NSW’s worst nightmare confirmed as Panthers announce Nathan Cleary update

NSW State of Origin coach Michael Maguire must be thinking he is cursed after the Panthers confirmed news that will make him sick.

Nathan Cleary of the Panthers. Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images.

Nathan Cleary will miss the entire 2024 State of Origin series.

The Panthers on Sunday announced scans have shown Cleary suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain during his club’s win over the Bulldogs on Friday night.

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Seemingly out of nowhere, Cleary informed a team trainer moments before half time that something wasn’t right and TV replays showed he was shaking his head as he walked off.

While he appeared to try and run it out, he headed straight for the tunnel.

With State of Origin Game 1 on Wednesday, June 5th, there were fears the mercurial halfback would miss the series-opener.

But the update that he will miss the entire series — with Game 3 to be played on July 17 — is a crushing blow to NSW.

The Panthers released a brief statement on Sunday, saying: “Penrith Panthers can provide an update on halfback Nathan Cleary, who sustained a hamstring injury during Friday night’s match against the Bulldogs.

“Scans revealed a grade 2 hamstring tear which will see Cleary ruled out for eight weeks.”

Although Cleary wasn’t limping or clutching at the hamstring, it didn’t look great at the time.

Andrew Voss said the injury toll, which added Tom Trbojevic on Thursday night as well, was “one of the biggest storylines”.

“I’m sure we’ve had seasons with similar injury tolls but never with the number of superstars that have now found themselves sidelined,” Voss said.

Nathan Cleary is devastated. Photo: Fox Sports

Michael Ennis said it was “a devastating blow for not only the Penrith Panthers but NSW. What a 24 hours it’s been for Michael Maguire.

“Cleary has been absolutely superb for the opening 35 minutes, his kicking game tortured the Canterbury Bulldogs.”

During the break, Pitt reported the “devastating news”.

“We do know it is the hamstring he’s returning from,” Pitt said. “He’s devastated, he’s iced up and he’s no good — that’s the word out of the Panthers sheds.

“He will be sent for scans as early as tomorrow morning to determine the extent of the strain but huge ramifications for the Panthers in the immediate term and also Michael Maguire and the Blues.”

Not good news for Penrith or NSW. Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images

“I’m told that Nathan is devastated in the sheds knowing that this is looking like a lengthy period on the sidelines.”

Speaking in his post-match press conference, Panthers coach Ivan Cleary said Nathan was “pretty shattered”.

“It’s disappointing for him — I’m kind of torn between being his coach and his dad — but very disappointing,” Ivan said.

“But anyway, the show goes on. We’ll get a scan, see the damage and go from there.

“He felt it straight away, he knew, so that would suggest it’s decent.”

Ivan said the hamstring hadn’t been an issue over the past two weeks and he was always going to have a rest with the short turn around after the Cowboys game.

Cleary only returned from the injury he sustained against the Broncos in round 3, only returning in Round 8 against the Cowboys.

Originally published as NSW’s worst nightmare confirmed as Panthers announce Nathan Cleary update