Penrith have cleared Nathan Cleary to play despite a foot injury the club describes as a "stress-related bone issue".
The two-time Clive Churchill Medal winner is scheduled to play his 217th NRL match for the Panthers on Sunday, against Newcastle in the preliminary final.
Coach Ivan Cleary said scans showed an injury that could worsen, and the club was managing it to give his son the best chance to play.
"There's enough on (the scans) that there's something wrong with it," coach Ivan told reports on Saturday.
"They're not always conclusive as well, so you've got to go by clinical (diagnosis). Where it's: 'how's that feel? Can you walk?'.
"It basically worked out enough that it's an injury that could get worse for sure. So it's been a period of trying to manage it the best we can so we can get him to play."
Separately, The Daily Telegraph reported that Cleary bought a $5.5 million property in Curl Curl in April, with the purchase emerging publicly before the Newcastle match.
The northern beaches purchase has prompted interest among supporters of clubs such as Manly and the Roosters, but could simply be an investment.
Cleary is contracted to Penrith until the end of 2027 and can negotiate with rival NRL clubs from November if he has not re-signed.
He has previously said he wants to remain near Penrith while playing for the Panthers, where he has long lived close to family and friends.
His property holdings include his current home, bought from father Ivan for $1.7 million in 2022, and a Penrith investment property purchased for $1.05 million in 2018.