By Dan Walsh
Melbourne have lost Dally M halfback Jahrome Hughes to a broken hand as the Storm and Panthers count the cost of a brutal grand final rematch that has also ruled Nathan Cleary out of next week’s clash against South Sydney.
Scans on Friday confirmed that Hughes played at least the second half with a hand fracture that requires surgery and will rule him out for the next two weeks.
He joins Nick Meaney on the sidelines after the centre sustained a fractured cheekbone in a heavy collision with teammate Nelson Asofa-Solomona, who is also out of next week’s clash with the Dragons after failing a subsequent HIA.
Cleary and Hughes stopped the show after just seven minutes in Melbourne’s thrilling 30-24 win on Thursday night when the champion halfbacks collided heavily in pursuit of an early kick.
Both playmakers stayed down afterwards, though it’s believed Hughes broke his hand at another point in the first half and played on for 50-60 minutes with the fracture. Cleary came off worse from the spectacular impact that sent him flying into the air and landing heavily on his head.
The Panthers star was immediately ruled to have suffered a category 1 concussion and will miss next Thursday’s round four clash against the Rabbitohs while observing the NRL’s mandatory 11-day stand-down policy.
Nathan Cleary is assisted from the field after suffering the concussion.Credit: Getty Images
“[Nathan] seems OK, he remembers the incident, so that’s a good thing,” Penrith coach Ivan Cleary said post-match, with the halfback in good spirits when travelling back to Sydney on Friday.
“I thought the boys were very brave... 14-0 down and losing Nat is a pretty big thing mentally, against a great team, I thought we hung in well.”
Melbourne will play the Dragons and Sea Eagles without Hughes, while Meaney will be out for four to six weeks. Utility Tyran Wishart shapes as Hughes’ likely replacement at the scrumbase.
Back-up half Jonah Pezet – who knocked back a lucrative offer from Newcastle over the summer to re-sign with the Storm – is another option to partner Cameron Munster in the halves. However, his return from an ACL rupture has been delayed by a late pre-season issue and he is only now ready to return to game-play.
Melbourne and Penrith players scuffle over one of several clashes between Cameron Munster and Liam Martin.Credit: Getty Images
Melbourne’s woes were at least eased by Munster avoiding any charge for a reported hip drop on Penrith’s Liam Martin, with the Match Review Committee deeming the contact not worthy of a citation.
Munster and Martin continued the running battle they have engaged in over recent years throughout the game, with Munster claiming the Panthers back-rower “called me a liability in the first half”.
“It’s always fun with Marto. He’s one of the best back-rowers in the game,” Munster said afterwards.
“You want to play against the best. He’s definitely one of them, and it’s always good to go up against him and see where you’re at. We like a bit of niggle between us.”
Storm winger Grant Anderson and back-rower Eliesa Katoa were also cleared of knee injuries they finished the game with and will be available next week against St George Illawarra. So too Ryan Papenhuyzen, who rolled his ankle late in the tense victory.
Penrith’s young halves Jack Cole and Blaize Talagi held their own in Cleary’s absence, particularly considering Talagi was making his club debut from the bench after replacement fullback Daine Laurie was ruled out with a quad injury.
The Panthers will be without Cleary and NSW Origin fullback Dylan Edwards next week, leaving hooker Mitch Kenny as the only available member of last year’s premiership-winning spine.
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