Updated ,first published
What a week it was for Casey McLean.
Four days after producing a NSW Origin cameo to remember, McLean was the hero for Penrith as they scored an epic 20-18 won over the New Zealand Warriors.
The Warriors were pushing hard for the winner with two minutes remaining, enjoyed a few repeat sets, then McLean tackled fullback Taine Tuaupiki and forced the ball free.
The 20-year-old also bagged a first-half double; in his second try he positioned himself beautifully in front of Dallin Watene-Zelezniak to catch a Jack Cogger cross-field kick.
McLean is such a joy to watch and has a huge future. The same can be said for the Panthers and Warriors, who deserved better than a Sunday evening kick-off, and are a good chance of meeting on grand final day.
Penrith coach Ivan Cleary loved what he saw from McLean at Accor Stadium against Queensland and went as far to say his performance proved the difference against the Warriors.
“He was outstanding, awesome, he likes playing against his Kiwi mates as well,” Cleary said.
“I got asked about him playing on the wing [for NSW] a few weeks back, I know he’s played there, but he hadn’t done pretty much any reps there. Then he goes out [on Wednesday] in the pouring rain and attacked everything … I’m glad he plays for us.”
Stand-in captain Dylan Edwards, left heartbroken when denied his own Blues’ dream, was another to star for the Panthers.
Edwards, who lost his NSW No.1 jersey to James Tedesco, was asked to lead his club with Blues trio Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo and Brian To’o all rested.
During a 10-minute surge in the second half, Edwards shoved former teammate and Warriors rival James Fisher-Harris when he started heckling Paul Alamoti for slipping and letting in a Warriors try. It was very out of character for the mild-mannered Fisher-Harris and Edwards reacted by shoving him before a melee erupted.
Referee Gerard Sutton was clearly unimpressed and read the riot act to the experienced pair.
“This is not up for debate or discussion,” Sutton told both captains.
“There is a try scored, and you come in and want to get in their face.
“If it kicks off, you will lose blokes; the responsibility is on both you guys to get your fellas out. If you don’t do that, I will sit someone down if it happens again. The game is at a critical stage.”
Fisher-Harris said he did not say anything to Alamoti, and revealed after the game: “I just clapped five times, it got a bit heated. I know those boys, it was the heat of the battle, we were just having fun out there.”
The fact Edwards refused to back down from one of the most physically imposing men in rugby league sent the perfect message to his teammates.
He then saved what could have been a contender for try of the year when the Warriors spread the ball through the hands, only for Edwards to chop down Jacob Laban as the last line of defence.
The tireless fullback popped up at the other end of the field and threw the final pass for Alamoti to put Penrith back in the lead.
Cheeky McLean made a point of verbally lashing Fisher-Harris as he joined in the try celebrations.
Cleary said Edwards, not for the first time, produced a proper “captain’s knock”.
Penrith will love this win because of the personnel they had resting, and their try-line defence.
Rarely do they give teams much of an opportunity to score, and the Warriors bombed a few of those limited opportunities in the first half, which may have cost them the win.
Laban scored, but Ali Leiataua was denied a four-pointer because he was offside, a final ball from Te Maire Martin to Adam Pompey for a possible four-pointer sailed forward, and Tanner Stowers-Smith knocked on just metres from the line.
The Warriors were brilliant and will lose no admirers, including the vocal locals in attendance at CommBank Stadium.
After a third straight week on the road, they will enjoy the bye. They will also welcome the return of Origin duo Kurt Capewell and Mitch Barnett.
Centre Izack Tago produced the best hit of the game on Harris-Tavita, but he was later informed he had been placed on report for the bell-ringer. Luke Garner will be fined for pulling Watene-Zelezniak’s long locks.
