LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
In a twist of fate that has left the Panthers reeling, NRL superstar Nathan Cleary appears to be facing some time on the sidelines due to a hamstring injury.
This news comes hot on the heels of the Panthers denying claims that Cleary was struggling in their recent win over Brisbane, only for him to be seen exiting the field with just minutes to spare.
Some reports suggest that Cleary may miss up to four weeks of action, reminiscent of his troubles with the same injury back in 2023.
Despite the Panthers initially downplaying any concerns about Cleary's fitness, it has now been confirmed that he has indeed suffered a minor strain to his hamstring.
This setback is eerily reminiscent of last year when Cleary was forced to sit out several games due to the same issue, including crucial State of Origin matches for the Blues.
As Cleary nurses his injury, the Panthers will have to turn to back-up half Brad Schneider to fill his shoes, as they gear up to face the Roosters on Thursday night.
With Scott Sorenson also sidelined and concerns over James Fisher-Harris's fitness, the Panthers are facing a challenging time ahead.
The news of Cleary's injury has sent shockwaves through the NRL world, leaving fans and rivals alike taken aback.
However, as they say in the world of Rugby League, it's not about how hard you hit, but how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.
Here's hoping for a speedy recovery for Cleary and a strong comeback for the Panthers.