Nathan Cleary Returns in Style as Panthers Blow Away Roosters with First-Half Blitz

Penrith Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary announced his return to the NRL with a dominant performance in his side's 26-12 victory over the Sydney Roosters on Friday night. After missing the opening six rounds of the season with a shoulder injury, Cleary was back to his brilliant best as the Panthers raced out to a 20-nil lead in the first half thanks to fullback Dylan Edwards' two tries.

Cleary's Stunning Return

Cleary's influence on the Panthers side was evident from the outset. His pinpoint kicking game caused the Roosters all sorts of problems, while his energetic runs from dummy-half kept their defence guessing. The 23-year-old had a hand in both of Edward's tries, putting the speedster away with a brilliant cross-field kick for his first and a well-weighted grubber for his second.

A Dominant Panthers Performance

The victory was a complete team effort from the Panthers who were simply too strong for the Roosters. The return of Cleary added a new dimension to their attack and gave them a much-needed boost in defence. The forward pack laid a strong platform for their backs, with James Fisher-Harris and Moses Leota leading the charge.

Edwards and Luai Impress

In addition to Cleary, Dylan Edwards and Jarome Luai were also in top form for the Panthers. Edwards finished the night with a hat-trick of tries, while Luai controlled the game with his kicking and running game. The young five-eighth looks to have taken his game to a new level in the absence of his halves partner.

Roosters Fail to Fire

The Roosters were disappointing in defeat, with their attacking play lacking direction and energy. Luke Keary looks a shadow of his former self, while James Tedesco was well contained by the Panthers defence. The tricolours will need to improve significantly if they are to challenge for the title this season.

Panthers Back in the Hunt

The victory takes the Panthers to 5-2 for the season and firmly back in the hunt for a top-four finish. With Cleary back in the team, they will be confident of making a deep run into the finals. The Roosters, on the other hand, will need to find some form quickly if they are to avoid missing out on the finals altogether.