![\"Cleary](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/849c30b45bfa5326cd8efe26099ba551.jpeg\")
<\/p>\nNSW fans and Laurie Daley will be holding their collective breaths after star of Game 1, Casey McLean, went down injured during Penrith\u2019s demolition job of the Tigers.<\/p>\n
The Panthers set another historic first on Sunday afternoon, as they recorded the biggest ever win in their history with a 68-0 drubbing of the Wests Tigers at CommBank Stadium.<\/p>\n
The win eclipsed the 60-point margin they defeated the Sea Eagles by (72-12) back in 2004. <\/p>\n
It Iis also the fifth-biggest win in NRL\/NSWRL history.<\/p>\n
However, it wasn\u2019t all positive with boom centre McLean hobbling off injured, taking the shine off what was an otherwise perfect day.<\/p>\n
Just minutes into the second half, the Panthers centre went down hard on his ankle after catching a bomb.<\/p>\n
The 20-year-old managed to get to his feet after receiving treatment, but he only lasted one more set before hopping from the field in a hurry.<\/p>\n
You can watch the incident in the player above.<\/p>\n
McLean received treatment in the sheds before returning to the exercise bike on the sidelines, but did return on Sunday afternoon. <\/p>\n
The Panthers have indicated it was suspected ankle impingement – pain cause by soft tissue getting pinched between the bones.<\/p>\n
If nothing more than an impingement McLean will be unlikely to miss any time.<\/p>\n
However, post-match Ivan Cleary confirmed he will go for scans to see the extent of the injury. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019ll get a scan\u2026 but I think he\u2019ll be alright,\u201d coach Cleary said post-match.<\/p>\n
Daley and Blues fans will now face a nervous wait to see if he is cleared to be picked in Game 2. <\/p>\n
Teams will be announced on Monday morning.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Panthers make mess of hapless Tigers<\/p>\n
The Tigers had no answers for a purring Panthers side on Sunday, and Jarome Luai copped much of the blame.<\/p>\n
At half time, the Tigers found themselves 36-0, and former Roosters star Luke Keary delivered a brutal message to Luai, after a horror first half where he ran for only 21 metres and missed five tackles.<\/p>\n
\u201cJarome has to stand up. He hasn\u2019t brought them success… they haven\u2019t done anything while he\u2019s been there,\u201d Keary said.<\/p>\n
Penrith came out humming again in the second half, slicing the Tigers\u2019 defence open at will. <\/p>\n
Penrith finished the match with 16 line breaks to the Tigers\u2019 one.<\/p>\n
Tom Jenkins increased his lead as the top tryscorer in the NRL with another double, as he recorded five line breaks and ran for 276 metres. <\/p>\n
While Nathan Cleary scored a try in his 22-point match as he almost certainly secured another 6 Dally M points leaving his teammates in disbelief again.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt the moment he\u2019s playing at the top of his game and you can see he\u2019s extremely confident,\u201d said Panthers skipper Isaah Yeo.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s been outstanding all year.\u201d<\/p>\n