By Adam Pengilly and Emma Kemp
Ivan Cleary says son Nathan won’t need a pain-killing injection in his finals return as the three-time defending premiers conceded the Storm were clear title favourites.
The NRL’s most influential player was given the green light on Wednesday to lead the Panthers’ push for another title, only three weeks after suffering a serious shoulder injury.
Having declared he wanted to see Nathan “jump through some hoops” this week, Ivan Cleary confirmed he had no urge to rest the two-time Clive Churchill Medal winner from the qualifying final showdown with the Roosters on Friday night.
“This was always the plan to play him this week,” Ivan Cleary said. “Obviously, the stakes have moved up, and we always want to pick our best team, and he’s ready this week. His rehab has gone really well. He’s feeling really confident.”
The Panthers could have rolled the dice and hoped to give Nathan another fortnight to mend the shoulder if they advanced straight to the grand final qualifier, but are confident their star man can handle the physicality of the Roosters.
Ivan Cleary said there would be “no needles” to numb any soreness for Cleary in his shoulder, with the champion halfback to oppose Roosters back-rower Angus Crichton at Penrith Park.
A frustrated Nathan Cleary is assisted from the field by Penrith chief physio Pete Green.Credit: Getty Images
“I’m really good mates with Nath,” Crichton said. “I’ve got so much respect for him as a player and as a person. When he’s on, he is the best player in the comp. I don’t think there’s a question about that. We’ll make sure that we welcome him back.
“I think a lot of game plans and league, these big guys running around smaller guys and Nathan’s by no account a smaller guy – he is one of the best defensive halves in the competition, so I know he’ll be up for it. He wouldn’t be playing if it wasn’t up for it.
“So, for me to think I’m going to be able to go out there and have a field day against the best player of the comp, I’d be kidding myself. I’ve been preparing like I prepare for every other game. It’s always my job to try and nullify the opposition’s best players, and he’s their best player. ”
Penrith have won their past nine matches against the Roosters.
Their finals clash will be the last time Penrith play at their traditional home before it undergoes a rebuild. The Panthers will play most of their home games at Parramatta’s CommBank Stadium for the next two years.
Despite shooting for a remarkable fourth straight title, the Panthers stressed they didn’t deserve premiership favouritism after patchy wins against the Rabbitohs and Titans in the past fortnight, coupled with the Storm’s minor premiership romp.
“They won the minor premiership with a bit of a gap,” Ivan Cleary said. “The way they’ve played, what they’ve done and what they’ve overcome, I definitely think they’re the favourites.”
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