The Mole's player ratings: Siosifa Talakai 'struggles' with 'vital errors' as Isaah Yeo cements 'machine' status

Penrith have qualified for a fifth-straight NRL grand final, proving too strong for the Sharks in Saturday night's prelim at Accor Stadium.

Nathan Cleary produced another masterclass in the No.7 jumper, while key forward Isaah Yeo was at his best in a record-breaking game for the club.

As for the Sharks, they will again be forced to do some soul searching, falling short in another big game at the business-end of the season.

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The Mole analyses and rates every player's performance below.

PENRITH PANTHERS

1. Dylan Edwards

Put under plenty of pressure by Trindall's smart kicking game but handled most of the challenge well despite greasy conditions. Needless to say, passed the 250 metre run mark. Rating: 7.5

2. Sunia Turuva

Saved a try with great desperation and was unlucky to have a try struck off by the bunker. Rating: 6.5

3. Izack Tago

Didn't get many chances come his way in a tight match but mopped up well in defence. Rating: 6

4. Paul Alamoti

What a time to score his first career double - also had a try assist taken off him on the night he came of age as an NRL player. Rating: 8

5. Brian To'o

Produced one of his trademark games, running the Panthers out of trouble with 200 plus metres and being rewarded with a vital try. Rating: 8

6. Jarome Luai

Once again the perfect foil for Cleary, coming up with some smart attacking plays as the Penrith attacking machine clicked into gear. Rating: 7.5

7. Nathan Cleary

Created every Panthers try until he left the field, kicked a vital 40/20 and led his troops around the park superbly. Bring on Jahrome Hughes! Rating: 9

8. Moses Leota

Relatively quiet in attack but rock solid in the middle in defence. Rating: 6

9. Mitch Kenny

Topped the tackle count but a little untidy from dummyhalf in a worrying sign for next week. Rating: 5.5

10. James Fisher-Harris

Set the scene for a massive ending to his Panthers career with a strong game up the middle in attack and defence. Rating: 7.5

11. Luke Garner

Scored two tries last-up but the ball rarely came his way this time around. Rating: 5

12. Liam Martin

Overcame an early HIA to put his stamp on the game with some bruising hits and a late try. Rating: 7

13. Isaah Yeo

An absolute machine - played virtually the full match and ran for nearly 200 metres, giving Cleary time and space. Rating: 8

14. Brad Schneider

Got six minutes late in the game when Cleary jarred his shoulder but the battle was won and lost by that stage. Rating: 2

15. Lindsay Smith

Produced some good offloads at vital times and solid in defence - a real find this season. Rating: 6

16. Liam Henry

Somehow avoided a HIA after a heavy knock, showing his toughness to still run for over 100 metres. Rating: 6

17. Matt Eisenhuth

Followed coach Cleary's instructions, lifting the intensity in his 30 minutes of game time off the bench. Rating: 5.5

CRONULLA SHARKS

1. William Kennedy

Ran for 150 metres but had just two tackle breaks through the well-drilled Panthers defence. Rating: 6

2. Sione Katoa

Led the Sharks in running metres despite a painful hit to the kidneys and scored a wonderful try. Rating: 7.5

14. Siosifa Talakai

Struggled containing the younger, faster and more mobile Alamoti and made a couple of vital errors. Rating: 4

4. Kayal Iro

Came up with some fine desperation defence but rarely saw time or space with the ball. Rating: 6

5. Ronaldo Mulitalo

Like Iro, couldn't get the chances he needed to make an impact on a frustrating night for the Sharks backline. Rating: 5.5

6. Braydon Trindall

The Sharks' most dangerous attacking player but couldn't reproduce his magical display from last week against a stronger defence. Rating: 7

7. Nicho Hynes

Has copped plenty of criticism in the big games - and once again came up with very little when his team needed some spark. Rating: 5

8. Toby Rudolf

The Sharks' best metre eater, running for over 150 metres - no mean feat against the brutal Panthers defence. Rating: 7.5

9. Blayke Brailey

Topped the tackle count and created some half chances at dummy-half but was well marked by the Penrith middles. Rating: 7

10. Oregon Kaufusi

Didn't make much impact up front and had a couple of errors in his game. Rating: 5

11. Briton Nikora

Finished his best season strongly, creating the Sharks' lone try and threatening out wide every time the ball came his way. Rating: 7

12. Teig Wilton

Enjoyed a good year but this wasn't a night where he was able to have much influence on the game. Rating: 5.5

13. Cameron McInnes

Worked at 100 per cent from start to finish but never caused the Panthers any great problems. Rating: 7

15. Jack Williams

Disappointing from the bench, making just 50 metres from six runs in his 20 minutes of game time. Rating: 4

16. Royce Hunt

Has been great off the bench in the lead-up games but the Panthers never allowed him to get going. Rating: 4.5

17. Thomas Hazelton

A HIA dulled his impact off the bench but can hold his head up for his breakthrough season in the NRL. Rating: 5

18. Daniel Atkinson

Was given a chance to spark the Sharks off the bench with his speed and class but was shut down every time he got the ball. Rating: 4.5