The Brisbane Broncos had a dreadful evening as they endured a heavy defeat at the hands of the reigning NRL champions, Penrith. Adding to their woes, they also lost their key player, star fullback Reece Walsh, during the match.
Walsh showcased his exceptional skills and dominated against Latrell Mitchell in the previous week’s victory over South Sydney. However, his impressive performance was cut short as he was forced to leave the field after only five minutes due to a severe head clash with Panthers’ standout player Taylan May. This collision resulted in a significant laceration on the left side of Walsh’s face, requiring 20 minutes for the medical team to stitch it up and treat the injury.
Six months after delivering a remarkable individual performance in the grand final to snatch the NRL premiership from Brisbane, Cleary once again showcased his brilliance on Thursday night.
The Penrith halfback played a crucial role in four tries, including a mesmerizing assist to Izack Tago just before halftime, effectively extinguishing any hopes the Broncos had at BlueBet Stadium.
With the absence of Walsh, Haas, and Reynolds, Cleary effortlessly exploited the Broncos’ vulnerabilities. He specifically targeted Brendan Piakura, taking advantage of Brisbane’s decision to field the second-rower at left center while Selwyn Cobbo filled in at fullback.
It was on that particular flank that Cleary initiated the Panthers’ first try by lofting a perfectly placed pass for winger Sunia Turuva to score.
Center Tago was the next beneficiary of Cleary’s playmaking prowess, as the halfback executed a long cut-out pass following a change in the point of attack by Jarome Luai.
However, the highlight of the night came just before halftime. With Brisbane already struggling at 16-2, Cleary displayed his exceptional skills by evading defenders with a double-pump dummy and a deceptive show-and-go, leaving the Broncos defense scrambling to react.
Cleary’s influence on the match continued as he orchestrated another pivotal moment. He orchestrated a play after the halftime break, moving laterally across the field to create an overload in numbers. This strategic maneuver allowed Luai and May to combine effectively, resulting in Brian To’o crossing the try line.
By this point, Cleary had already played a part in six tries, spanning across 60 minutes of football against the Broncos, including last year’s grand final. His impact on the game was undeniable and showcased his ability to consistently make significant contributions to his team’s success.
Another noticeable aspect was that although Brisbane avoided discussing last year’s grand final during the week, Penrith clearly took lessons from that encounter.
Penrith’s defensive strategy involved aggressive rushing up to minimize the time and space available to Brisbane’s edges, which had been exploited by Ezra Mam and Walsh in the 2023 decider.
It was during this defensive effort that Walsh sustained his injury, with May being placed on report for colliding with the Broncos’ fullback early in the game.
Penrith disputed the penalty call, but referee Gerard Sutton deemed that May had a responsibility to exercise caution, bend in the tackle, and avoid a head clash.
Brisbane capitalized on the penalty with a successful goal kick, taking a 2-0 lead, but they failed to score again until the second half when the outcome of the game had already been decided.
While Penrith continues to excel, Brisbane finds themselves with only one win out of three matches to start the season, and there is a risk of Walsh joining Reynolds and Haas on the injury list.
