Nathan Cleary leaves field in ‘devastating blow’ weeks out from Origin

In the last sight any Blue-blooded NSW fan wanted to see, Nathan Cleary has added yet another headache in “devastating” scenes.

Nathan Cleary left the field. Photo: Fox Sports

Just when NSW coach Michael Maguire thought his problems couldn’t get any worse, Panthers and Blues halfback Nathan Cleary has left the field in the shadow of halftime against the Bulldogs.

While the Panthers have ultimately claimed the win with a 16-10 result at BlueBet Stadium, but it came at an enormous cost after Cleary left the field at the break.

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The Panthers scored their second try of the opening half to take a 12-0 lead into the break, but the big news became Cleary when he informed the trainer that something wasn’t right with replays showing he was shaking his head.

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

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

“It is very close to halftime but the fact that the head was down, straight to dressing room and they used the change, they used a replacement, the early indication would not be good,” Andrew Voss said.

Cooper Cronk said: “It has to be soft tissue because there’s no limp, so he’s felt something.”

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

At halftime, the Panthers’ Brian To’o was hoping for the best, telling Fox Sports’ Lara Pitt that “he’ll be alright, he’s in good hands with the staff here, so whatever happens happens.”

Corey Parker said they were “worrying signs” but hoped it would not be too bad.

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.”

Early in the second half, Pitt added: “Just confirming it’s an irritation of the current hamstring injury. He felt a twitch during the first half and they’re being extremely overcautious.

“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.

The Panthers had young half Jack Cole on the interchange bench, who replaced Nathan but Pitt also revealed that replacement half Brad Schneider had suffered a leg injury of his own in the reserve grade clash earlier in the day.

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

It leaves the Panthers short on halves for the next few weeks and gives the Blues selectors more than a few headaches.

Brien Seeney, the NRL X personality behind the NRL Physio account posted: “Nathan Cleary is off after re-injuring his hamstring. Tricky recovery:

- initial rehab longer than expected

- returned 2 weeks ago & had tightness, so missed last week

- re-injured again tonight

“Rehab for a re-injury usually more conservative - unlikely to be 1-2 week recovery.”

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

But with a short turnaround, Cleary was kept on ice for the Panthers’ win over the Rabbitohs in round 9 before suffering the potentially devastating blow against the Bulldogs.

With State of Origin game 1 on Wednesday June 5th, meaning the NSW Origin team will be likely named on May 26th, Cleary may not play another game before the game 1 squad is selected.

The Panthers now join the Sharks and Storm, who play each other on Saturday night, on 16 competition points and could finish the weekend as high as second on the ladder but no lower than third.

The Bulldogs will likely remain ninth on the ladder, short of an enormous win by the teams below them.