Nathan Cleary injury: How Penrith Panthers will survive four-week period without star halfback

Penrith’s well-oiled machine has just lost its chief engineer in star halfback Nathan Cleary. This is how Ivan Cleary and his squad will fill multiple holes left by their injured star.

Nathan Cleary is expected to miss up to a month of football. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

Penrith’s well-oiled machine has just lost its chief engineer in star halfback Nathan Cleary.

But does that mean the Panthers’ early season surge comes to a halt?

The Panthers got the job done without Cleary last year when a hamstring injury ruled out the playmaker for six weeks, winning all but one game in that period.

Former Panther Jack Cogger got the job done for them last year, now all eyes turn to recruit Brad Schneider as Cleary faces up to a month on the sideline with another hamstring injury.

James Fisher-Harris, who is deemed a “week-to-week” proposition after picking up a shoulder injury in round two against Parramatta, is unlikely to be available this week after the club granted him permission to travel back to New Zealand on compassionate grounds.

Veteran Scott Sorensen expected to spend a significant stint on the sidelines with a knee injury.

Here’s a look at what Penrith will be missing with Cleary out and how they’ll adjust without him:

Nathan Cleary is expected to miss up to a month of football. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

ATTACKING MACHINE

Cleary is already leading the competition, alongside Ben Hunt, for try assists (five) and is equal for line break assists (five) with James Tedesco.

When he’s not setting up tries, he’s making a significant contribution to executing plays. Cleary is only one behind Tedesco for try contributions, notching up seven in the first three rounds.

KICKING GAME & DEFENCE

When he’s not running the ball or engaging the line, Cleary’s kicking game is suffocating the opposition.

Cleary is sixth for kick metres (1228 metres) but the effectiveness of his kicking game is where it counts most. Few are better than kicking to corners and pinning the attacking side in their own half.

Cleary is also no slouch in defence and is one of the better defensive halves in the competition.

Is Jarome Luai ready to run the team? Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

IVAN CLEARY’S BACK-UPS

Coach Cleary has a good eye for recruiting back-up playmakers. Cogger not only filled in when needed but was credited for unlocking Cleary’s game late in last year’s grand final.

Now that microscope turns to Schneider, who like Cleary is more of an organising half with a well-rounded kicking game.

If the Schneider fails to fire, the coach also has options in youngster Jack Cole and even Daine Lauire.

YEO TO STEP UP

Lock Isaah Yeo, who is the best link man between a forward pack and its halves, has the footy smarts to match some of the best playmakers in the game is expected to play a bigger role in attack.

GOAL KICKING

The Panthers don’t just lose Cleary’s attacking prowess but his ability to deliver with the kicking tee in clutch moments.

Cleary’s goal kicking form is down on his usual standard. He’s only kicking at 72 per cent, compared to almost 84 per cent in 2023.

Stephen Crichton would have been the one to take over those duties but the star centre now at Belmore.

Schneider is a goal kicker but interestingly, centre Paul Alamoti is the first choice goal kicker in NSW Cup.

But Schneider does know his way around a kicking tee. During his 10 appearances for Canberra in 2022, Schneider kicked at 80 per cent success rate.

DRAW

The Panthers have a favourable draw in the four-week stint Cleary is expected to be on the sidelines. Thursday night’s blockbuster against the Roosters will be the side’s toughest challenge in a run that also includes games against Manly and the Wests Tigers.

The Panthers have their first bye in Round 6 after taking on the Sea Eagles the week before. If Penrith can get over the Roosters hurdle this week they are a decent shot at getting through the period without dropping a game.

KEYS HANDED TO LUAI

Coach Cleary questioned Luai’s ability to run a team during tense contract negotiations with the club.

“Is he ready for that? That’s a question mark I would think,” Cleary said at the time.

“Can he do it? I’m sure he could do it. Has he done it? He hasn’t really.”

Luai responded to his coach with a post on social media saying “know your worth”.

Well the market, and the Tigers, have decided Luai is worth $6 million over five years.

Luai is now in the box seat to step-up as the chief general in this champion outfit and prove he is worth the $1.2 million per season price tag.

Tigers fans will no doubt be watching the next four weeks with interest.

Originally published as Nathan Cleary injury: How Penrith Panthers will survive four-week period without star halfback