Ethan Sanders is really stepping up to the mark for the Raiders, but Cleary presented him with a master class in Penrith’s win against the Raiders on the weekend. Photo: Jaye Grieshaber.
The Panthers and the Raiders pretty much went set-for-set for 50 minutes before the competition leaders asserted their dominance at GIO on Sunday (10 May).
In the first 40 minutes, the Raiders completed 20 from 20 sets and the Panthers 18 from 18.
In a match played with finals intensity, Panthers half Nathan Cleary proved to be the difference as he put on a play-making master class.
When the game was in the balance, Cleary stepped up.
Nathan Cleary stepped up to show his class. Photo: Jaye Grieshaber.
The statistics probably don’t tell the full story, but Cleary kicked for 511 metres, scored a try, set up another two, kicked five from five and made 21 tackles.
Despite his dominance, Cleary was full of praise for his opposite in the Raiders’ seven jersey, Ethan Sanders, saying he has a massive future.
High praise indeed when you consider Sanders was playing in only his 14th NRL game, while Cleary has over 200 NRL games and 18 Origins. He is the leading halfback this season.
Sanders, with two tackle busts, kicked for 643 metres and kicked three from three to hold his own against the Origin champion.
Raiders coach Ricky Stuart said it was an on-field education for his two young halves, Sanders and 21-year-old Ethan Strange.
“Those two young halves, seeing what Nathan Cleary does tonight, playing against him, feeling it, seeing it, it is such a benefit to those two boys. That’s just an education. You can’t get that on a video.”
Two of the Raiders young stars; Ethan Sanders with Ethan Strange. Photo: Jaye Grieshaber.
It augurs well for the future with the Raiders fielding one of the youngest spines in the NRL with 24-year-old fullback Kaeo Weekes and hooker in waiting, 22-year-old Owen Pattie.
Pattie has been forced to bide his time with Tom Starling in career-best form.
Losses, no doubt, test the patience of supporters, but the future is looking bright.
A tough schedule has also tested the Raiders with four games in 18 days. The bye is coming at the right time.
When the Magic Round schedule for next weekend in Brisbane was first released, there was a certain amount of indignation.
That indignation has turned into relief as the injury roster begins to take a toll.
The Raiders return to GIO on 21 May to take on the high-scoring Dolphins. Get your tickets from Ticketek.
Original Article published by Tim Gavel on Region Canberra.
