Canberra fans did not know whether to cry or stand and applaud.
The Raiders trailed 30-18 with 12 minutes on the clock at GIO Stadium, and were about to get a fresh attacking set, only for the game’s best player, Nathan Cleary, to have other ideas.
Cleary drilled a dropout low and left before it took a wicked bounce and somehow travelled the required 10m and rolled into touch.
Canberra centre Seb Kris could not believe what he had just seen.
Paul Gallen on the Nine commentary laughed and said: “That was unplayable – that was perfection.” Brad Fittler preferred to use the words “unfair”.
Before you head to work or school on Monday, Google Cleary’s dropout and enjoy what most others in the game are completely incapable of doing.
Cleary himself said of the kick: “I saw a little bit of space, and to be honest, we haven’t been very good at getting the balls back with the short dropouts in the air. I thought I’d take a chance. I’m happy it came off.”
Penrith marched to their ninth win in 10 games with a 30-18 victory. The way Canterbury have performed the past month, it beggars belief the Panthers’ only loss came at their expense.
Canberra played well, got to the end of their sets, and had their own moments where they looked dangerous, especially when Ethan Strange had the ball.
But Cleary was the difference and delivered when his team needed him the most.
Apart from the sensational dropout, Cleary scored a try from close range when he steamed through some soft defence. He also made a break approaching half-time before sending Casey McLean over for a four-pointer.
He made one handling error after fumbling a short ball from Izack Tago on the first tackle, but Canberra failed to punish the mistake.
Cleary’s form is a great thing for Penrith and also NSW with the first Origin team of the year to be picked next week. Origin remains the final frontier for Cleary, with the halfback himself happy to tell you it remains the only arena he has failed to regularly dominate.
Dylan Edwards was rock-solid in attack and defence and did little to help coach Laurie Daley with the fullback debate. Edwards was great, but so was James Tedesco on Friday night. It is a fantastic problem for Daley to have.
Penrith coach Ivan Cleary said: “I thought Dyl was outstanding. You know what, if we’re talking about taking Dyl Edwards out of the Origin team, we must be going well. Let’s just say that.”
And what about McLean and the merit in him slotting on to the wing for the Blues? Latrell Mitchell will be the Blues’ left centre if he shakes off a minor back injury, but McLean could easily play outside him.
Penrith wasted no time getting across the line via Blaize Talagi, who strolled through soft defence from Simi Sasagi and Kris. The Raiders pair needed to be better, especially so early in the game when they were still fresh.
Ethan Sanders hit back for the home side, only for the Panthers to reclaim the lead when Talagi scored his second. The Panthers had a bit of joy down their left with a good run from McLean, followed up by Isaiah Papali’i, who threw the final ball for his five-eighth.
Canberra lost back-rower Sasagi before half-time with a left shoulder complaint.
Raiders fans will claim they were hard done by when Billy Phillips was awarded a four-pointer midway through the second half. Savelio Tamale appeared to strip the ball from Phillips, but the bunker had plenty of other angles not available to those at the ground.
The Raiders had chances to push for points late, but lacked the polish – and patience – to build any pressure, let alone score. They are chugging in the right direction, will freshen up after the bye, then enjoy a run of games at home.
Penrith soldier on to Magic Round and St George Illawarra, which could be a bloodbath to round out the weekend in Brisbane.
