Penrith’s Nathan Cleary ruled out of Melbourne Storm rematch after brutal hit

Nathan Cleary’s appearance in the grand final rematch against the Storm lasted less than eight minutes after a brutal mid-air collision.

Superstar Nathan Cleary was ruled out of Penrith’s 30-24 grand final rematch loss to the Storm after just eight minutes following a “most unusual collision”.

The Panthers halfback was left in a bad way after colliding with Storm counterpart Jahrome Hughes, quickly sidelined for the rest of the match after a category one head injury assessment.

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With Melbourne leading 6-0 at AAMI Park just over seven minutes into the hugely anticipated clash, the home side made a break down the right wing.

Storm fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen put in a grubber and right after Jack Cole secured possession for the Panthers, Cleary leapt into the air and appeared to be trying to get out of his teammate’s way.

He collided instead with Hughes and it seemed he copped the worst of it when he flipped and his head slammed into the turf.

Watch the collision in the video player above

Nathan Cleary’s heavy mid-air collision with Jahrome Hughes. Photo: Fox Sports

While Hughes was able to continue after his own check from the medical staff, 27-year-old Cleary was quickly ruled out of the game.

“There’s been a collision with Hughes. They’ve come together acrobatically,” Michael Ennis said in commentary on Fox League.

Andrew Voss added: “Oh this is extraordinary. Have a look at this. Two of the best, off the ball, have collided.

“And they are so the worse for wear. What a moment.

“It’s a most unusual collision. Cleary’s in an unusual state when he contacts Hughes. He’s sort of upright but mid-air.”

Coach Cleary hopeful Nathan will be ‘OK’

Panthers coach Ivan Cleary is hopeful there will be no lingering effects for his superstar halfback son Nathan outside of his compulsory 11-day stand down for concussion.

Cleary said the early signs were positive for his son, but the Panthers will miss him for their clash with South Sydney Rabbitohs next Thursday night, which they will enter with a 1-2 record after the 30-24 loss to the Storm.

“Yeah, he seems OK,” Ivan Cleary said.

“He remembers the incident, so that’s a good thing.

“So, yeah, hopefully he feels the same way tomorrow.”

Cleary was proud of how the Panthers played once Nathan went out of the game.

“Obviously losing [Nathan], that’s a pretty big thing, not just tactically how the team goes, but obviously mentally and against obviously a great team down here and I just thought they really hung in,” he said.

Hughes (right) and Cleary (second left) receive treatment after the collision. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

The Panthers superstar was quickly sidelined for the rest of the match. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

Premiership favourites Melbourne bolted out of the blocks, scoring tries in the fourth and 10th minutes through Grant Anderson and Eliesa Katoa respectively for a quick 12-0 lead.

The Storm are targeting a little revenge after Penrith secured a record fourth consecutive NRL crown via its 14-6 triumph over Melbourne in last year’s decider.

The Storm’s lead reached 14 points after a penalty to Nick Meaney, yet even without their inspirational playmaker, the Panthers hit back.

Centre Paul Alamoti crossed the line twice in a six-minute stretch as the Panthers closed to 14-10 at halftime.

Casey McLean’s try shortly after the restart, converted by Alamoti, gave Penrith the lead for the first time on the night.

The Storm hit back through a try to Tyran Wishart before holding on in a thrilling finish to win the match 30-24.

Penrith has now lost a second straight game following last week’s shock loss to the Roosters and will be without Cleary for at least next week’s match-up with the Rabbitohs.

With NewsWire

Originally published as Penrith’s Nathan Cleary ruled out of Melbourne Storm rematch after brutal hit