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Tom Trbojevic and Nathan Cleary inflict more pain on Queensland after State of Origin loss

Trbojevic and Cleary both masterminded superb victories for their sides.

andrew reid
·5-min read

Tom Trbojevic and Nathan Cleary have helped make it a week to forget for Queensland fans after masterminding superb NRL victories for Manly and Penrith over Gold Coast and the Dolphins, respectively. Trbojevic looked back to his best in a 38-8 flogging of the Titans on Sunday that was just his third game back from a hamstring injury. And Cleary kicked a winning two-point field goal for the Panthers against the Dolphins in his first game since round 10.

Hamstring injuries prevented both Trbojevic and Cleary from being involved in Wednesday night's epic State of Origin series victory for the Blues as Michael Maguire's side became just the third Blues team to win a decider in Queensland for 19 years. Trbojevic and Cleary would have been two of the first names picked for Maguire's side if fully fit but the Blues didn't end up needing their superstars in an encouraging sign of the depth at Maguire's disposal.

Pictured left to right, Tom Trbojevic and Nathan Cleary.
Tom Trbojevic and Nathan Cleary both starred in wins against Queensland NRL teams days after the Blues' State of Origin series win over the Maroons. Pic: Getty

Both men showed just how influential they are on Sunday though, and how crucial they are for the NRL finals hopes of their respective sides. Manly have now won three straight games since their star fullback returned against the Cowboys in round 18, and have subsequently jumped up to fifth on the ladder.

Trbojevic was outstanding against former coach Des Hasler's Titans side at 4 Pines Park on Sunday, scoring two tries, setting up three more and providing five line break assists. It was reminiscent of the type of form that saw the Manly No.1 win the 2021 Dally M Medal and spur his Sea Eagles on to the preliminary final. He was ably supported by Luke Brooks, who played arguably his best game in a Manly jersey since signing from the Wests Tigers this season and is now on track to qualify for the finals for the first time in his career.

The Sea Eagles face a stern test of their premiership credentials next Saturday night though when they face the Roosters at Allianz Stadium in a battle of 4th vs 5th on the ladder. A win for Manly would see them leapfrog the Roosters into fourth, before a bye the following week in round 22 that would cement their spot on the ladder. And the continued presence and form of Trbojevic will be crucial to coach Anthony Seibold's side.

The same can be said for Penrith and Cleary after the superstar No.7 returned to help the three-time defending premiers snatch a stunning come-from-behind win over the high-flying Dolphins on Sunday. The Panthers were staring down the barrel of a third home defeat in four games when Wayne Bennett's Dolphins jumped out to a 14-point lead in the second half but helped Cleary mastermind an epic comeback before icing the game for his side late on.

With NSW fullback Dylan Edwards out injured and Penrith resting all of their other Origin stars, Cleary produced two try assists and stepped up to drag his side across the line in a thrilling finish. The Penrith skipper kicked a clutch penalty goal to tie up the game at 26-all and send it into extra time before booting a massive two-point field goal from more than 40 metres out to win the game in golden point.

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“I can’t even believe it hey,” Cleary told Fox Sports after the game. “I wasn’t even sure if it went over and then when I saw everyone run to me, it felt like a dream. Pretty cool.” Cleary admitted it was frustrating watching from the sidelines and not being involved in the Blues' Origin series triumph, but the 26-year-old took one game to remind the league world how influential he is to the Panthers as they chase a fourth straight NRL premiership in 2024.

Seen here, Nathan Cleary playing in Penrith's golden point win over the Dolphins.
Nathan Cleary returned from a long injury absence to kick Penrith to a golden point win over the Dolphins. Pic: Getty

“It was tough to take but I flipped my mindset. I’ve got a lot of good people around me that put a lot of things in perspective,” he added. “Sitting back and seeing these boys go to work, doing a great job, and then seeing Origin, (the Blues) winning just playing so well, it was cool to be a fan for a bit but it’s good to be back.”

Penrith's win saw them leapfrog the third-placed Sharks into second on the ladder behind the impressive Melbourne Storm. The Dolphins have slipped to sixth on the ladder after a third loss in their last four games, with Bennett's men one of four sides equal on 24 competition points, two ahead of the 10th placed Raiders.