The Panthers will be sweating on a shoulder injury to Nathan Cleary ahead of next week’s grand final — despite the star halfback attempting to hose down concern.
“It’s all good… just a little knock at the end but (I) ended up playing out the next two sets and it felt fine,” Cleary said in the post-game press conference after lifting his arm to prove there was nothing to be worried about.
The Panthers advanced to a fifth straight grand final, but Penrith fans and staff had their hearts in their mouth when Cleary clutched at his troublesome left shoulder late in the contest.
In the 72nd minute, Cleary pulled off a covering tackle to deny the Sharks a try, but he got to his feet clutching at the same shoulder that saw him miss a large chunk of the back half of the season.
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Decision has Cleary “worried” about GF | 12:54
“Cleary clutching at the shoulder,” commentator Dan Ginnane said on Fox League.
“Cleary in a little bit of trouble. The first time we have seen that tonight.
“For the first time in this finals series Nathan Cleary is troubled by that shoulder injury.”
Expert analyst Corey Parker noted the fact Cleary stayed on the field as evidence it may not be too serious.
However the champion No.7 ended up being replaced by Brad Schneider in the final six minutes.
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However, Cooper Cronk, who knows about shoulder injuries, believes that it was the type of tackle that puts a lot of strain on shoulder injuries.
“With a shoulder injury like that, whenever it is extended like that on the outside of the body, that is when it can pop back out,” Cronk said.
“The fact that he had to do a reaching tackle and reached out and extended.”
Fox League’s Yvonne Sampson revealed Cleary jarred his shoulder in the post match coverage.
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“Word from the field is that Nathan Cleary jarred that shoulder and he will be fine,” Sampson said.
The press conference began with a question directed straight at Cleary about his shoulder and he was quick to shut down speculation.
After saying his shoulder is “all good” there was a follow up question on whether he had any problem lifting it.
Cleary said “nup” and lifted his left arm up to prove it.
Cleary injury concern for Grand Final? | 01:42
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