LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
Nathan Cleary, the champion halfback of the Panthers, is set to make a triumphant return to the field this year after suffering a shoulder injury in a clash against the Melbourne Storm.
The Panthers have delivered some good news, announcing that Cleary will not require surgery despite dislocating his shoulder during the game.
Cleary, who was forced to exit the field in the midst of the Panthers' 24-22 loss to the Storm, underwent scans to determine the extent of the injury.
Fortunately, the scans revealed minor damage, sparing Cleary from going under the knife.
The injury, described as a dislocation/instability issue, occurred during a tackle with Josh King, leaving Cleary visibly distraught as he sat in the dressing room with ice packs on his injured shoulder.
This latest injury comes as a setback for Cleary, who had previously battled through a shoulder injury in 2021 to lead his team to victory in the grand final.
He underwent surgery in the off-season to address that injury, and it seems he may be facing a similar road to recovery in 2024.
Coach Ivan Cleary expressed his concern over his son's injury, revealing that it had been bothering Nathan since the pre-season.
"I'm worried," Ivan admitted in a press conference.
"It was serious enough for him to be substituted off.
Once we have the results of the scans, we'll have a clearer picture of the next steps."
Despite this setback, Panthers fans can take comfort in knowing that their star halfback is determined to return to the field and lead his team to victory once again.
As Cleary gears up for his comeback, the Panthers will be relying on his skill and leadership to steer them through the challenges ahead.