Cleary injured again
Cleary’s most recent hamstring injury is just one of many the 26-year-old has suffered in his decorated NRL career. Just last season, the former Ben Alexander Rookie of the Year missed Rounds 15-20 with a hamstring injury. He also missed the State of Origin III games after suffering a hamstring tear.
Given his injury history, Panthers have typically been very diligent about how they use Cleary. This was not the case in Panthers’ Round Three against Brisbane Broncos. Leading up to the match, multiple outlets reported that Cleary was struggling with fitness issues. Observant NRL fans noticed it too, with many Panthers fans saying he should be given a break.
Cleary didn’t get a break, and started for Panthers in Round 3. The halfback left the pitch with about 10 minutes left in his club’s 32-12 victory over Broncos. It was initially thought that this was just to give Cleary a bit of a rest. Tests later revealed hamstring damage. Cleary is expected to miss at least a month of action.
Replacement for Cleary
Cleary is undoubtedly one of the best players in the NRL right now. His absence will be massive for Panthers as they look to win their fourth straight NRL Premiership. Their season could be totally derailed if Cleary’s minor hamstring injury spirals into something more severe, as it has in the past.
Without their star halfback and co-captain in the side, Panthers will have to rely on their back up halfback Brad Schneider. The 23-year-old is obviously levels below Cleary, but, according to reports from Penrith, there is a quiet confidence that the more significant role could see him take his game to another level.
Schneider won the 2022 Peter Mulholland NRL Rookie of the Year award, so he obviously has potential. If all goes well over the next month, Panthers could be looking at their next young star.
Other Panthers injuries
Nathan Cleary is not the only name on the Penrith Panthers injury list right now.
Second-row Scott Sorensen is expected to miss 3-4 weeks with a knee injury. Specifically, reports claim that the 31-year-old has suffered a minor MCL sprain. Given his age and the nature of the injury, he could be out for even longer than four weeks.
James Fisher-Harris suffered a shoulder injury in Panthers’ Round 2 match against Parramatta Eels. He missed the Round 3 fixture against Broncos, but he could be back soon. The club say Fisher-Harris has not suffered any structural damage to his shoulder. The injury will be graded on a week-by-week basis.
