Nathan Cleary will be sent for scans as early as Saturday morning after the Blues star aggravated a hamstring injury during the Panthers’ 16-10 victory against the Bulldogs on Friday night.
Cleary’s injury comes less than 24 hours after Manly star Tom Trbojevic sustained a hamstring injury, which could sideline him for up to eight weeks, during the Sea Eagles loss to the Dolphins on Thursday.
Nathan Cleary leaves the field on Friday night after aggravating his hamstring injury,Credit: NRL Photos
It’s a nightmare scenario for Blues coach Michael Maguire, with Cameron Murray, Mitchell Moses, Clint Gutherson and Ryan Papenhuyzen already on the injured list.
Cleary left the field two minutes before half-time after kicking a grubber to force a goal-line dropout. He was then seen consulting one of the Panthers’ trainers before exiting up the tunnel. It’s the same hamstring that kept him sidelined for a month earlier in the season.
When the Panthers came out for the second half, Jack Cole combined with Jarome Luai in the halves and Dylan Edwards took over conversion duties.
Panthers coach Ivan Cleary will now head into Magic Round in Brisbane next week without his first two picks at halfback, after back-up half Brad Schneider was also injured in the Panthers’ NSW Cup game on Friday afternoon. Schenider left the field in the second half after sustaining a knee injury.
The Bulldogs were impressive on Friday night, despite falling to the reigning premiers, with Cameron Ciraldo’s team holding Penrith scoreless for the opening 25 minutes.
Brian To’o scored just before half-time to give the home side a 12-point lead, before Matt Burton got the breakthrough for Canterbury with a try in the 68th minute.
Jacob Kiraz went over for the Bulldogs’ second try with just five seconds left on the clock, but two penalty goals for the Panthers in the second half was enough to hold off Stephen Crichton and his up-and-coming team.
The Panthers next play the Warriors in Brisbane on Sunday.
