Sports
Cleary’s Miracle: Penrith Panthers Snatch NRL Grand Final Victory from the Jaws of Defeat
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Nathan Cleary has engineered the greatest comeback in grand final history to hand Penrith a historic NRL three-peat with a 26-24 win over Brisbane.
Down 24-8 with 18 minutes to play, Cleary set up two tries and scored one of his own in the dying minutes to give the Panthers the lead and earn himself a second Clive Churchill Medal.
The most crucial of those came with three minutes left when Cleary darted back through the middle of the field to score and then convert take a two-point match-winning lead.
Penrith then held on for the final minutes, with Scott Sorensen intercepting a Reece Walsh offload to end Brisbane’s hopes of victory.
The win overtakes Melbourne’s comeback from 14 points down against St George Illawarra in 1999 as the biggest-ever in a decider.
The victory also stakes Penrith’s claim as one of the all-time great rugby league sides, becoming the first team since Parramatta in 1983 to win three straight titles.
But it hasn’t been completed in the NRL era or under a salary cap.
Making Cleary’s effort even more remarkable was that he did it without five-eighth Jarome Luai, who succumbed to a shoulder injury with 28 minutes to play.
Penrith looked shot early in the second half when Ezra Mam scored three tries in the space of 10 minutes to take Brisbane from 8-6 down to a 24-8 lead.
All three tries came from a distance, with Mam stepping past Lindsay Smith and Izack Tago for his first and Isaah Yeo and Cleary for his next.
Walsh then inserted himself into the game, stepping past Cleary, fending off Tago and putting Mam over for his hat-trick.
But after his two defensive lapses, Cleary made up for it as he masterminded a Penrith fightback.
With 18 minutes to play, Cleary stepped through the Broncos’ line and put Moses Leota over, reducing the margin to 10.
From the next set he produced a pinpoint perfect 40-20, before sending Stephen Crichton over moments later following a Pat Carrigan error.
Then, just as Brisbane looked set to hold on, Cleary stepped through a broken defensive line to give the Panthers their fifth title and by far their most miraculous.
“It honestly feels like a dream,” Cleary said.
“The start of that second half was a nightmare. It was so bad. We were down but never out. We keep fighting, that’s our mentality.
“There was so much fatigue. I just had to keep telling myself, just keep going, keep going.
“It would have been easy to give up then but we had to keep fighting. That’s what we do.”
Cleary became the first player in history to win back-to-back Clive Churchill Medals.
“I’m trying to think of a better halfback performance,” league great Andrew Johns said on Nine.
“He willed this team over.
“That performance by Nathan Cleary in the last 20 minutes of that game, is without doubt the best performance by a halfback in a grand final.
“What a game by the champion halfback.”
Penrith had earlier dominated the first half, but only had an 8-6 half-time lead to show for it when Thomas Flegler crashed over for Brisbane right on half time.
Despite their charge, the loss means the Broncos’ premiership drought will extend into a least an 18th season.
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You won’t believe the string of injuries hitting the NRL this weekend. With Nicho Hynes, Nathan Cleary, and Tom Trbojevic all facing time on the sidelines, teams are scrambling to fill key positions. The impact of these injuries could reverberate throughout the season.
Impact on NSW State of Origin Team
On a weekend marred by injuries, the NSW State of Origin team is facing a major shake-up. With Cleary, Trbojevic, and potentially Hynes out of contention for the upcoming series, coach Michael Maguire is left with some tough decisions to make. The injury woes are forcing Maguire to rethink his lineup and strategy heading into the crucial State of Origin games.
Paralympics Update
Now, McGrath warms up for the Paris Paralympics with a world title under her belt, showcasing her determination and skill in the face of tough competition.
Other Top Stories
Understanding the ever-changing landscape of NSW’s Origin hopes, with injuries to key players like Hynes and Cleary, the team is facing serious roster challenges. However, with a resilient mindset and a deep pool of talent to draw from, the Blues remain confident in their ability to reclaim the Origin Shield.
Sports
Anzac Day clash one out of the top draw for Pies, Dons
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Just like the thousands of fans who packed the MCG on Anzac Day, the Essendon and Collingwood players left everything out on the field in a thrilling draw that will be remembered as one of the best home-and-away games in recent times. The Bombers and Magpies played out a pulsating contest in front of 93,644 spectators, with neither team able to secure the victory in the dying moments of the match.
Essendon’s Kyle Langford, who had an outstanding game with four goals, including two crucial ones in the final quarter, had the chance to win the game for his team but missed a set shot from 30m out, resulting in the first draw on Anzac Day since the inaugural blockbuster in 1995. Collingwood also had their opportunity to snatch the win, but forward Jamie Elliott couldn’t hold onto a diving mark near the boundary in the final moments of the game.
“I thought both sides had their opportunity to win the game,” said Bombers coach Brad Scott. “It’s a bit of a hollow feeling, but I said to the players win, lose or draw, the effort and intent is what we’re after, and the players delivered that.”
Collingwood, known for their ability to perform in tight finishes under coach Craig McRae, fought back from a 27-point deficit to level the scores with the Bombers. The Magpies showed resilience and determination throughout the game, with forward Brody Mihocek kicking three goals and veteran Scott Pendlebury becoming the first VFL/AFL player to reach 10,000 career possessions.
Despite the draw, the match provided plenty of highlights, including Elliott’s spectacular mark in the third quarter and Pendlebury’s milestone moment in the first quarter. Both teams showcased their skills and competitive spirit, making it a memorable clash that captivated the audience and showcased the essence of Anzac Day football.
“On a day like today, when most of the footy world would be watching, it’s a great spectacle for our game,” McRae commented after the game. The players from both sides left it all on the field, displaying courage, skill, and sportsmanship throughout the intense battle.
While the result might have been a draw, the Anzac Day clash between Essendon and Collingwood will be remembered as a classic encounter that showcased the best of Australian Rules football. The players, coaches, and fans can take pride in the effort and intensity displayed on the field, making it a fitting tribute to the Anzac Day tradition of honoring and remembering those who have served and sacrificed for their country.
Sports
Australians eye happy homecoming at Adelaide’s LIV Golf
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Homecoming can be defined as a pleasant return to one’s homeland or ancestral roots, and for Australian golfers Cameron Smith, Marc Leishman, Matt Jones, and Lucas Herbert, the LIV Golf tournament in Adelaide presents a perfect opportunity for a successful homecoming. With the second tournament set to kick off in Adelaide’s west at The Grange, the Australian golfers are eager to make their mark on home soil.
Reflecting on the previous year’s tournament, Cameron Smith expressed doubts that the feats achieved by American golfer Talor Gooch could be replicated. Gooch wowed the crowd with consecutive 10-under 62s to open the tournament, ultimately finishing at 19 under to claim victory. Smith, who tied for third in the inaugural Adelaide tournament, is impressed by Gooch’s performance and is looking to emulate aspects of his game this year.
One noticeable change this year is the condition of the greens at The Grange, with Smith noting that they seem to be more consistent compared to the previous year. With the home ground advantage on their side, Smith, Leishman, Jones, and Herbert are determined to make the most of the tournament and aim for a win on home soil.
Currently, the Australian Ripper team consisting of Smith, Leishman, Jones, and Herbert is in eighth place out of 12 teams in the standings. However, with the support of the home crowd and familiarity with the course, the Australian golfers are hopeful of climbing up the leaderboard and securing a memorable win.
Leading the individual standings is Chile’s Joaquin Niemann, who has already claimed two victories this season. Despite Niemann’s impressive performance, the Australian golfers are focused on their own game and the possibility of lifting the trophy in front of their home fans.
Marc Leishman, who achieved his best finish in a LIV Golf tournament with a tied-fourth position in Miami, emphasized the significance of winning in Adelaide. A victory at the LIV Golf tournament would not only be a career highlight for any of the Australian Ripper team members but also a momentous occasion for Australian golf as a whole.
As the tournament unfolds, all eyes will be on the Australian contingent as they strive to deliver a stellar performance on familiar turf. With the support of the local fans and a strong sense of home advantage, Smith, Leishman, Jones, and Herbert are determined to make their mark at Adelaide’s LIV Golf tournament and potentially etch their names in the history books with a victorious homecoming.
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