Stat Attack: Panthers v Eels

The Panthers produced a trademark comeback to overturn an early 12-0 deficit and defeat the Eels 24-18, showing plenty of grit to extend their lead at the top of the NRL ladder despite spending 20 minutes with just 12 men.

Co-captain Nathan Cleary was instrumental in the fightback, finishing with two try assists, two line break assists, a line break of his own and four goals from four attempts. The halfback also ran for 150 metres from 19 carries and booted an enormous 581 kicking metres as he controlled the contest when the Panthers needed him most.

Brian To'o was once again unstoppable through the middle, producing a team-high 221 running metres from 21 carries while breaking eight tackles and adding 87 post-contact metres. Paul Alamoti was equally damaging on the edges, finishing with 145 running metres and matching To'o with eight tackle breaks in another powerful display.

Thomas Jenkins bounced back from a first-half sin bin to score the match-sealing try, taking his season tally to a club-record 26 tries. The winger also ran for 127 metres from 18 carries and set up Casey McLean's first-half try with a superb tap-back from Nathan Cleary's pinpoint kick.

Liam Henry ignited the Panthers' comeback with the equalising try shortly after half-time, finishing with a line break in an influential performance through the middle. Liam Martin continued the momentum with the go-ahead try and added a line break, five tackle breaks and 27 tackles in a typically wholehearted display.

Freddy Lussick impressed in the middle, leading the defensive effort with a team-high 39 tackles while also registering a try assist and line break assist. Isaiah Papali'i (37 tackles), Isaah Yeo (36), Blaize Talagi (32) and Scott Sorensen (28) all made important defensive contributions as the Panthers held firm despite twice being reduced to 12 men.

The Panthers combined resilience with clinical execution to reel in the Eels after a slow start, securing a valuable victory that moves them four competition points clear at the top of the ladder.

TRIES

• Casey McLean 16'
• Liam Henry 50'
• Liam Martin 56'
• Thomas Jenkins 66'

GOALS

• Nathan Cleary 17'
• Nathan Cleary 51'
• Nathan Cleary 57'
• Nathan Cleary 68'

RUN METRES

• Brian To'o: 221m (21 runs)
• Nathan Cleary: 150m (19 runs)
• Paul Alamoti: 145m (15 runs)
• Tom Jenkins: 127m (18 runs)

TRY ASSISTS

• Nathan Cleary: 2
• Blaize Talagi: 1
• Tom Jenkins: 1
• Freddy Lussick: 1

LINE BREAKS

• Brian To'o: 1
• Liam Henry: 1
• Liam Martin: 1
• Nathan Cleary: 1

LINE BREAK ASSISTS

• Nathan Cleary: 2
• Freddy Lussick: 1
• Lindsay Smith: 1

TACKLES

• Freddy Lussick: 39
• Isaiah Papali'i: 37
• Isaah Yeo: 36
• Blaize Talagi: 32
• Scott Sorensen: 28
• Liam Martin: 27
• Casey McLean: 27

TACKLE BREAKS

• Brian To'o: 8
• Paul Alamoti: 8
• Liam Martin: 5

POST CONTACT METRES

• Brian To'o: 87

KICKING METRES

• Nathan Cleary: 581m