Andrew Johns calls out Nathan Cleary 'fib' as Panthers star's fitness thrown into doubt

NRL legend Andrew Johns has questioned whether Nathan Cleary is really as fit as the Panthers have suggested ahead of the Penrith halfback's return against the Roosters on Friday night. Cleary is set to make his return for the first time since NRL round 24 having left the field clutching at his shoulder against the Storm.

Cleary's fitness and recovery have been kept quiet for some time, but coach Ivan Cleary said the halfback was always going to be fit for the finals clash with the Roosters. Furthermore, fans have been left surprised Cleary will play with minimum pain management for his shoulder having nearly fully recovered from his three weeks off.

However, not everyone believes the full update surrounding Cleary's return. Legendary halfback Johns feels Penrith are trying to play down Cleary's injury ahead of the NRL finals. This week, Angus Crichton already hinted he would be sending some traffic Cleary's ways to welcome back the premiership winner to the finals.

And Johns mentioned a moment in the build-up to Penrith's round 26 clash against the Rabbitohs that has him suggesting Cleary might not be as fit as reported. Ahead of the Rabbitohs clash, Johns claimed Cleary gave two answers over his shoulder recovery. And Johns feels the Panthers are playing mind-games over the Penrith star's comeback.

"We interviewed him before the game," Johns said on the 'Freddy and The Eighth podcast'. "I said to him, 'out of 10, how would you rate it?'. Off camera he said six, then on camera he said seven. So it's between six and seven. So it's probably a five." Even if Cleary isn't back at his best, many feel his return is enough to give the Panthers an edge over the Roosters.

Brad Fittler calls for Liam Martin to stand up

Regardless, Johns was confident the Panthers would emerge victorious against the Roosters even if Cleary isn't at his best. However, Roosters great Brad Fittler claimed Cleary might need some help from backrower Liam Martin.

This week, Roosters forward Crichton suggested Cleary can expect traffic sent his way during the contest. “I won’t be changing my game at all,” Crichton said of his State of Origin teammate. “It’s always my job to run at halfbacks and try to create a bit of ruck speed.

“Nathan is no slouch and he’s not going to be playing if he’s not fit. I’m expecting Nathan to be at his normal defensive best because he’s one of the best halves in the game and one of the best players in the comp."

Fittler suggested Martin could be the key for the Panthers if they are to get a week off and advance to the NRL preliminary final with a win on Friday night. "If Liam Martin's the best player on the field, they win," Fittler added.

Earlier in the week, coach Cleary talked up the return of Nathan Cleary ahead of the NRL finals. “This was always the plan to play him this week,” coach Cleary said on Wednesday afternoon. “The stakes have moved up and we always want to pick our best team. He’s ready this week.

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“His rehab has gone really well and he’s feeling really confident, so everything has gone to plan. Because he hasn’t been playing, we haven’t really been worrying about him.

“With him coming back in and being our chief playmaker and one of our captains, he’ll move the team around and give everyone a bit of direction and confidence.” The winner of Friday night's clash will earn a week off."