Stat Attack: Panthers v Raiders

The Panthers powered to a 30-18 win over the Canberra Raiders at GIO Stadium.

Nathan Cleary produced a halfback masterclass with a try, 2 try assists, 2 line break assists, 2 line breaks, 6 tackle breaks, 500+ kicking metres and a perfect 5/5 from the tee.

Blaize Talagi was electric on the left edge, crossing twice in the opening 20 minutes while finishing with 2 line breaks, 7 tackle breaks and 22 tackles in a standout all-round display.

Dylan Edwards was relentless at the back with a game-high 254 run metres from 26 carries, alongside 112 kick return metres, 61 post-contact metres, 1 line break and 7 tackle breaks, while Tom Jenkins (198m), Brian To’o (176m) and Casey McLean (139m and a try) also made strong contributions out wide.

Through the middle, Isaiah Papali’i led from the front with 154 run metres from 18 hit-ups, 60 post-contact metres, a try assist, line break assist and 36 tackles, while Liam Henry made a huge impression in his first NRL game of the season with 137 run metres, 39 tackles and a try assist.

Defensively, Freddy Lussick topped the tackle count with 45, supported by Henry (39), Papali’i (36) and Isaah Yeo (32) in a dominant defensive effort.

TRIES

• Blaize Talagi 4'
• Blaize Talagi 17'
• Casey McLean 32'
• Nathan Cleary 51'
• Billy Phillips 57'

GOALS

• Nathan Cleary 6'
• Nathan Cleary 18'
• Nathan Cleary 34'
• Nathan Cleary 53'
• Nathan Cleary 59'

RUN METRES

• Dylan Edwards: 254m (26 runs)
• Tom Jenkins: 198m (20 runs)
• Brian To’o: 176m (18 runs)
• Isaiah Papali’i: 154m (18 runs)
• Casey McLean: 139m (13 runs)
• Liam Henry: 137m (13 runs)
• Isaah Yeo: 126m (12 runs)

TRY ASSISTS

• Nathan Cleary: 2
• Liam Henry: 1
• Isaiah Papali’i: 1

LINE BREAKS

• Blaize Talagi: 2
• Nathan Cleary: 2
• Dylan Edwards: 1
• Casey McLean: 1

LINE BREAK ASSISTS

• Nathan Cleary: 2
• Moses Leota: 1
• Isaiah Papali’i: 1

TACKLES

• Freddy Lussick: 45
• Liam Henry: 39
• Isaiah Papali’i: 36
• Isaah Yeo: 32
• Luke Garner: 28
• Moses Leota: 26
• Scott Sorensen: 24
• Blaize Talagi: 22
• Nathan Cleary: 21 

TACKLE BREAKS

• Blaize Talagi: 7
• Dylan Edwards: 7
• Nathan Cleary: 6 

POST CONTACT METRES

• Brian To’o: 81m
• Dylan Edwards: 61m
• Isaiah Papali’i: 60m
• Tom Jenkins: 59m

KICK RETURN METRES

• Dylan Edwards: 112m

KICKING METRES

• Nathan Cleary: 505m