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The Panthers are off to a third straight preliminary final after beating the Eels 27-8 thanks an absolute masterclass from halfback Nathan Cleary.
Cleary was playing his first game back from a five-game suspension but he didn’t miss a beat and controlled proceedings from start to finish.
Penrith winger Brian To’o was also exceptional and scored two tries, including the opener when teammate Taylan May was in the bin.
Read on for the Panthers player ratings from their qualifying final against the Eels.
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1. DYLAN EDWARDS – 8.5
Scored a sensational trick play try in the 60th minute after chasing down a Nathan Cleary kick and made a try-saving tackle on Maika Sivo moments later. Fumbled a regulation pickup in the first half and put down another one late but still ran for 165 metres and had five tackle busts.
2. TAYLAN MAY – 3
Sin-binned in the 12th minute for a high shot which sent Will Penisini for an HIA. Came back on and coughed up the ball moments later which cost his side a try. Injured his hamstring in the second half and will go for scans.
3. IZACK TAGO – 7
Quietly went about his business with plenty of tough carries out of yardage, finished with 145 metres from 16 carries.
4. STEPHEN CRICHTON – 5.5
Should have scored the first try in the eighth minute but was held up after ignoring Brian To’o outside him. Only ran for 57 metres but still finished with a try assist and linebreak assist.
5. BRIAN TO’O – 9.5
Cut back inside to score the first try despite teammate Taylan May sitting in the bin at the time. Then scored the Panthers’ second after showing incredible strength to finish between two defenders in the corner. Ran for an incredible 222 metres from 24 carries which included seven tackle busts.
6. JAROME LUAI – 6.5
Didn’t make any mistakes and allowed the Cleary masterclass to unfold.
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7. NATHAN CLEARY – 10
Easily the best player on the park in his comeback game from a five-week ban. Helped make a try saving tackle on Maika Sivo before setting up the opening try with a towering bomb. Slotted a field goal on the stroke of halftime but bombed a try in the second half after failing to ground it. Denied a 40-20 by millimetres and finished with three try assists.
Came off the back fence for the first hit-up of the game and set up the opening try for Brian To’o after a nice left foot step. Ran for 104 metres from 10 carries.
14. MITCH KENNY – 5
Started at hooker in a late change but played just 35 minutes while making 22 tackles and missing two.
10. JAMES FISHER-HARRIS – 8.5
Delivered a beautiful flick pass to his front row partner Moses Leota which led to Brian To’o scoring the opening try. Then scored a try of his own in the second half after collecting a Nathan Cleary flick pass to crash over next to the posts. Ran for 129 metres from 14 carries.
11. VILIAME KIKAU – 6.5
Bombed a likely second try for his side in the 22nd minute after throwing it behind Stephen Crichton, but ran for 117 metres and made two tackle busts.
12. LIAM MARTIN – 7
A typical workhorse performance from the second-rower chasing a Kangaroos jersey at next month’s World Cup. Made 42 tackles but conceded two penalties.
13. ISAAH YEO – 8
Ran straight and hard all night while also providing his consistent link play for Nathan Cleary. Ran for 87 metres and made 31 tackles.
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9. APISAI KOROISAU – 7
Came off the bench and made 29 tackles but also had an error in his 62 minutes on the park.
15. SCOTT SORENSEN – 6.5
Didn’t see much action but ran for 41 metres from five carriers and made 20 tackles without making a mistake.
16. SPENCER LENIU – 5.5
Placed on report in the second half for a high shot which gave up the penalty that allowed the Eels to boot two points and take an 8-7 lead.
17. JAEMAN SALMON – 5.5
Only played 11 minutes after Taylan May went off late with a hamstring injury.
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