Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai switch on the cards as Panthers float massive NRL change
Cleary's kicking duties will be kept to a minimum on his return from a hamstring injury.
The Panthers are set to manage Nathan Cleary's in-game workload as he makes his long-awaited return to the NRL this weekend. The Penrith superstar is named to play against the Dolphins on Saturday, 10 weeks after he aggravated a hamstring injury in Round 10 against the Bulldogs.
The Panthers have decided to play it very safe with their star halfback since, however he's set to return to the No.7 role this weekend to partner Brad Schneider in the halves. Regular No.6 Jarome Luai has been named among the reserves and will likely come into the matchday line-up ahead of Schneider after completing his State of Origin duties.
But despite being declared fit and ready to return to action, Panthers coach Ivan Cleary has said a lot of the general play kicking will be left up to his halves partner for the clash against the in-form Dolphins - whether that be Luai or Schneider. Cleary normally does the bulk of the kicking for Penrith, but that load will switch to Luai to protect Cleary's hamstring.
"We've left no stone unturned. We've changed a few things, but haven't thrown out anything either," Ivan Cleary said on Tuesday. "Definitely around some kicking loads. Other than that, he's just been doing some stuff behind the scenes strengthening it. He understood from when he did it, he wanted to make sure he wanted to tick every box on the way back. Now he's done that, he's pretty hungry."
The Panthers on Tuesday opted to leave out NSW State of Origin duo Isaah Yeo and Dylan Edwards for this weekend's clash, with Luai, Liam Martin and Brian To'o all on an extended bench as Penrith look to give their star troops some much-needed rest ahead of a push for a fourth consecutive premiership. The Penrith coach has also made it clear to his son that there is no pressure on him to come back into the side at full speed.
Cleary has played just five NRL matches in 2024 and has been instructed to take it easy as he works his way back to full fitness. The Panthers currently sit in 2nd and have a stranglehold on a top-four place, meaning the results of the next few weeks will have limited impact on their finals place.
"I have to try and keep him understanding he will have to work his way back in," Cleary said. "We can't just expect him to come back and do everything. In the past he has come back from injury strongly, so hoping that is the case. He's looked really good. It's been a while. We've probably been a little conservative."
Mitch Kenny excited to have Nathan Cleary back
The Panthers have admitted Cleary would have been ready to play in Round 19 - nine weeks after the injury occurred - but with the bye last week, they were given the perfect chance to give their No.7 one more week. But with the star halfback set to return this week, his Panthers teammates are excited to have their leader back on the park.
“I’m definitely hoping (he plays this week), but it’s one of those things that we wouldn’t want to rush,” Panthers hooker Mitch Kenny said on Monday. “No matter what the circumstances are, he’s always working hard.
“He’d be stinging to get out there because he’s a footballer and he hasn’t been able to play for a lot of the season. He’s been great around the group. I’m sure internally it’s been quite frustrating for him, but it looks like he’s tracking pretty well and hopefully he’s back out this week doing what he does best.”
Jack Cole heralds Nathan Cleary's NRL IQ
Despite losing their star half, the Panthers have hardly missed a beat in his absence. Rookie Cole and veteran Schneider have filled in flawlessly in the halves, while Luai has stepped up and taken control of the side in his absence. But Cole says Cleary is just on a different level and can do things that others can't.
“He sees the game in a different way to anyone else," Cole said. "It’s like he’s playing in slow motion, especially at training where everyone’s playing fast but he seems to be at a different pace.
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“Even listening to the language he uses when he speaks about footy is so different. You can be in the same room as him and you just have to listen to him – you don’t need to ask questions – and you learn so much.
“He’s next level and I hope to be learning from him for a long time. Still being young, I’ve been trying to pick up that language and put it into my game. You’re always picking up on little things that you wouldn’t normally look for (when you listen to Cleary). When you start, you probably don’t think the game is that sophisticated, but that’s why he’s so good because he looks at all the little things that add up to the big things.”
with AAP
