NRL 2023: Ivan Cleary issues warning to Cronulla ahead of Panthers-Sharks clash | The Agenda

Ivan Cleary has issued an ominous warning, suggesting his son Nathan shook of the rust in his return, and will fire against the struggling Sharks. See the full NRL Agenda.

Forward Ryan Sutton has been on the outer at the Bulldogs. Picture: Supplied

Cameron Ciraldo’s salvage mission at Canterbury, Penrith coach Ivan Cleary’s ominous for warning to the rest of the NRL and why the Eels should be on high alert in Victoria this weekend.

Here are some of the biggest talking points ahead of all the action in round 21.

LOOKING FORWARD TOO - Cleary shedding the ‘rust’

It’s an ominous warning for the NRL’s title contenders, that halfback Nathan Cleary’s masterful return from injury against Canterbury was still a ‘bit rusty’.

It should ring alarm bells in the Sutherland Shire.

Cronulla take on Penrith this Saturday, and Craig Fitzgibbon’s men have struggled against top eight opponents.

If the Sharks are going to be any hope, Dally M medallist Nicho Hynes, the game’s official best player, must go to another level against his opposite Cleary, who continues to widen the gap between himself and every other halfbacks - like Hynes.

Ivan Cleary says Nathan was a bit ‘rusty’ in his return from injury against the Bulldogs, hinting he will aim up against the Sharks. Picture: Getty Images.

“Ah, I don‘t know. I think there was a bit of rust in some of the stuff he did today,” Ivan Cleary said.

“But yeah, he played well. I thought it was good to have all the gang back together. I‘m looking forward to the next few weeks, we should get better.”

Cleary spent almost seven weeks sidelined with a hamstring injury but didn’t skip a beat against the Bulldogs as Penrith zero in on the three-peat.

He controlled the game with ease to suffocate Canterbury out of the contest.

The Panthers, and Cleary, won’t give Cronulla a way back into the match like the Sea Eagles did on Sunday.

IT’S A BIG WEEK FOR - Tedesco and Walsh

A change is as good as a holiday.

In the case of Sydney Roosters captain James Tedesco, the Byron Bay holiday was the reason for change.

Tedesco brushed aside the avalanche of criticism over his post origin beach break to help drive an unlikely turn around of form for the Roosters against the Titans.

The tries flowed with ease for Trent Robinson’s men, who looked relaxed and happy.

Tedesco, 30, was in fine touch, finishing with 213 metres, five tackle busts, one linebreak, two linebreak assists and two try assists.

Reece Walsh and James Tedesco come face-to-face in round 22.

But if there is one player that can wipe the smiles off the Roosters’ face on Thursday night, it’s Tedesco’s opposite Broncos liveware Reece Walsh.

Walsh’s masterclass against the Rabbitohs was even more impressive than Tedesco’s efforts.

Walsh, 21, finished with 175 metres, six tackle busts, two line breaks, three linebreak assists and two try assists.

It sets up a fascinating battle between the custodian Tedesco, who has rightly earned his place as the game’s best no.1, and the rising Walsh, who is poised to take the mantle as the game’s next great fullback.

SELECTION CALL - Canterbury’s 17 overhaul

Rookie Canterbury coach Cameron Ciraldo is set to overhaul his team sheet on Tuesday afternoon ahead of Saturday’s clash against the Dolphins.

Ciraldo came under fire for some curious calls on Sunday, like playing hooker Reed Mahoney at lock.

Sickness had prevented Mahoney from training with the side during the week so Ciraldo used him from the bench and then injected him into the game at No.13.

Was it a sign that Ciraldo is getting desperate to salvage what is left from the season?

Or is it a coach running out of options, given Ciraldo’s roster has been decimated?

The answer to both questions will become a little clearer this weekend.

Ciraldo will welcome back at least seven top-30 players this weekend after half of the top squad was available against the Panthers.

Some calls will make themselves, like the return of flyer Josh Addo-Carr onto the wing for either Jeral Skelton or Blake Wilson; and Viliame Kikau and Jacob Preston for Jayden Okunbor and Tevita Pangai Jnr on the edge.

Viliame Kikau should make his return for the Bulldogs this week. Picture: NRL Imagery

Other calls will force Ciraldo to swing the axe.

Youngster Paul Alamoti scored a try against Penrith but looked out of his depth in defence.

The return of Braidon Burns could see Alamoti spend time in NSW Cup, like he did a few weeks back. Given the pressures, mentally and physically, dropping Alamoti to reserves might be the best move for his long-term progress.

“We had 15 players of our top squad unavailable today … I think seven or eight of them will come back into the NRL team (against the Dolphins),” Ciraldo confirmed.

“I’m grateful they are back and in contention to play. Fox (Addo-Carr), Kiks (Kikau), Toby Sexton, Ryan Sutton, Braidon Burns … they’re already to go next week. We have some competition for spots.”

The return of Toby Sexton should see Jake Averillo move to fullback at the expense of Hayze Perham.

Englishman Ryan Sutton is on the outer but Ciraldo has indicated the forward will come into contention for selection this week.

UNDER PRESSURE - Eels top eight hopes

There could not have been a worse time for Parramatta to travel south to Victoria and take on Melbourne.

Coach Craig Bellamy didn’t hold back in the assessment of his side’s loss to the Knights. He labelled them ‘soft’ and questioned the commitment of his players.

The post match spray spells trouble for the Eels, who are hanging onto eighth spot on 24 points and a measly 13-points differential on South Sydney.

The last time Bellamy unleashed on the Storm was after their shock 45-20 to the Cowboys, where he hammered them as ‘putrid’.

The following week, the players took the coach‘s scolding out on Cronulla and put the Sharks to the sword, running in nine tries in a 54-10 victory.

Bellamy went after his troops on the weekend undoubtedly with the motivation as he did after that Cowboys clash - to elicit a response.

And history shows that response will come.

Eels fans should be hoping their own side were listening to Bellamy’s spray as closely as those it was intended for.

Craig Bellamy will have Storm firing after a disappointing loss to the Knights. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty

MARKET WATCH - Kulikefu Finefeuiaki

North Queensland’s finals charge has suffered a huge blow after news Jeremiah Nanai is set to miss up to six weeks with a shoulder injury.

But it’s the perfect time for rookie backrower Kulikefu Finefeuiaki to put himself in the shop front window.

Finefeuiaki has huge wraps on him in Townsville but has also caught the attention of NRL suitors.

The 19-year old is still on a development deal at the Cowboys and will hit the market from November 1.

Clubs like the Bulldogs and the Storm are looking to add strike and power to their pack for next season and Finefeuiaki fits the bill.

SUPERCOACH - Latrell Mitchell

Nathan Cleary came back from a long stint on the sidelines with an 81-point performance on the weekend, and now South Sydney’s Latrell Mitchell is poised to post similar numbers on Friday night.

Mitchell has averaged 74 points in the first game back from a serious injury since 2020.

And with Mitchell to come up against the Wests Tigers, a defensive unit that can be picked apart, a big score could be on the cards for the fullback on his return to the field for the first time since round 12.