'Big night': Cleary, Panthers feeling the love after historic victory
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Panthers coach Ivan Cleary joked the side would've been lucky to have 5000 at BlueBet Stadium against the Raiders when he first arrived at the club a decade ago.
On Friday night, the 20,890 spectators got value for their money as the Panthers made it five straight wins in the best start to a season for the club in their proud history.
Acknowledging history was the topic of the week with 16 members of the club's 1991 premiership side in attendance at the stadium they once got the fans through the gates themselves.
It was Penrith's young gun Charlie Staines, who flew down the sideline twice, and halves Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai who put on a show in the 30-10 win.
"It was a big night for the club," Ivan said.
Match: Panthers v Raiders
Round 5 -
home Team
Panthers
1st Position
away Team
Raiders
8th Position
Venue: BlueBet Stadium, Penrith
"The 1991 team ... they put the Panthers on the map and set a standard for all the teams to follow and try to live up to," Cleary said.
"There were so many great players in that team. It forces you to reflect a bit. When I came here 10 years ago and if we played a team from out of Sydney, we’d be lucky to get 5000 people here."
The Panthers overcame an error-riddled opening and were forced to play behind early after a try through Canberra's Jack Wighton.
Poetry in motion from the Panthers
Uncharacteristic fumbles from Panthers bookends James Fisher-Harris and Moses Leota gifted the Raiders some relief in defence before Liam Martin came on and added an immediate impact.
A moment of madness from Hudson Young proved momentum-swinging with the Raiders forward penalised for instigating a push and shove between both teams.
Penrith took immediate advantage of the territory gifted to them with Stephen Crichton overcoming two errors at fullback earlier to flick a pass to Staines in full flight on the way to the line.
Something special from Matt Burton
Further tries to Matt Burton and Jarome Luai midway through the first half set up the victory.
From there, the Panthers went up a gear and got into a groove every opposing NRL team over the past 12 months has experienced - a side that lacks no effort.
"I don't think we played that well, to be honest, but there were plenty of good things in terms of effort, we just failed to capitalise on lots of things," Cleary said.
"I thought it was an untidy game at times, the rucks were really slow – I felt there was a bit of spoiling going in – but you have to deal with that."
Cleary intercepts a Williams pass
