New Update: Cleary shoulder injur confirmed in trip of……..
Nathan Cleary has reaggravated the left shoulder injury he suffered six weeks against Melbourne, raising doubts about whether he will be fit for the rematch when the stakes are at their highest.
Cleary suffered the latest setback with just eight minutes left in Penrith’s 26-6 preliminary final win against Cronulla, a result that has catapulted them into their fifth straight decider. However, the Panthers’ chances of extending their championship streak to four may have suffered the cruellest of blows when the champion halfback was forced from the field.
Cleary hurt himself pulling off a try saver on Kayal Iro, and with the result already secured, he made his way to the sidelines. His fitness will be the biggest story of grand final week.
When Penrith and Melbourne last met six weeks ago, and the game was poised on a knife’s edge, Cleary was also forced from the field with the same shoulder problem. Unable to make the clutch play, the Storm escaped with a thrilling victory.
