'Devastating' Cleary blow exposes Panthers; Burton's Origin ...

The Panthers have secured yet another win, beating a Bulldogs outfit littered with their former players 16-10 at BlueBet Stadium.

While Ivan Cleary has secured two points, it’s not been a positive night for Penrith who look set to be without superstar halfback Nathan Cleary for an extended period.

The gun No.7 sat out of his side’s Round 9 clash nursing a hamstring but has once again re-injured himself in a big blow for his club side and also the NSW Blues.

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“Devastating news,” Fox League’s Lara Pitt said.

“We do know it was the hamstring he was returning from. He is devastated, he’s iced up and he’s no good.”

Defence was the highlight of this clash, with a low-scoring affair being played out as Stephen Crichton and Jaeman Salmon played against their former team for the first time.

Meanwhile, Matt Burton and Viliame Kikau are also former Panthers alongside current head coach Cameron Ciraldo who was Cleary’s assist before making the move to Belmore.

The first four-pointer of the clash came through Luke Garner who beat multiple defenders to burst over the line.

Next was Brian To’o who also barged past several defenders to get the ball down and take a 12-0 halftime lead.

The Panthers were unable to score in the final 40 minutes, and Burton got his name on the scoresheet with an impressive try.

Then on the final siren, Jacob Kiraz was able to cross for a consolation try before Burton put the finishing touches on the game with a successful sideline conversion.

Read below for all the big talking points out of Friday night’s clash!

LOOK AWAY MADGE

Oh, not again.

Penrith’s champion halfback Nathan Cleary re-injured his troublesome right hamstring in his team’s win over the Bulldogs.

It’s opened the door for Mitchell Moses to keep his Blues No. 7 jersey for the opening State of Origin game in less than a month.

Moses has been sidelined after having surgery on a foot injury, but is reportedly eyeing a return to the field in Magic Round according to The Daily Telegraph.

However, he faces stiff competition from Nicho Hynes, who could also wear the No.6 and was one of the frontrunners to partner Cleary.

Jarome Luai and Matt Burton also are in contention to play five-eighth for the Blues and the latter scored against his former team on Friday night.

Cleary has endured a stop-start season with his persistent hamstring problem that just won’t go away.

Cleary missed three games early in the season after tearing his hamstring in round 3 before returning then missing last week’s match against Souths as a precaution.

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PANTHERS’ HALVES WOES

Cleary wasn’t the only Panthers playmaker to go down on Friday.

Replacement halfback Brad Schneider suffered a leg injury in NSW Cup, leaving Ivan Cleary with a big decision to make.

Regular five-eighth Jarome Luai could shift to the No.7 jersey and become the chief playmaker, giving Tigers fans a first glimpse of their marquee signing in a dominant role.

The 27-year-old has shown he can lead a team in the past, steering Samoa to a World Cup final in 2022.

However, the Panthers still need another playmaker and young gun Jack Cole was thrown into the action against the Dogs.

He’s widely tipped to be Luai’s heir in 2025, and the 20-year-old started in the World Club Challenge earlier this season.

Outside of Cole, Daine Laurie can also play in the halves while Trent Toelau is a very outside option after wearing the No.14 in NSW Cup.

THE OPENING FOR BURTON

“Does an injury to Tom Trbojevic open up the door for Matt Burton to go back into that left centre position where he’s been terrific previously for the Panthers and NSW?”

That’s the question posed by rugby league legend Michael Ennis, who believes the Dogs five-eighth has been flying under the radar so far in 2024.

Burton has previously played two games for NSW in the centres, being called in by Brad Fittler in 2022.

He also previous won a premiership with the Panthers in the centres in 2021, beating the Rabbitohs and scoring in that game.

Burton’s also in contention to wear the No.6, but could still find himself in the centres if Michael Maguire picks him.

The new NSW coach has made it clear form will come into the equation and Burton has been on fire for the Dogs so far in 2024.

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