Penrith are set to rest a number of key players for the blockbuster NRL clash.
Nathan Cleary has confirmed reports he won’t play for the Panthers against the Bulldogs on Thursday night. And former NRL player Joel Caine has floated a worrying theory that he might have been playing injured in recent weeks.
Reports emerged on Monday afternoon that Cleary was set to be rested for the blockbuster clash with the Bulldogs, and a number of other big-name Panthers won’t be playing either. Speaking on ‘100% Footy’ on Channel 9 on Monday night, the superstar halfback confirmed he won’t be playing.
“I won’t be playing this week,” he said. “I just had a chat to the performance staff and thought it’d be the best thing for me. We’ll find out the rest of the team tomorrow. We had a day off today and will be back into training tomorrow (Tuesday).”
Brad Schneider is likely to play halfback after he didn’t feature in NSW Cup last weekend – a move that signalled Cleary was about to be rested. Paul Alamoti and Matt Eisenhuth were also withdrawn from the Panthers’ NSW Cup game, meaning they’re likely to play first-grade against the Bulldogs.
Brian To’o has been battling a few niggles and looms as another likely option to be rested, while co-captain Isaah Yeo only recently returned from a shoulder injury. Fullback Dylan Edwards has also endured another gruelling campaign featuring State of Origin games, and could use a week off following back-to-back performances in which he made three errors apiece.
The Panthers have seemingly opted against prioritising trying to secure a home final. A loss to the Bulldogs would all-but rule them out of finishing fifth or sixth on the NRL ladder, which would give them a home final in week one. However the fact they’re playing home games at CommBank Stadium in Parramatta this year means the home field advantage isn’t as significant as in seasons past.
Has Nathan Cleary been playing injured?
Speaking on SEN radio on Monday afternoon, Caine questioned whether Cleary has been playing injured. The former Wests Tigers player pointed out some worrying numbers around Cleary’s defence in recent weeks and suggested he might have a shoulder injury.
Across the first 19 rounds of the season, Cleary averaged just one missed tackle per game. But since then he’s averaged five misses per game – including five against the Tigers, nine against the Titans and seven against the Raiders.
“I’m gonna ask a big question here… I think he’s injured,” Caine said. “I think he’s going to be a future immortal and Nathan Cleary has, in my opinion, fully fit, zero defensive issues.
“I think it’s a shoulder injury or something. He’s a big, strong body, he’s a winner, he’s a great defensive player. I am convinced this guy’s injured because he’s too good to be having these numbers. This is not a knock on Nathan Cleary. Conversely, it’s pumping him up. I’m convinced this guy wants this premiership so badly, he is playing busted.”
The Panthers’ resting of players in Round 26 means they won’t head into the finals cold. They’ll likely play their full-strength team in Round 27 against the Dragons and head into the playoffs on a strong note.
However the timing has raised questions, with Penrith-based journalist Peter Lang writing on social media: “Clearly coach Ivan Cleary has a plan and in Ivan we trust, but wouldn’t it still be advantageous to finish fifth or sixth and play at ‘home’ rather than away possibly in New Zealand or Brisbane? Interesting times ahead.”
