Raiders, though, their finals hopes look all but over.
The Panthers snapping Canberra’s four-match winning streak leaves Ricky Stuart’s 2025 minor premiers stranded six points adrift of the top eight with only five rounds remaining.
AAP