Penrith’s Cleary limps out of Bulldogs clash

Jasper Bruce | May 10, 2024

Nathan Cleary’s State of Origin hopes have been thrown into doubt after he aggravated his troublesome hamstring injury during Penrith’s round 10 match against Canterbury.

Cleary pulled up chasing his own kick late in the first half of Friday night’s clash and left the field minutes later, after Brian To’o scored the Panthers’ second try on their way to a 12-0 lead at the break.

The star halfback did not return after halftime, replaced in the spine by Jack Cole.

The setback continues a frustrating start to the year for Cleary, who missed a month with the injury to his right hamstring earlier in the season and was rested last week, only one match after making his comeback.

Cleary’s departure was the last thing NSW coach Michael Maguire needed as he faces a dearth of strong halves options for the series opener on June 5.

The Penrith star, who would be a walk-up starter to play halfback, will go for scans over the weekend to determine the severity of his latest setback.

The injury could open the door for Cronulla playmaker Nicho Hynes to start at halfback for the Blues, with Parramatta’s Mitch Moses facing his own race against time to make the series opener following a fractured foot.

For the Panthers, the door is now open for highly rated youngster Cole to prove himself as a starting half after Cleary’s usual understudy Brad Schneider suffered a knee injury playing NSW Cup on Friday.