NRL live updates: Penrith Panthers vs Dolphins, Manly Sea Eagles vs Gold Coast Titans, North Queensland Cowboys vs Canterbury Bulldogs – blogs, scores and stats

AAP Report

Nathan Cleary announced his return to the NRL with an extra-time goal as Penrith beat the Dolphins 28-26.

Cleary, in his first game since tearing his hamstring in May, proved his worth, twice saving the Panthers in tight moments.

The centre-back scored a long-range penalty in the 75th minute to send the game into extra time, then netted a two-pointer from 45 metres out in the 82nd minute.

The Panthers rested all five Interstate Origin players and performed well below their best on Sunday in front of 20,955 fans at Panther Stadium.

But Cleary’s heroics patched up the rifts and denied Wayne Bennett’s side a win over the reigning Treble winners.

Cleary looked set to make a smooth return to the top flight, setting up Sunia Tulua before firing the ball into the net with the help of the post and clearing a low kick towards goal from the Dolphins inside the opening 10 minutes.

The only problem was that while Bennett’s men pushed forward through Tevita Pangai Jr., the rest of the Penrith squad lacked the same attacking awareness.

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow opened the scoring for the Dolphins with an easy drive and Isaiya Katoa doubled the lead for the visitors after Liam Henry lost the ball in his own half.

Paul Alamoti struck back for the Panthers, and when Ray Stone stole Mitch Kenny, Tabuai-Fidow got his second try to give the Dolphins an 18-12 lead at the half.

Tabuai-Fidow sent Jack Bostock through in the left corner early in the second half, and the Dolphins opened up a 14-point lead in the 56th minute on a penalty kick by Jamayne Isaako.

However, rather than fading, Penrith began to show some cohesion and pulled the Dolphins back with more energy.

First, prop Moses Leota drove all the way through, then backup defender Daine Laurie scored on a scrimmage run in the 63rd minute, and Cleary’s extra point cut the Dolphins’ lead to just two points.

Cleary equalized the game with a penalty kick when Josh Kerr was sent off for a foul on Trent Toelau.

Inexplicably, Katoa failed to capitalise on his shot opportunity in regulation time and Cleary made him pay with the game-winning shot that sent the home crowd into a frenzy.