It is when you are down that you need your leaders to stand up the most.
And so with his side sitting at the bottom of the competition ladder heading into Magic Round, Nathan Cleary did just that.
It was his best performance of the season and confirmation that when the best player in the game is delivering, the team follows suit.
The likes of Dylan Edwards, Izack Tago and Liam Martin brought their experience to the fore while Thomas Jenkins, Blaize Talagi and Luron Patea produced outstanding games, the kind of form we’ve been desperate to see from the next crop of NRL stars.
With that 32-8 win over Brisbane, the Panthers sounded a warning to the competition that reports of their demise may have been premature. It was a first class performance, and the type of effort we’ve come to expect from Penrith over the last five years.
The challenge now is to back it up and record consecutive victories for the first time in 2025.
Penrith heads to Townsville for a showdown with the Cowboys, who would probably count themselves unlucky to have not run down the Warriors last Saturday after a terrific second half comeback.
The Cowboys sit in ninth spot on the ladder and these are the types of games Penrith can’t afford to lose if they’re going to make a charge to the Finals, especially with the Origin period looming.
All Ivan Cleary’s side needs to do at the moment is stay in touch with the top eight. Forget about winning a certain number of games or how the schedule plays out, simply stay in touch and then time your run late in the season to sneak into the Finals. From there, anything could happen.
Penrith welcome back two key players this week in Mitch Kenny and Brian To’o.
Both are critical.
Luke Sommerton has some excellent qualities and Trent Toelau tries his backside off, but Kenny’s defensive muscle through the middle and his ability to read what those alongside him need at certain times is crucial for the Panthers.
And the early set go-forward of To’o is equally important, in fact it’s been something the Panthers have sorely missed this season. He will provide plenty of energy and help Penrith control the momentum of games, which has been one of their key attributes during this enormous Premiership run.
There’s plenty of players that should have Penrith on high alert this Saturday night. Tom Dearden is in terrific form for the Cowboys, both his linebreak assists and linebreak involvements have been crucial in North Queensland’s victories this year.
But for me it is Nathan Cleary’s kicking game that can again prove the difference here. He’s clocked up more kick metres than any other player in the competition so far this season, and we saw last Saturday that he’ll continue to search for every opportunity – whether that’s a 40/20, or a chance to shift the momentum and lock in a few tough defensive sets on the back of an impressive kick.
The Cowboys can score points quickly but they can also concede them at the same rate. The Panthers are every chance of putting on a big score here but they need to keep their defence tight and again implement the blueprint we saw against the Broncos.
I had plenty of egg on my face after tipping against Penrith last weekend, but there was nothing better than wiping it off.
Some have suggested tipping against them may be the magic potion, but I’m not going to be that silly again.
Just when you think they’re gone, this special footy team delivers for you.
It’s Penrith for me and I actually think they’ll get this comfortably, particularly given the confidence last week’s win would have put through the side.
Tip: Panthers by 18.
Penrith and North Queensland play at QLD Country Bank Stadium on Saturday, May 10 at 7.35pm. The game is live on Fox Sports, Kayo and Radio 2GB.
Troy Dodds
Troy Dodds is the Weekender's Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia's leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.