LeagueNews.co | Nick Loken
Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai are standing shoulder to shoulder, ready to steer the Penrith Panthers towards a historical fourth consecutive NRL Premiership title.
Cleary, back in action after a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a hamstring injury, masterminded a dominant 46-10 victory over the Dragons last weekend, showing the rest of the competition that the Panthers mean business as the finals approach.
The star playmaker, who missed the State of Origin series, put on a show by scoring three tries, setting up two more, and racking up an impressive 242 metres with the ball in hand.
Sharing playmaking duties with Luai, who will be moving on to the Wests Tigers next season, Cleary revealed that their seamless partnership on the field is a result of years of playing together, from their days in under 16s right up to now.
Cleary's return sparked a change in roles, with the duo modifying their responsibilities to maximize their impact on the game.
Despite speculation about Luai's impending departure, the dynamic duo remains focused on the task at hand, using their telepathic connection to outsmart opposition defenses and create scoring opportunities.
With a legacy of three premierships already under their belt, Cleary and Luai are determined to add another chapter to their success story by leading the Panthers to glory once again.
As they gear up for the finals, the Panthers are ready to unleash their full potential, with Cleary and Luai at the helm, steering the team towards the ultimate prize.