The Penrith Panthers have been dealt a major blow, with star halfback Nathan Cleary’s NRL season in doubt due to a shoulder injury.
Cleary suffered the injury early in NSW’s 26-0 State of Origin Game 2 win over Queensland, with reports that scans on Tuesday located a tear in his shoulder. Surgery is currently being considered, which could rule him out for the remainder of the season.
The star number seven has already been ruled out of Origin 3 by Blues coach Brad Fittler, who had already admitted that Cleary was “pretty unlikely” to get up for July 14’s series finale.
“He went down pretty hard on his shoulder,” Fittler said on SEN Radio.
“We’re just sort of hoping that everything will be good enough that he’ll be back fighting for the Panthers soon enough.
“He’s had a great start to the season, and he’s under a lot of pressure, but he more than stood up on the big stage.”
The news is a hammer blow to the Panthers’ premiership hopes, with the co-captain enjoying a tremendous year to leave the Panthers sitting second on the ladder heading into the final home-and-away rounds. Albeit without a number of other stars on Origin duty, the Panthers’ consecutive losses sans Cleary to the Tigers and Sharks suggests that filling his shoes will be difficult.
The outgoing Matt Burton is likely to replace Cleary at seven in the Panthers’ starting line-up, but according to Nine News reporter Michael Chammas, the club’s injury dispensation should he be ruled out for the remainder of the season could encourage them to lure a rival halfback to Bluebet Stadium.
With the Blues having already secured the Origin series with Sunday night’s win, the news is only a minor blip. The Eels’ Mitchell Moses and the Rabbitohs’ Adam Reynolds are rumoured to be the likeliest replacements for Cleary in their Game 3 squad.
Follow along with all the latest team news for Origin 3 here on The Roar.
Bingo
Roar Rookie
A half needs a decent forward pack. You’ve still got to win the middle - that’s why NSW lost in 2020 with Cleary at 7.
Timnaik O'Shaughnessy
Roar Rookie
Rats. I was looking forward to the Storm-Panthers fixture on July 21 expecting all the stars to be available for that one.
steveng
Roar Rookie
You are right but Freddy might go that way as he's been in these contests this year while anyone anyone that comes in might do the same. Freddy has allot of options let's see what he does? IMO Reynolds is the go as I've said this is his other option.
Turnbuckle
Guest
Used to losing, isn’t really something that you want. His losing the ball in the first game & runs weren’t too good. If one player off the bench has looked flat , it’s Wighton.
Turnbuckle
Guest
Agreed... He’s the next best. Start with Murray on the field too. As that gives a better combination there.
Short Memory
Guest
Hardly a disaster for the Blues. It's a dead rubber and we've got at least 3 or 4 hand replacements in good form who can step in and get the job done.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Freddie ought to have an eye to the future, this has gone past Reynolds now, Moses too. What’s the call if it happens again next year ? Pick an old man ?
matth
Roar Guru
I will add my support for Reynolds. His combination with Cook is an added bonus.
matth
Roar Guru
I agree but using Wighton would be a nice reward for his extensive bench sitting so far and they could bring another strike player onto the bench. Not sure who. Chrichton?
steveng
Roar Rookie
Mate, I don’t agree, he's had that at the Raiders for a while now, so he should be used to it and its nothing unusual for him. Wighton is a good player and he is big and strong and has that X factor and ability to make things happen and to also take care of that Munster baby tantrum thrower :laughing:
Turnbuckle
Guest
I don’t like Wighton at the moment. Most of the other players in the NSW side bring confidence with them. The confidence of being in winning club sides. Wighton doesn’t have that right now. He’s looked pretty down coming on as a NSW replacement to me.
steveng
Roar Rookie
IMO Reynolds must be chosen as he’s got the experience and plus the big advantage of his overall kicking game and goal kicking, yes LM can kick for goals also but its best that LM is left to do his thing like he has. There is another option to put Luai as half and Wighton at 5/8 which will work also and Freddy I'm sure has thought of that option. All in all the Blues won’t be affected that much and game 3 will be the same as the other two and the Blues will reach over 100 points in 3 games.
eels47
Roar Rookie
On current form, yes Luai is streaks ahead of both of them. However, is he the right player to be controlling the team and is he the right player to be the number one kicking option? I would say no, leave him at 6 and bring in someone like Reynolds to control the game and let Luai do his thing.
Andrew01
Roar Rookie
They weren't last time he played.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
I get the feeling Papi's going to be out for a fair bit longer. Hopefully I'm wrong, but I wouldn't be throwing him back in an Origin game anyway.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
Regardless of who wears the seven jersey, one will play on the left and one will play on the right. The first and second receiver days are almost dead.
Brendon
Roar Rookie
Wow a big couple of days for Penrith. NRL physio reporting 3-6 weeks with physio if they want to risk it, but soft tissue injury is tricky, not sure I'd be risking the long term health of a 23 year old, it just takes one bad hit and you're done. Also a good test, they've been blessed for two seasons with injuries, travel, etc, will be interesting to see how they fly now.
Tony
Roar Guru
:crying:
Paul
Guest
Always one of the reasons why supporters don’t want their clubs players to be chosen in rep games. Can totally stuff up a clubs season with serious injuries. Not playing for the team that pays their way. I think Penrith are going the wrong way again with the team line up. Just as they did for teams against West’s & Cronulla. Leave Burton at centre, as he offers something different there. Luai at 5/8th where he’s used to playing. Bring in a Brendon Hands or another half to take up that role. Hands is quick . Plays well at half or hooker . Naden is alright on the wing. Give another half the role that they’re paid to play in. You may be surprised?
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Reyno by the length of the straight but Freddy will pick Moses.