LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
Nathan Cleary and the Penrith Panthers suffered a brutal blow in their NRL opener against the Melbourne Storm, failing to put any points on the board in a disappointing 8-0 loss.
The Storm, under the guidance of Craig Bellamy, continued their incredible streak of opening round victories to 22 years, showcasing their dominance in the competition.
Cleary, who is aiming for a historic fourth straight premiership title with the Panthers, was left frustrated as his team struggled to make an impact on the scoreboard.
This match marked a rare occasion in Cleary's career where he was unable to lead his team to a single point, highlighting the formidable defensive efforts of the Storm.
The Panthers will need to regroup quickly after this setback, especially as they look to bounce back from a string of recent scoreless defeats in key matchups.