Less than 24 hours after Brisbane dismantled Melbourne, the premiers had too much class for the New Zealand Warriors on Saturday afternoon.<\/p>\n
They triumphed 32-6 at BlueBet Stadium in front of 21,525 fans, which included a healthy number who started shuffling towards the exit more than 10 minutes before full-time.<\/p>\n
Cleary was excellent for Penrith, running the show without regular halves partner Jarome Luai.<\/p>\n
Luai told the TV coverage before kick-off he was on track to return in a fortnight from a dislocated shoulder.<\/p>\n
Cleary had a hand in the first try for Brian To\u2019o and set up Liam Martin for the second. He showed good speed to split the defence and score late in the game to seal the result.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Nathan Cleary (right) celebrates after his late try.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Getty<\/cite><\/p>\n Penrith are looking to become the first team since Parramatta in the early 1980s to win three straight titles. The prospect of a Broncos-Panthers grand final is mouthwatering.<\/p>\n They will both start as favourites in their respective clashes in week three of the finals. A week off at this time of year to overcome bumps and bruises can prove vital.<\/p>\n Provided both teams advance to the decider, good luck trying to work out who wins.<\/p>\n The Warriors had 35 per cent of possession in the first half, and were entitled to run out of steam in the second.<\/p>\n But they continued to aim up, and even scored through Wayde Egan. Mitch Barnett did well to keep the play alive before Rocco Berry and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak charged down the right of the field and the ball was rifled back in field for their dummy half.<\/p>\n The way they finished the game will give their fans confidence for next week\u2019s semi-final on New Zealand soil. They will play the winner of Sunday\u2019s game between Newcastle and Canberra.<\/p>\n Shaun Johnson is hopeful but no certainty to return from a calf injury. The Warriors were not taking chances and caught a private jet back to Auckland late on Saturday.<\/p>\n Skipper Tohu Harris was placed on report for a crusher tackle, but should have nothing to worry about.<\/p>\n For Penrith, it was their seventh straight finals triumph. They have the big-game experience, the depth, and Cleary.<\/p>\n A Cleary penalty goal right on half-time handed the home side a convincing 20-0 lead.<\/p>\n To\u2019o was the first to score in the opening minutes after a Marcelo Montoya error invited the Panthers to go on the attack.<\/p>\n Cleary attacked the line before throwing a pass for Moses Leota, who went to the line and fired the cutout ball for his pint-sized winger to do the rest.<\/p>\n The Warriors thought they had hit back through Dylan Walker, but Adam Pompey was pinged by the bunker for an obstruction.<\/p>\n Penrith were finding it easy to make metres down the ground, and doubled the lead midway through the half when Liam Martin stormed over from close range.<\/p>\n When Sunia Turuva dived over in the corner on the half-hour mark, the Panthers fans were quietly confident their side would be resting up next weekend.<\/p>\n Walker started in the halves, as expected, for the injured Johnson while Luke Garner, the former Wests Tigers back-rower who was celebrating Mad Monday this time last year, started at right centre for the injured Izack Tago.<\/p>\n Stream the NRL Premiership 2023 live and free on <\/b>9Now<\/b>. <\/b><\/p>\n Sports news, results and expert commentary. <\/i><\/b>Sign up for our Sport newsletter<\/i><\/b>.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\nMost Viewed in Sport<\/h2>\n
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