Panthers in unlikely NRL finals drama as staggering Nathan Cleary detail comes to light after Raiders loss

The Panthers are in danger of potentially dropping to fourth on the NRL ladder - and finishing the round in third - after the absence of Nathan Cleary was felt in their shock loss to the Raiders on Saturday. Melbourne wrapped-up the minor premiership on Saturday with their spine firing on all cylinders against the Dolphins, but the Panthers were uncharacteristically poor in the nation's capital.

Missing Cleary due to his shoulder injury, the Raiders outmuscled the reigning premiers and late tries to Albert Hopoate and Xavier Savage sealed the victory. Brad Schneider let Jarome Luai run the show, but the Panthers couldn't settle throughout the contest.

Luai's pass was intercepted with a minutes to go to seal the victory for the Raiders and leave coach Ricky Stuart pleased. "I know they got that in them," Stuart said after bouncing back from a brutal loss the week earlier.

"Last week was not us and I don't know where it comes from. I don't think I've been as embarrassed last week as I have all the times I've coached here All week I've told them you owe this club and this jumper a performance. I must say they paid the fans back, they paid the club back ten-fold in their performance."

While Stuart was pleased, Panthers coach Ivan Cleary remained calm after the shock result. "I'm honestly not too worried about that," the mild-mannered Cleary said.

"We've had years in the past where this time of year we're kicking around and waiting for the finals to start, so it's definitely not going to be like that this year. What's important is we hit the finals playing well. At the moment we're not playing well enough."

And without Cleary for the remainder of the regular season, before he returns in the finals, the Panthers face a tricky situation. The Panthers have only won four of their last 11 games without Cleary. The halfback's injury means the Panthers will head into the finals below the performance level where they want to be. The Panthers lost to Manly in round five without Cleary this year, before going down to the Warriors in round 11. They lost to the Dragons in round 13, before a defeat to the Cowboys.

Cleary's return date is also unclear. The Panthers won't want to rush Cleary back into the team with a top four finish just about confirmed, but his presence is clearly important for the squad. This leaves the coaching staff with a huge decision on when is the best time for the halfback to return.

The Sharks and the Roosters lurk behind the Panthers

The Panthers are also in slight danger of finishing in fourth position. The Roosters and the Sharks are only two points behind the Panthers with a game in hand. If both win, they will be level with the Panthers with two games to go.

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Penrith have two favourable games to finish the season when the host the Rabbitohs before facing the Titans in the last round. Although a slip-up could open the door for the Roosters and Sharks. Finishing third or fourth would be a blow for the reigning champions considering they would miss out on a home first up finals round at BlueBet Stadium.

The Roosters face the Titans and have two favourable match-ups to finish the season. Three wins and a favourable for and against would see the Roosters finish in second this year.