Last year, it was Jarome Luai’s argument with Jaeman Salmon in a 13-12 loss to Brisbane to open the season. In 2022, it was a five-game suspension which saw Nathan Cleary sidelined until the first week of the finals and the year before that, it was the halfback’s banged-up shoulder that was the talk of the NRL. This season, however, even when Cleary re-aggravated his hamstring injury during a 16-10 win over the Bulldogs, there was never really any cause for concern.
No one was prepared to make the same mistake, to question greatness and bet against a champion team that proved time and time again that in the moments that mattered, they would always deliver. But when Cleary walked off the field clutching at his shoulder a fortnight ago, and after Penrith backed that loss to Melbourne up with a surprise 22-18 defeat to Canberra, public perception started to shift. W atch every game of every round this NRL Telstra Premiership Season LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on Kayo.
New to Kayo? Start your free trial today > It coincided with the Panthers dropping down to fourth on the ladder and suddenly staring at the very real possibility of facing a trip to Melbourne in the first week of the finals. Once again, chinks in the armour had started to form. This seemingly impenetrable fortress was starting to look like it was standing on shaky ground.
Panthers coach Ivan Cleary also started to change his tune. Never the type to offer too much in press conferences, he publicly questio.