So impressive was teenager Nathan Cleary's role in Penrith's 38-18 win over the Sydney Roosters that rival players and coaches were left in awe and running out of superlatives.
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The 18-year-old halfback was sensational in the 20-point win, scoring one try and creating another with a spectacular cross-field kick while bursting through the line. It was the moment that had the home crowd in jubilation as Cleary split the Roosters defence with a burst of pace before chipping into the corner while running at full pace, finding Tyrone Peachey on the opposite flank to score.
It drew praises from both coaching boxes as well as from rival opponents who believe the Panthers have unearthed a future star.
"He was exceptional, he led from the front as an 18-year-old so it's pretty impressive," Roosters coach Trent Robinson said.
Despite his lack of experience, Cleary is proving to be a revelation for the Panthers' NRL side where he plays with the composure of a veteran in his ability to steer and direct his side. He opened the scoring with an attack at the Roosters line which he breached with a burst of pace and strength rarely seen from a player of his age. His composure off the boot continued with five goals, many of them struck from difficult angles.
"He's doing a great job and his kicking game is good. I have to give a rap to Bryce [Cartwright] and Matty Moylan, Peter Wallace - the guys around him. They're keeping him calm and pointing him in the right direction but he did a good job tonight for us," Penrith coach Anthony Griffin said.
By contrast, the Roosters were lamenting the absence of halfback Mitchell Pearce who was a late withdrawal due to a calf injury. Robinson believes their lack of direction and poor kicking was the catalyst for their inability to gain a foothold on the contest and apply any form of sustained pressure.
"When you lose your halfback and he guides you around the park, it's very difficult. The pressure that we couldn't apply, and a team like that ends up having a lot of freedom around the place. If we can't put them in awkward positions with good kicks and good pressure then they play with a bit more freedom then that's what happens," Robinson said.
Ryan Matterson was thrown into the starting team to accompany Connor Watson in the halves for the Roosters but that late upheaval caused plenty of problems.
"It's hard when you take an experienced player out and then you ask those guys to do that job, it's really tough," Robinson said.
