Penrith thump Roosters as Cleary sets club record

Penrith’s premiership defence is back on track after Nathan Cleary steered the Panthers to a dominant 40-12 win over the Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium, breaking a five-game losing streak and reigniting belief in the four-time defending champions.

It was their first win on Australian soil since the 2023 Grand Final and couldn’t have come at a better time for coach Ivan Cleary, who abandoned the coach’s box to pace the sideline as his side belatedly found form.

With the Panthers trailing early after Daniel Tupou scored off a slick Mark Nawaqanitawase flick pass, it looked like their horror run might continue.

But Paul Alamoti bagged a double, Dylan Edwards played himself firmly into State of Origin contention, and Nathan Cleary made club history.

The Penrith No.7 passed Ryan Girdler to become the Panthers’ all-time leading point scorer with his seventh conversion — but more importantly, he orchestrated a second-half blitz that left the Roosters shell-shocked.

New recruits Isaiah Papali’i and Blaize Talagi both scored their first tries for the club, while Edwards ran for 231 metres, set up two tries, and crossed himself in a commanding Origin audition against James Tedesco.

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“Great performance — back to the Penrith we know tonight,” Kevin Walters said in commentary on Fox League.

The Roosters, missing Angus Crichton and losing Nat Butcher (knee) and Luke Garner (HIA) mid-game, had no answers as Penrith ran in four unanswered second-half tries.

Robert Toia’s slick effort off a scrum play was the only bright spot in a forgettable night for the Tricolours.

Edwards’ match-up with Tedesco — a potential preview of Origin I selection — added intrigue, and the Panthers No.1 did his cause no harm with another tireless performance.

He did, however, escape a potential sin-bin after colliding with Tedesco in a controversial non-call from The Bunker.

Ivan Cleary acknowledged the challenges ahead but was proud of his team’s response.

“We’ve got to build from here. We’re not at our best, but we showed what we can do when we stick to our systems,” he said.

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