Cleary injures shoulder as Penrith blow chance to go top
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Nathan Cleary was under-going scans for a shoulder injury late Thursday as the premiers now sweat on having the star halfback back in time for their premiership assault.
The Panthers lost 24-22 to the Storm in what could have doubled as a grand final preview.
But the biggest blow came in the 67th minute when Cleary went down in what appeared an innocuous tackle, but immediately clutched at his left shoulder and looked in pain. He was clearly upset and opened and closed his hand a few times as if to try and regain feeling.
After a quick assessment from Penrith medico Pete Green, Cleary came from the field as silence fell across the 20,516-strong crowd at BlueBet Stadium.
The halfback dislocated his right shoulder in Origin II in 2021 but returned to steer the Panthers to their first premiership before he had surgery.
Cleary was seen in the sheds after the game in deep discussion with his father and coach, Ivan Cleary.
Nathan Cleary reacts after taking a knock to his shoulder during the round 24 NRL match between Penrith Panthers and Melbourne Storm.Credit: Getty Images
Cleary senior said he was unsure if his son had dislocated his shoulder, and scans would reveal more.
“He hurt it in the pre-season, he had some trouble with it earlier in the year, and then throughout the hamstring issues – he got on top of it, but it’s a recurrence tonight,” he said.
“We’re concerned. It was bad enough for him to come off.
“He explained how he felt and what happened the best he could. I was checking in on him [after the game] more than anything.
“He’s in better shape than he was when he did his hammy. Hopefully that’s good news. What do you do? It’s one of those years I think [for him].”
Cleary had only been back in action a month after suffering a serious hamstring injury that sidelined him for nearly three months.
The Panthers received a penalty with 18 seconds remaining, and got within two-point field-goal range, something Cleary excels at. The returning Dylan Edwards stepped up, but his long-range attempt fell short.
Jack Cole came into the halves once Cleary departed, and will be the back-up option should Cleary be out in the coming weeks.
Ryan Papenhuyzen of the Storm celebrates with teammates at full-time.Credit: Getty Images
James Fisher-Harris was placed on report for a lat hit on Storm halfback Jahrome Hughes that led to the penalty that allowed the Storm kick a penalty goal and reclaim the lead they maintained for the final seven minutes.
There was plenty of drama between the two genuine heavyweights, including the sin-binning of big Nelson Asofa-Solomona in the 55th minute. Referee Ashley Klein sent Asofa-Solomona for a break for hitting Daine Laurie in the back of the head with “moderate force”.
Asofa-Solomona managed to wipe out teammate Cam Munster in the same tackle. Munster stayed down and bled from the nose, and despite appearing to stumble when he returned to his feet, was cleared to return.
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Melbourne kicked two wins clear of the Panthers and locked up a top-two finish with three rounds remaining.
Coach Craig Bellamy confirmed he was now likely to rest players in the final couple of rounds against North Queensland and Broncos, who are both in the finals fight.
The Panthers remain in second spot, but will be worried about their chief playmaker.
The reigning premiers received a touch of luck right on half-time when they went from possibly conceding a two-point field-goal to being awarded a penalty kick in front.
Ryan Papenhuyzen kicked the ball from a 20m re-start into touch, only for the Panthers to challenge the decision. They thought Grant Anderson had tapped the ball and passed it beforehand. They were wrong, but replays showed Jack Howarth standing in an off-side position.
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