Nathan Cleary’s wry smile 25 minutes into Penrith’s resounding 28-point win over Parramatta was the telltale sign of a footballer who knows he’s got the ball completely on a string.
His left-footed chip over the top from 10 metres out had far too much pepper on it, but fortune favoured the best as the ball ricocheted off the post padding and fell perfectly for Lindsay Smith to scoop up and plant down Penrith’s fourth try of the first half.
It was a fortuitous break for the Penrith halfback, but the game’s greats make their own luck and it is one of the reasons the Panthers remain overwhelming premiership favourites.
“It was a fluke,” Cleary said afterwards. “As it came off my boot, I thought it was going out dead on the full. Thank god for the padding and the bounce.”
Cleary played a hand in three first-half tries on another forgettable evening for an Eels side who look to be heading for a bottom-eight finish unless something drastic changes.
The carnage evoked memories of Penrith’s 18-0 first-half clinic against the Eels in the 2022 grand final, but this was on another level. Cleary orchestrated a 30-point first-half buffet as teammates feasted on their western Sydney rivals with ruthless efficiency.
The much-hyped playmaking duel between Cleary and Mitchell Moses never materialised. The Penrith No.7 chalked up a decisive win, although Parramatta’s concerning handling errors denied Moses any chance of a fair fight.
Eels teammates Kelma Tuilagi, Sam Tuivaiti, Jonah Pezet and Isaiah Iongi all coughed up possession in a ragged opening half, the latter spilling a straightforward Cleary grubber. Each error invited Penrith further into the contest, and the four-time premiers from 2021 to 2024 needed no second invitation.
It was also tough viewing for Eels fans as former prodigy Blaize Talagi leapt over Iongi to score Penrith’s second try — one of five inside the opening 27 minutes.
That try came from a pinpoint Cleary bomb, another reminder of the variety in his kicking game. As Penrith’s left edge gathered momentum, the Eels unravelled. Heaven help them if Moses goes down injured this season.
At 30-4, with the contest effectively over, Moses had a moment to forget when he knocked on with Penrith reduced to 12 men and Mitch Kenny in the bin. Chasing the game can often force errors, but with Parramatta now sitting at two wins and two losses, their issues run deeper than scoreboard pressure.
Michael Ennis summed it up aptly on Fox League, describing Parramatta’s display as “death by a thousand cuts” as Eels coach Jason Ryles dropped his head in the box following Luca Moretti’s knock-on with 30 minutes remaining and the margin still 22. His mood was not much better at his press conference.
Cleary’s grubber for Paul Alamoti’s 54th-minute try was an understated gem, given it came on tackle three and with replacement Eels fullback Joash Papalii caught way out of position. Few in the game possess Cleary’s vision or control, and Parramatta had no answer.
Cleary’s goal-kicking was also flawless — slotting eight from eight — while Moses managed two from four off the tee.
With Cleary in this kind of sublime touch, it would be a surprise if the Panthers do not march towards another grand final. Their system continues to churn out ready-made first-grade footballers, their stars are in form, and their composure under pressure is unmatched.
The Origin period may disrupt Penrith’s rhythm, but as it stands, Cleary remains the game’s dominant force. Moses’ 67 per cent win record in Origin football shouldn’t be ignored and there is every chance he too will be involved as the Blues look to bounce back after their series defeat last year.
Even in a lopsided contest, Parramatta showed signs of life, crossing for four tries which saw them outscore the combined tally of Penrith’s previous three opponents. But that was little consolation.
The Eels might be good enough come August, but it won’t help their September plans if they don’t kick into gear soon.
At full-time, Cleary exchanged a high-five with teammate Liam Martin as Moses, a few metres away, stretched out what appeared to be a calf complaint. The two halfbacks eventually came together for a lengthy chat, perhaps already looking towards Origin.
One is well ahead in the halfback race, and both know it.
Tom Decent is the chief sports writer for The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via X or email.