Nathan Cleary said he will “probably end up with a bruised chest” after his matchwinning play lifted Penrith to an 8-6 win over the Bulldogs.
Cleary turned something into nothing in the 53rd minute when he charged down a Matt Burton kick before chasing it down to regather it and score.
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It was the Panthers’ only try of what was an low scoring but enthralling contest.
The world’s best halfback provided some fascinating insight into what he saw on the play.
“It sort of just happened in the moment really. It wasn’t a plan, just something I recognised in the moment,” Cleary told the media contingent at the Panthers’ post-match presser.
“I sort of saw the guys outside of him were in front of him so he couldn’t pass it
“I’ll probably end up with a bruised chest. He kicked it that hard into it.”
It’s Cleary’s first NRL try from a charge down.
When asked by a journalist if he had ever recorded a charge down, Cleary recalled an embarrassing Origin moment.
“There was a charge down I had in an Origin game in 2022 in Perth and the ball bounced back over my head and I had visions of that as the ball was bouncing (against the Bulldogs),” he said.
“Luckily I got a good bounce.”
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On Origin, Blues fans will no doubt be pleased to see Cleary get through the game without an issue.
The star half has been dealing with a minor groin issue since just before Game II. Against the Bulldogs, Cleary didn’t kick for goal but did do the bulk of the field kicking.
There was commentary this week that Cleary could be in doubt for the decider, but based on Thursday night, the Blues should have their man in 13 days time.
“It was good. Didn’t really have any scares at all,” he said post-game.
“I think this week I got two solid training sessions in. I’m thankful for the Penrith and NSW physios who put a lot of work into me which got me into the right headspace to play.”
