Canberra Coaches Highlight the Lessons from Nathan Cleary’s Performance
Canberra coach Ricky Stuart has praised the experience gained by his young halves, Ethan Sanders and Ethan Strange, after they faced a tough challenge from Penrith’s star playmaker, Nathan Cleary. The Panthers emerged victorious with a 30-18 win over the Raiders at GIO Stadium, ending any hopes of Canberra becoming the first team to defeat the Panthers three times in a row during their NRL dynasty era.
Cleary was instrumental in the victory, delivering three try assists, executing a stunning line drop out, and scoring a crucial second-half individual try. Stuart emphasized that the experience of facing Cleary was invaluable for the young halves, stating that it was an “education” that could not be replicated through video or coaching sessions.
“[The young halves] seeing what Nathan Cleary does tonight against them, feeling it, seeing it is such a benefit for those two boys,” said Stuart, a former halfback great himself. “That’s just an education. You can’t get that on a video. You can’t get that by sitting down and coaching them.”
Young Halfbacks Show Promise Despite Challenges
Despite being under scrutiny this season, the Raiders’ halves duo, Sanders and Strange, have shown promise. Sanders, 22, has had limited NRL gametime, while Strange, 21, has also been restricted. However, Strange returned from an ankle injury with a strong performance, recording 10 tackle busts and two try assists. Sanders scored a try as he continued to build momentum following a breakout performance against Gold Coast in the previous round.
Cleary acknowledged the potential of Sanders, saying, “I reckon he’s got a massive future in front of him. It’s not easy coming in as a young kid and knowing that you’re going to be the seven and steering the team around.”
Penrith’s Hard-Fought Victory
Penrith had to work hard for their victory, with both teams trading scores throughout the match. Cleary’s try in the 51st minute and Billy Phillips’ first career try six minutes later ensured the Panthers’ ninth win from 10 games this season.
Raiders Suffer Setbacks
The Raiders (4-6) faced additional challenges as in-form player Simi Sasagi left the field early due to a persistent shoulder injury that flared up in the first half. This loss was a blow to the team’s morale and strategy.
Penrith opened the scoring with a powerful try from Blaize Talagi, followed by a blistering run from Tom Starling, which allowed Sanders to score a try on the next play. Isaiah Papali’i broke through the Raiders’ defense to set up Talagi for his second try, but the Raiders responded when Strange passed to center Sebastian Kris.
Halftime Lead and Comeback
Casey McLean crossed in the 33rd minute, helping the visitors take an 18-12 lead at halftime. Fullback Kaeo Weekes equalized for the Raiders in the 48th minute, but Cleary regained the lead three minutes later with a try. Phillips added to the advantage when he capitalized on a long kick from Cleary, which was caught by Tom Jenkins and quickly moved to the substitute.
Conclusion
The match highlighted the importance of experience and adaptability in rugby league. While the Raiders showed resilience and determination, Penrith’s tactical execution and key performances from players like Cleary proved decisive. For the young halves of Canberra, the encounter with Cleary provided a valuable lesson that will serve them well in their future careers.
