{"id":613199,"date":"2026-04-17T15:49:20","date_gmt":"2026-04-17T15:49:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/613199\/"},"modified":"2026-04-17T15:49:20","modified_gmt":"2026-04-17T15:49:20","slug":"cleary-sinks-dolphins-in-golden-point-raiders-pile-more-misery-on-the-storm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/613199\/","title":{"rendered":"Cleary sinks Dolphins in golden point; Raiders pile more misery on the Storm"},"content":{"rendered":"

Updated April 17, 2026 \u2014 10:57pm,first published 8:38pm<\/p>\n

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Nathan Cleary has done it again.<\/p>\n

The ice man nailed an 85th-minute field goal to clinch Penrith a thrilling 23-22 win over the gallant Dolphins in golden point.<\/p>\n

The Panthers lost Mitch Kenny to a broken leg in a sour note to Friday night\u2019s match at Darwin\u2019s TIO Stadium in oppressive heat.<\/p>\n

Cleary landed a golden-point field goal in 2024 against the Dolphins to secure a 28-26 win and he was their nemesis again.<\/p>\n

The Dolphins came back from an 18-0 deficit at halftime to rock the competition leaders and lead 22-18.<\/p>\n

\"ClearyCleary celebrates after nailing his field goal in golden point.Getty Images<\/p>\n

Panthers winger Thomas Jenkins became the first player in premiership history to score try doubles in seven straight games.<\/p>\n

His second try in the 76th minute levelled it up at 22-22, but Cleary was unable to land the sideline conversion.<\/p>\n

Dolphins half Isaiya Katoa missed a long-range 83rd minute field-goal attempt, but Cleary did not miss his from right in front.<\/p>\n

Kenny, who was in contention for the NSW No.9 jersey, was taken to hospital in the 18th minute after he was injured in a hip-drop tackle by Dolphins five-eighth Kodi Nikorima, who was sin-binned.<\/p>\n

\"MitchMitch Kenny goes down after a hip-drop tackle by Dolphins five-eighth Kodi Nikorima.Getty Images<\/p>\n

The Panthers dominated the first half, with big-name stars Cleary, Dylan Edwards and Isaah Yeo in the ascendancy and they appeared to be cruising.<\/p>\n

The Dolphins, inspired by centre Herbie Farnworth, rocketed back into it with four tries in 15 minutes to take the lead.<\/p>\n

The England international conjured up two one-on-one ball steals, the second on Panther winger Brian To\u2019o after the break, which turned the game.<\/p>\n

Farnworth weaved his way over for an athletic try.<\/p>\n

Related Article\"Panther<\/a><\/p>\n

Dazzling fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow notched a trademark long-range four-pointer, and winger Selwyn Cobbo, who had a wretched first half, bullocked over out wide.<\/p>\n

When centre Jake Averillo sliced over, the Dolphins had turned the game on its head.<\/p>\n

The defence of the Dolphins was much improved on their 52-18 loss to Manly before they had a bye. The Panthers applied the blowtorch early in the match.<\/p>\n

Cleary sliced through and his reliable partner in havoc Edwards, who threw Cleary the initial pass, backed up to score.<\/p>\n

The Panthers made the most of the extra man, with Cleary sending halves partner Blaize Talagi over.<\/p>\n

The Dolphins had their chances but errors let them down, despite the best efforts of Farnworth.<\/p>\n

Talagi set up try-scoring whiz Jenkins with a pinpoint bomb that the winger leapt high to snaffle and score on the cusp of halftime.<\/p>\n

The second half was a humdinger, thanks to the Dolphins\u2019 enterprise.<\/p>\n

Cleary had the final say, as he so often does.<\/p>\n

Injuries to Papali\u2019i, Timoko as Raiders pile more misery on the Storm<\/p>\n

Melbourne\u2019s worst start to an NRL season under coach Craig Bellamy has continued as they suffered a fifth-straight defeat, a 26-22 loss to Canberra at GIO Stadium.<\/p>\n

But the Raiders may have to count the cost of the victory, after inspirational captain Josh Papali\u2019i and centre Matt Timoko picked up injuries.<\/p>\n

Experiencing their equal-worst start to a campaign through six games since 2001, Friday night\u2019s result means the Storm (2-5) have lost five games in a row for the first time since 2012.<\/p>\n

\"SimiSimi Sasagi celebrates a try with his Raiders teammates.Getty Images<\/p>\n

Canberra centre Simi Sasagi mixed style with substance to power his side to victory, taking intercepts, scoring a try, producing an extraordinary pass to set up an Ethan Strange four-pointer and running for 182 metres.<\/p>\n

Related Article\"The<\/a><\/p>\n

Despite winning their first match against Melbourne in the nation\u2019s capital since 2016, the Storm threatened a boilover when fullback Nick Meaney crossed in the 75th minute.<\/p>\n

But some desperate goal-line defence helped the Raiders to consecutive wins and improve to a 3-4 win\/loss record, having gone into last round\u2019s clash against South Sydney on a four-match losing streak.<\/p>\n

After being moved onto the wing, Sebastian Kris was busy with 162 metres and seven tackle busts, while Ethan Sanders posted two try assists.<\/p>\n

Melbourne\u2019s defence couldn\u2019t snap into shape even after coach Bellamy said they should have \u201cgone to the pub\u201d after losing 38-14 to the Warriors last round.<\/p>\n

Fullback Sua Fa\u2019alogo was productive (186m, two try assists, one try), while Meaney registered two tries in his 100th game for the club.<\/p>\n

Canberra started hot and drew first blood when they moved right and found Sasagi, before Horsburgh scooped up a loose ball and wrestled over the line to double the deficit moments later.<\/p>\n

But the momentum swung back in the Storm\u2019s favour when Horsburgh conceded a penalty after giving the referee an earful, and Sualauvi Fa\u2019alogo scored.<\/p>\n

Will Warbrick and Meaney joined in on the try fest to give the visitors a 16-12 lead.<\/p>\n

After half-time, Sasagi took an intercept and stormed downfield before the centre threw a stunning offload to Strange, who dived over.<\/p>\n

Timoko grabbed a four-pointer in his first game of the season before Sanders slotted two penalty goals.<\/p>\n

Fa\u2019alogo tore through the Raiders\u2019 defence before handing it off to a running Meaney to set up a thrilling finish, but the hosts held on for the win.<\/p>\n

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