First-year brute Nathan Cleary helps Storm keep their incredible NRL record.

In the first NRL round, the Penrith Panthers were taken aback.

With an 8-0 victory over Nathan Cleary and the Penrith Panthers, the Melbourne Storm extended their winning streak in the NRL’s opening round to 22 years under Craig Bellamy. In an intense first-round match against a Storm squad without Cameron Munster, Cleary and the Panthers were outplayed. Although they still have a lot of work ahead of them, the team is hoping to add a historic fourth consecutive premiership championship to their record.

Furthermore, it’s incredible to note that the Panthers haven’t been shut out since their round 22 loss to the Storm in 2022. In round 13 of their 2015 season, the Panthers lost 20-0 to the Storm and were also held scoreless.

Furthermore, but for Cleary has played for the Panthers for the first time in his successful career, and the team has not scored a goal. Although Cleary made his debut in 2016, head coach Cleary rested numerous players, including his son, thus he was not on the pitch for the Panthers’ scoreless game in 2022.

After the Panthers’ World Club Challenge loss to Wigan on Friday night, they were unable to synchronize for the second time this season, and Cleary was at a loss for ideas. The Panthers were held scoreless in the second half of that game, but ultimately fell 16–12.

Australian footballer and coach in rugby league
After keeping Nathan Cleary and the Penrith Panthers scoreless in an 8-0 victory, the Melbourne Storm extended their NRL first-round winning streak to 22 years under Craig Bellamy. The Panthers, led by Cleary, are hoping to add a historic fourth consecutive premiership victory to their record. However, they face a difficult task ahead of them after being outmatched in a hard-fought opening round encounter against a Storm squad that is without Cameron Munster.

Furthermore, it’s incredible to note that the Panthers haven’t been shut out since their round 22 loss to the Storm in 2022. In 2015, during round 13, the Panthers were again held scoreless in a 20-0 loss to the

Nathan Cleary runs the ball as Dylan Edwards and Cleary respond.
Nathan Cleary (shown right) played in his first-ever scoreless club match as the Penrith Panthers lost 8-0 while Cleary and the Storm were held scoreless. (Photo courtesy of Getty Images)
Not only that, but for the first time in his illustrious career, Cleary has played for the Panthers and the club has failed to score a goal. Cleary made his debut in 2016, but he was not on the field for the Panthers’ scoreless game in 2022 because head coach Cleary chose to rest several players, including his son.

After the Panthers’ World Club Challenge loss to Wigan on Friday night, they were unable to synchronize for the second time this season, and Cleary was at a loss for ideas.

Now that the Panthers have played rugby league for 120 minutes without scoring a point, coach Ivan Cleary will be searching for solutions to the team’s awkward offensive style. Following his transfer to the Bulldogs, center Stephen Crichton seemed to be a hindrance to the Panthers outside halves Cleary and Jarome Luai.

And as the Storm held on to a tense victory without Maroons five-eighth Munster, supporters were scathing of the defending champions. The Storm’s attendance in supporting coach Craig Bellamy in maintaining his winning record in the first round was also lauded by the crowd.