Sport
Cleary inspires Panthers to biggest win in club history
Penrith's 68-0 demolition of Wests Tigers at BlueBet Stadium reset every page in the record book and sent a warning to the rest of the competition.
Nathan Cleary picked apart the Tigers' defensive line with the calm of a man who knew the scoreboard was already broken. By halftime, Penrith led 38-0; by full time, the margin was the largest in the club's 59-year history.
Twelve tries to nil. A 90 percent completion rate. Three try assists and two line-break assists from the captain. Coach Ivan Cleary called the performance "almost cruel" in his post-match remarks, and pointed to the side's intent in the opening twenty minutes as the moment the match was decided.
The win lifts Penrith to second on the ladder ahead of Origin II and gives the Maroons selectors fresh ammunition for the No. 7 debate. Tigers coach Benji Marshall, visibly shaken, admitted his side were "nowhere near the contest from minute one."
Brian To'o crossed for a hat-trick. Casey McLean scored two on debut at fullback. The Penrith bench was barely needed. Long-time supporters in the western grandstand stood for the final five minutes — a rare sight at a regular-season fixture.
Penrith next host the Storm at BlueBet Stadium on Friday night.
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