The Panthers have all however misplaced any probability of reeling in Melbourne within the race for the NRL minor premiership after happening to the Storm on Thursday night time however their hopes of successful the primary trophy might have vanished after Nathan Cleary suffered what appeared like a critical shoulder damage.
Penrith’s star halfback was taken off clutching at his shoulder with 12 minutes remaining and together with his instant taking part in future in jeopardy, Penrith’s hopes of a fourth straight title are clouded at finest.
Melbourne now have a four-point lead on Penrith after the 24-22 nail-biter with three video games left so they’re nearly sure to complete first.
For Ivan Cleary, the primary query is whether or not his son can be again quickly and even in any respect this season in what could be a hammer blow to their shot at changing into the primary staff since St George’s golden period practically 60 years to win 4 titles on the trot.
1. Cleary in critical ache after shoulder damage
Cleary underwent shoulder surgical procedure on the finish of the 2021 season instantly following the Grand Last win over South Sydney after struggling a dislocation halfway by means of the yr in Origin however that was to his proper shoulder.
This time round it was his left, which was closely strapped pre-game although it has been hamstring issues this yr which have twice brought about him to spend prolonged stints on the sidelines.
“Involved. It was unhealthy sufficient for him to come back off,” mentioned coach Ivan Cleary of his son, revealing he harm it within the pre-season and it’s an aggravation of that damage.
“He harm it within the pre-season and had some bother with it early within the yr after which all through the hamstring points bought on prime of it and it’s a recurrence.”
Panthers star Nathan Cleary howls in ache after injuring his shoulder. (Photograph by Brendon Thorne/Getty Photos)
He’ll get scans on Monday to find out the extent of the injury.
The 26-year-old didn’t appear to undergo a heavy blow however as quickly as he went to the turf after he was tackled by Melbourne front-rower Josh King, the gun playmaker was in seen ache and was instantly taken off by the coach.
“He’s in critical discomfort,” mentioned Cooper Cronk on Fox League.
Fellow premiership winner Michael Ennis added post-game: “It might be catastrophic for them.”
Panthers director Greg Alexander feared that Cleary had dislocated his shoulder.
“If it’s come out and it’s stayed out, what ligament injury there may be to it?” he mentioned. “He could be devastated. It definitely didn’t look good.”
Jarome Luai will take over as chief playmaker whereas Cleary is out with utility again Daine Laurie or younger gun Jack Cole the possible choices to be his halves associate.
“He’s a tricky man so I’m positive he’ll be again on the sector quickly,” Luai informed 9.
Nelson Asofa-Solomona is tackled. (Photograph by Brendon Thorne/Getty Photos)
2. Panthers sleeping giants or Cat Empire crumbling?
It’s been a loss of life by a thousand wage cap cuts for Penrith and they’re going to maintain coming within the low season with James Fisher-Harris heading to the Warriors whereas Jarome Luai and Sunia Turuva change their stripes to grow to be Tigers.
The Panthers had been with out suspended star Liam Martin and injured second-row associate Scott Sorensen in addition to centre choices Paul Alamoti, Taylan Might and Jesse McLean towards Melbourne.
At 10-0 down the Storm had the run of the sport and should you had been projecting forward for this possible Grand Last preview, you can be forgiven for considering Craig Bellamy’s staff was the higher possibility for 2024 premiership glory.
However 10 minutes after Eliesa Katoa put Melbourne up with their second strive from a bomb, it was 10-10 after Lindsay Smith was assisted to the road by Isaah Yeo and Izack Tago pounced on a Jarome Luai grubber.
Once more once they trailed at half-time there was no panic and Luai mixed with Casey McLean for Edwards to make it 18-16.
A junior rep star, McLean is barely 19 however seems to be sure to be the subsequent readymade star to roll off the unending native manufacturing line.
He scored Penrith’s subsequent strive for a six-point lead earlier than Storm tremendous solar Tyran Wishart equalised through an aesthetic present and go.
A James Fisher-Harris penalty for taking out Jahrome Hughes late after a cross gifted the Storm the lead with eight minutes left.
After getting out of jail final week towards Parra there was no escape for the premiers this time round and with the cumulative impact of the wage cap, Cleary’s damage and the grind of 5 straight seasons making a deep playoff run, the door is ajar for the Storm or one other staff just like the Roosters or Sharks to swoop.
Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy was dissatisfied to cough up the early 10-point lead: “Aside from that I assumed our guys had been large.
“All of them backed one another up in defence and we bought there in the long run.
“No matter got here up tonight we appeared to deal with it OK.”
Bellamy indicated he would look to relaxation gamers over the ultimate three weeks of the common season, from coaching and video games, to freshen them up for the finals.
3. Nelson binned for taking out opponent … and teammate
Storm prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona was sin-binned for an incident within the fifty fifth minute which was nothing in need of weird.
The chest of the Kiwi behemoth collected Laurie as he tackled the winger whereas his swinging arm appeared to overlook him solely to clock teammate Cameron Munster within the face.
Munster was taken off with a nasty gash and a really sore head whereas NAS was then banished by Ashley Klein to go away the Storm scrambling.
“The arm doesn’t hit Daine Laurie in any respect,” claimed Andrew Johns on 9 commentary however Klein was adamant it collected the Panther behind the top.
Bellamy wasn’t positive the place the contact was ith Laurie however joked: “He in all probability deserved it, Munster.”
4. Aerial route a weak spot for Penrith again three
The Panthers possess arguably the perfect fullback and winger within the sport in Dylan Edwards and Brian To’o.
However they’re additionally two of the shortest of their respective positions.
And the Storm exploited their vertical limitations on Thursday night time with towering winger Will Warbrick establishing two tries for his proper edge ahead Eliesa Katoa.
Laurie surprisingly bought the nod forward of standard left winger Sunia Turuva and neither of these two choices have peak on their aspect.
5: Pray for Jack Howarth at coaching
Storm centre Jack Howarth might be in for the torture chamber at coaching through the week after his mind fade late within the first half.
Ryan Papenhuyzen launched a kick from the 20-metre restart which bounced fantastically into contact to present the Storm a shot at a two-point discipline aim to increase their six-point lead.
However after the Panthers rolled the cube with a captain’s problem, the replays confirmed Howarth had inexplicably wandered over the 20m mark to be offside.
Not solely did his carelessness negate Papenhuyzen’s kick, it gifted Penrith a penalty proper in entrance so a possible eight-point buffer was slashed in half.
Craig Bellamy’s blood stress doubled on the spot and if Howarth survives coaching subsequent week, he might be lining up within the NSW Cup as punishment for his blunder.
Not less than it didn’t price them in the long run with the Storm getting up by two but when they’d misplaced by the identical margin, it’d be hit the highway, Jack.
The Kick: Obstruction calls go from black and white to gray areas
Melbourne’s first strive was doubtful at finest however after they scored a match-winner final week in related circumstances, no crocodile tears had been shed for Penrith.
Howarth’s decoy run to the surface shoulder of Cleary left the Penrith star sprawling on his again because the guests spun the ball extensive for Grant Anderson touched down.
The strive was awarded by Ashley Klein and confirmed by the Bunker after it was dominated that Cleary was not going to have the ability to get throughout in cowl.
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“So long as they’re constant it’s truthful sport,” opined Immortal halfback Andrew Johns on 9 commentary.
However they’re not. And that’s the issue.
Earlier this season it was all in regards to the black and white interpretations of the rule e book when it got here to obstructions.
Now discretion is the flavour of the month.
