The Roosters showed how to rattle Cleary, and it wasn’t always legal. How will he respond?

August 18, 2026 — 5:00am

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You could almost actually see the cogs spinning behind Nathan Cleary’s eyes as the dressing room cameras zoomed in on the Panthers playmaker.

Sat in the bowels of Commbank Stadium after being rumbled by the Roosters last Thursday night, Cleary stewed and stared into space.

One of the underrated aspects of this Penrith dynasty has been their ability to recalibrate when a rival finds a chink in their armour.

Two months before their 2024 grand final win over Melbourne, the Storm did a number on Brian To’o – scoring two tries from kicks aimed towards the pint-sized powerhouse in a late-season upset.

When the decider rolled around, the Panthers returned the favour, smothering the Storm’s two-metre wide men once they’d landed, effectively nullifying their aerial threat.

Melbourne are the opponents once more this Thursday, and Cleary – possessor of one of the most meticulous minds rugby league has known – will have been replaying that........

© Brisbane Times