Ivan Cleary has played down concerns around his son Nathan’s hamstrings, saying the Penrith halfback’s latest injury scare could be a blessing in disguise.
Cleary junior has been ruled out of Thursday night’s clash against the Sydney Roosters with a right-hamstring strain.
His spot at No.7 will be filled by new recruit Brad Schneider.
There is every chance Cleary could also miss the following week’s visit to Manly, particularly if Penrith play it safe ahead of their round-six bye.
The 26-year-old’s hamstring injury is his second in recent times; last year he suffered a tear to his left leg.
“Nat seems to have a sabbatical every year, this one’s a bit earlier,” Ivan Cleary said on Tuesday.
“It’s not too bad, that’s the pleasing thing. He felt the same thing last year before he actually did it properly.
“The fact that he had that experience means we cut this one off a bit sooner. Hopefully it’ll only be a couple of weeks.”
The Penrith coach speculated the current setback was potentially related to a pre-existing injury in Nathan’s foot – rather than a wider issue affecting his hamstrings.
He hoped the No.7 could return fitter and stronger next month.
Nathan Cleary (Photo by Getty Images)
“He’s had a (plantar) fasciitis injury in his foot since pre-season. Sometimes that plays a part,” Ivan Cleary said.
“He’s been struggling with that for a bit. This might be a silver lining, where he can fix that up as well in the meantime.”
Jarome Luai will likely take the lead on Penrith’s attack, in a sign of things to come for him ahead of next year’s switch to be Wests Tigers’ chief playmaker.
“It’s an opportunity for everyone to sharpen up and step up. Romy’s definitely in that category,” Ivan Cleary said.
With Scott Sorensen sidelined with a knee injury for the next month, and James Fisher-Harris (shoulder) also still out, Penrith will hand an emotional debut to Mavrik Geyer.
The son of Panthers legend Mark Geyer, Mavrik has further links to the club through uncles Greg Alexander and Matt Geyer.
Long touted as a potential first-grader, the 23-year-old will feature off the bench for Penrith.
“He’s a bit of a late bloomer who didn’t really get serious about his footy until probably three years ago,” Ivan Cleary said. “He’s been playing well at Cup level and training really well.
“This pre-season has been outstanding and he’s ready now to take the next step.
“He’s a pretty big lad. I didn’t get the joy of playing with MG (Mark Geyer), but I played against him and tried to avoid him as much as I could.
“They’re a little bit different, and the game is a bit different these days. I haven’t seen (the same mean streak in Mavrik).”
Maika makes changes to technique
Maika Sivo has vowed to change his tackling technique as he prepares to return from yet another suspension for a shot gone wrong.
Parramatta winger Sivo collected AJ Brimson high during a pre-season challenge match against Gold Coast and found himself banned for the first three rounds of the season.
Ordinarily a player would only miss two games for a grade-two careless high-tackle charge – but Sivo’s extensive rap sheet meant he spent another week watching from the sidelines despite pleading guilty to the offence.
A similar high tackle rubbed Sivo out of four games late last season as the Eels battled to hold onto their spot in the top eight.
By the time the Fiji international returned in round 25, Parramatta had dropped to 10th on the ladder. They never rose any higher.
In total, the match review committee has charged Sivo seven times since the beginning of last season.
Eels teammate Dylan Brown put Sivo on notice after his latest ban, saying it was “not acceptable” to repeatedly let the side down with his discipline.
(Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
Heeding that warning, Sivo has been putting in extra work with defence coach Steve Antonelli. “I just have to change my tackling technique and go from there,” he said.
“I’ve been practising after every session with our defence coach. I’ve been improving and can’t wait to get back.”
It was cold comfort for Sivo that his latest suspension had occurred early in the season, after he was rubbed out at a crucial juncture in 2023.
Grand finalists in 2022, the Eels have showed flashes of their best during a 2-1 start to the season that has them sixth on the ladder.
“I don’t want to be on the outside watching the boys play,” Sivo said.
“I wish I was out there, but … I have to keep working on my technique.”
The Eels are expected to name Sivo on the left wing for their traditional Easter Monday clash against Wests Tigers.
Blaize Talagi, who made his NRL debut in last week’s win over Manly, appears likeliest to drop out of the side.
Jorgo decision imminent
The Roosters could have a second rugby union rising star heading their way by the end of the week with a decision imminent from teen prodigy Max Jorgensen.
According to reports on 100% Footy, the Waratahs utility back will meet with his manager later this week to decide whether to accept a lucrative offer from the Roosters for 2025 onwards or remain with the Wallabies when they host the the British & Irish Lions tour in the lead-up to the World Cup two years later.
However, Rugby Australia has put together an extremely competitive bid to keep the Sydney Roosters’ mitts off Jorgensen.
But the wider ramifications of the deal could yet be felt, with the Reds in danger of losing two of their Test outside backs Jordan Petaia and Jock Campbell should Jorgensen stay in Australian rugby as expected.
With the Roosters reportedly tabling a two-year, $1.8 million offer to lure Jorgensen across Anzac Parade, The Roar can exclusively reveal RA has offered Jorgensen a three-year, $1.6m deal to keep him at the Waratahs.
Having already enticed dynamic winger Mark Nawaqanitawase to switch codes next season, the Tricolours have reportedly offered his fellow 2023 Wallabies World Cup squad member a $1.8 million two-year deal.
Roosters chairman Nick Politis and triple premiership-winning coach Trent Robinson have met with the 19-year-old to express their interest.
Max Jorgensen. (Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)
The son of former Roosters and Penrith player Peter Jorgensen, the fullback-winger has been a revelation for the Waratahs in the Super Rugby Pacific since debuting last year.
He is off contract at the end of 2024 but has spoken of his desire to face the touring Lions next year.
A code swap could also happen in 2026 or after Australia hosts the 2027 World Cup.
No grudge from Mahoney over losing captaincy
Cameron Ciraldo was right to name new recruit Stephen Crichton skipper at Canterbury, the club’s deposed co-captain Reed Mahoney says.
Triple premiership winner Crichton did not hold a formal leadership position in his 100 games for Penrith, but was immediately handed the top job on joining the Bulldogs this year.
That left Burton and Mahoney displaced as on-field co-captains after only one year in the job, during which the 15th-placed Bulldogs managed just seven wins from 24 games.
Last season’s club captain Raymond Faitala-Mariner, in charge of off-field culture, has joined St George Illawarra.
Ciraldo praised his newly minted skipper after Saturday’s 32-0 thrashing of Gold Coast, which opened the Bulldogs’ account this season.
“His leadership out there is really crucial to us. A lot of the time I’m sending messages out and he’s already got it covered,” Ciraldo said.
On Monday, Mahoney echoed Ciraldo – saying the coach was right to go in a new direction with the team’s leadership.
“It’s probably the right thing that Cam did. I was happy with the decision,” he said.
“It wasn’t about me, it was about what’s best for the club and what’s best for the team. At the moment, Stephen’s doing a great job.
“The way Stephen is, the person he is and how professional he is, I’d choose him myself.”
Mahoney said he remained a leader, albeit in an unofficial capacity.
“It hasn’t really changed the way I go about my business,” he said.
“I don’t step back in meetings or in a group or anything.”
Winger Josh Addo-Carr is a chance to return from his shoulder injury for Canterbury’s traditional Good Friday clash against under-fire South Sydney.
The NSW State of Origin representative has missed the last two games but trained on Monday and could replace utility Connor Tracey on the left wing.
Tracey was unsure whether he would remain in the 17.
“(Addo-Carr) will definitely get that left-wing spot back (if he’s fit), so we’ll see where I fit in after that,” the new recruit said.
with AAP
The Barry
Roar Guru
What’s the over/under for number of games before Sivo is next charged? I reckon about 5.5
criag
Roar Rookie
The whole ‘rorters’ thing never adds up if you pay attention. They are looking for a long-term replacement for Tedesco, and its not for next year, it’s for 2026, or even 2028. Suaalii is leaving at the end of the year (because he can make more money elsewhere). They’re also resigned to losing Joey Manu at the end of the year (because he can make more money elsewhere). When and if he came, Tupou would also be either retired or at least getting the $200,000 long-serving player allowance). The money is only speculative, but it could be about that considering he would be playing fullback, maybe he would do an apprenticeship on the wing. Also, given the trend, the salary cap is likely to be more then.
London Panther
Roar Rookie
I remember Jorgo Snr running around for Penrith. He had a couple of games and was amazing, but then had a leg injury and after that he looked like he was running in treacle. Sport can be cruel and your earning potential can be short. Or he could play 15 years and be both a league and union legend; I hope it is the latter!!
Cam
Roar Rookie
Elite-level fullback money for a decade or so will buy Max a hell of a lot of profiterole, kanelbulle or sfogliatella.
BigGordon
Roar Rookie
:laughing: Sure it's water?
BigGordon
Roar Rookie
I think I've only heard about one player come back from playing rugby in either country who didn't have a good time - and he was an ex-NRL bloke from memory who decided to be naughty in Japan. I really hope the young fella sticks with rugby, at least for now. Guys like him can help rebuild that code in Australia, which has to be a good thing IMO.
Albo
Roar Rookie
That is just for himself ! He gets so dry continually yelling out instructions . :silly:
BigGordon
Roar Rookie
and he still has time to run water! :happy:
Tony
Roar Guru
Captain/coach :happy:
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Not to mention the potential to earn telephone numbers in France or Japan
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Have the Roosters been watching Waratahs games lately?
Ouch
Roar Rookie
oh look, the salary cap rorters have another 900k to throw at another promising young player.
Albo
Roar Rookie
Well Alfie still captains the Broncos ! And he is generally around the back of the spine ! :silly:
BigGordon
Roar Rookie
Occasionally? :laughing: :laughing: I reckon any of the spine could make good leaders in the modern game, but what about a centre?
BigGordon
Roar Rookie
Assuming he's on 300k if he stays with rugby, that's not to be sneezed it, Nick. Granted it's a fraction of the money he might make in League but it's not nothing. We're also only talking about 3 years which would make Jorgensen 22 at the end of the Lions tour. Assuming he stays fit and also continues to develop, I can see more and more NRL Clubs, apart from the Roosters, being interested, which could bump his asking price north of the 900k being offered. In effect that would give Jorgensen the best of both worlds; the experience of a rugby lifetime and the chance to still make good money in the NRL for a decade or more.
Doctordbx
Roar Rookie
If he wants to see the world he can use some of his $900k to buy a plane ticket. It's not the 1980s anymore.
Nick Maguire
Roar Rookie
BG, $900k per year!!!! (if that's accurate) He would be on maybe a third of that in SRPac. You are correct he's still young enough but let's say he stays put and sometime in the next 3 years he suffers more serious injury and never reaches his potential or worse ceases playing. Where does the $900k come from then?
Panthers
Roar Rookie
So what’s his cap value? A lot less than $900,000 a season?
Adam
Roar Guru
He was definitely an outlier
Worlds Biggest
Roar Pro
He has two great options, would be surprised if he switched with the Lions tour next year. He may revisit at the end of next year depending on how the Wallabies are travelling under Schmidt. He is young enough to tick the Rugby boxes ( Lions and World Cup ) and then switch. On the other hand, he could be the heir apparent to Teddy and playing under Robinson would be great. The Chooks have a lot of talented youngsters coming through so another dynasty is a possibility. Not to mention the coin would be excellent. Interestingly his old man Peter switched codes in 1995 which was a World Cup year. Granted he was probably the 4th or 5th choice winger in Aust Rugby at the time. Big decision for young Max to make.