The wash-up: Penrith 26 Sharks 6
Nathan Cleary insists a shoulder knock won’t threaten his participation in the grand final as father Ivan unloaded on the Bunker over a contentious obstruction ruling.
Cleary reaggravated the left shoulder injury he suffered six weeks against Melbourne, coming from the field with just only eight minutes left in Penrith’s 26-6 preliminary final win against Cronulla, a result that has catapulted them into their fifth straight decider.
Cleary junior was the difference in a game that was closer than what the scoreline suggested, kicking a 40-20, setting up three tries and saving another. The halfback suffered the latest setback pulling off a trysaver on Kayal Iro, but insisted he would line up for the decider against Dally M favourite Jahrome Hughes.
“It’s all good,” Nathan Cleary said. “I got a little knock at the end but I played out the next two sets and felt fine. It’s sweet.”
Coach Cleary seldom turns the spotlight on match officials, but was scathing about the decision to take a try off Sunia Turuva. Sharks centre Siosifa Talakai was ruled to be obstructed in the lead up, a call that was also panned by commentators.
“That was a terrible decision and gives me a lot of anxiety around next week if that Bunker official [is there],” Ivan said.
“That was wrong. It’s been happening all year … that worries me next week if that Bunker official, either he or someone else is going off the same script, I’m concerned.
“I’d like to think I don’t talk about referees or Bunkers or things that I can’t control, but when Wayne Bennett - the best of all time - came out and said after the game against Newcastle - and he’s 100 per cent right - he said someone will suffer in the finals …
“It’s terrible. There’s no understanding of what we’re actually trying to do …
“Next week, the biggest game of the year, I’d hate for something like that to happen.”
Nathan Cleary leaves the field after injuring his shoulder.Credit: Getty Images
On a day crammed with so much sport, a contest materialised where it was least expected. The Swans again saved their worst for last and the Wallabies reverted to type, leaving it to the Sharks to hold their gloves up.
When Sione Katoa performed one of his trademark, acrobatic put-downs in the north-eastern corner, one of the most monumental upsets of them all was possible. However, Nathan Cleary was the difference, setting up a blockbuster finale between the two best teams in the competition.
“That’s why they are three-time premiers, a team in a middle of a dynasty and we’re a team in the middle of development,” said Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon.
“There’s levels to it and we’re not quite there yet.”
Despite enjoying a 15-day turnaround, Penrith was not the well-oiled machine they were last week or will need to be next week. However, no team handles the big moments as well and their reward is the chance to extend their championship streak to four.
“I’m just so happy to be back in the grand final, they are so hard to get there,” Ivan Cleary said.
“It’s a bit surreal actually.”