Halfback Nathan Cleary faces an anxious wait to learn whether he is charged over a lifting tackle after spearheading Penrith Panthers to an epic 10-6 defeat over the Melbourne Storm in Brisbane.
The win avenged last year's Grand Final defeat, and sets up a replay of the opening round of the playoffs against South Sydney Rabbitohs,
Cleary was placed on report for the second-half tackle on Kenny Bromwich at Suncorp Stadium in an enthralling match where the Panthers defence withstood wave after wave of Storm attack.
Melbourne lost influential prop Christian Welch and Kiwis international Brandon Smith in the early exchanges and committed uncharacteristic errors, with the premiers completing just nine of 25 sets in the first half and 17 of 23 in the second half.
The only try of the first half was scored by winger Stephen Crichton in the fourth minute after Cleary showed tremendous vision, executing a pinpoint cross kick from dummy-half that allowed his teammate to dot down untouched.
Cleary was then placed on report in the 24th minute for a lifting tackle on Kenny Bromwich as Melbourne threatened points every time they came forward, but time after time a mistake was found thanks to the Panthers wall in front of them.
Playmaker James Luai returned to the park early in the second spell after leaving late in the first for an HIA assessment and his inclusion conceded with the Panthers second try.
The five-eighth combined with second-rower Viliame Kikau to put winger Brian To'o over for a 43rd-minute try, but Cleary was unable to convert and the 10-0 lead did not seem to be enough as Melbourne lifted the intensity in a desperate bid to keep alive their hopes of back-to-back premierships.
Star fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen eventually broke Penrith's resistance when he pounced on a Munster grubber to score in the 64th minute.
However, Penrith's defensive resolve was unwavering and they held on to ground out a gritty 10-6 win.
