‘It’s almost embarrassing’: Nathan Cleary opens up on “frustrating year” as Panthers star makes scary statement in return from injury

A raw and honest Nathan Cleary has opened up on the struggles he’s faced this year after he made a triumphant return from injury to help Penrith qualify for another preliminary final.

Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai can start dreaming of one more premiership before the five-eighth leaves Penrith after they qualified for another preliminary final. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Nathan Cleary was at his freakish best on Friday night as Penrith booked a spot in its fifth-straight preliminary final, but the Panthers halfback has revealed he’s felt “embarrassed” at times this year while battling three separate injuries.

It was a startling admission from a young man who has achieved everything in the game before his 27th birthday, and it’s a warning to the other top eight teams given he feels like he has a point to prove after a “frustrating year”.

Cleary has been restricted to just 11 appearances this season due to two hamstring injuries and a shoulder issue, with the three-time premiership winner missing out on the State of Origin series win as he battled his second hamstring tear.

The Panthers finished second without him but did look clunky in attack in their final regular season game against the Titans, however that was all forgotten on Friday as he set up three tries in the 30-10 win over the Roosters.

Nathan Cleary’s shoulder passed a major test after having to tackle Angus Crichton on Friday night. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

“It’s been a frustrating year,” he said after the game.

“The times that I’ve been injured, I just feel bad that I’m not out there and can’t go to battle alongside my brothers.

“It’s almost embarrassing sometimes getting those injuries and having to take time out again.

“It’s been an up and down year, but I set sights on this game and had to get over it.

“There was no point moping around because I had to be a positive influence on the team even though I wasn’t playing, and then in the background I was putting my best foot forward to try to get back on the field.”

Cleary has only lost two games in 2024 – both against the Storm – with the champion playmaker forced off late when the sides met in round 24 with a shoulder injury that could have ended his season.

But he worked tirelessly at training to prove his fitness, with Cleary shrugging off any concerns over his health with an early tackle and carry before he kicked the Roosters to death.

“I was pretty confident with that because I got through a lot of work during the week,” he said.

“I thought I gave myself every chance to be here tonight and it was good to get a tackle early on and know that it was all right.

“Usually when I play my best it’s with a defensive mindset so I was happy I could get some out of the way early.”

Panthers coach Ivan Cleary was thrilled with his son’s chase on Connor Watson to deny a certain try, while he must have been pleased with a couple of pinpoint perfect kicks which led to tries.

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“I thought he was all right. Nah, I thought he was outstanding,” he said.

“He makes a big difference to our team through the way that he plays and he gives everyone confidence.

“He’s got this knack of being out for a while and is then able to come back and click straight into gear.

“Up against Angus who is arguably the best back-rower in the comp, it was a fair task and I thought he went about his business really well.”

Winning another title is the ultimate goal, but this one would be extra special for Cleary who only has one or two games left with halves partner and great mate Jarome Luai before he heads to the Wests Tigers in 2025 to lead the team.

“It’s something I’m trying not to think about too much because I’m just trying to enjoy the time we have left together,” Cleary said.

“We’ve been playing together since we were 16 years old so we understand each other’s games really well.

“Being back out there with him was fun and it feels like we’re kids again but on the biggest stage.

“It’s stuff we talked about as kids and we dreamt for this to happen. It’d be silly for us to think too much about the end of it so we’ll just enjoy the moment.

“It’ll be a sad time when it does come to an end, but that’s not yet.”

Originally published as ‘It’s almost embarrassing’: Nathan Cleary opens up on “frustrating year” as Panthers star makes scary statement in return from injury