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- Penrith beat Sydney 30-10 to seal NRL preliminary final spot
- Star half-back plays key role in win after overcoming injury
Nathan Cleary has turbo-charged Penrith’s pursuit of a fourth-straight NRL premiership as the Panthers booked a preliminary final berth by manhandling the Sydney Roosters on the way to a 30-10 win. In their farewell game at Panthers Stadium before its redevelopment, Ivan Cleary’s men ensured the 21,483 packed into the venue went home happy after a one-sided qualifying final victory over the Roosters.
And in a further encouraging sign for the Panthers, halfback Cleary showed no hints of rust on Friday night on his return from a shoulder injury. Penrith’s No 7 was given an early mark, taken off with four minutes to go as the Panthers earned the right to enjoy a week off before their preliminary final at Accor Stadium.