LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
Ivan Cleary, the head coach of the Penrith Panthers, provided an update on the condition of fullback Dylan Edwards after he left the field with a groin injury, leaving him in doubt for the upcoming Grand Final rematch against the Melbourne Storm.
Cleary explained that Edwards could have continued playing but they decided to bring on a fresh fullback from the bench due to the situation in the game.
Meanwhile, the Sydney Roosters pulled off a remarkable victory, which is being hailed as one of their best wins of the season.
However, for Cleary's Panthers, it is a time to regroup and prepare for the tough challenge of facing the Melbourne Storm.
The Panthers have been struggling defensively, conceding over 20 points in consecutive weeks, and now they may have to cope without Edwards in their lineup.
"He just had a bit of a groin strain," Cleary stated regarding Edwards' injury.
"He could have kept playing but just the way the game was and what we needed at the time, we had a fresh fullback sitting on the bench, that is why we made that call."
With Edwards' availability uncertain, the Panthers will need to focus on shoring up their defense and finding ways to overcome the formidable Melbourne Storm in the upcoming clash.
Cleary's men will have to work hard to elevate their performance and make up for the absence of their star fullback as they strive for a victory against the reigning premiers.
As Cleary and the Panthers prepare for the challenging task ahead, the Roosters bask in the glory of their incredible win, setting the stage for an exciting showdown between the two teams in their respective matches.
The focus now shifts to how both teams will respond to their current situations and what strategies they will employ to emerge triumphant in their upcoming fixtures.