‘Depends on Nathan’s foot’: Paranoid Panthers hide Cleary from sight
Penrith have gone into full lockdown mode ahead of their blockbuster finals clash with Newcastle, pitching black tarpaulins around their training facility as speculation intensifies over Nathan Cleary’s mystery foot injury.
The temporary shutters were fitted on Thursday in an attempt to block media vision and prevent any assessment of Cleary’s movement. While the Panthers insist Cleary is expected to play on Sunday, the club’s silence and the length they are taking to hide their preparations have only fuelled concerns.
Tarps block sight of Penrith training. X
Melbourne five-eighth Cameron Munster summed up the situation bluntly on Today.
“It depends on Nathan’s foot,” he said.
“If Nathan’s foot is no good, then it’s going to be very hard for Penrith with their kicking game.”
Cleary suffered the injury in the win over the Roosters last week, and while he finished the match, his post-kick reaction – hobbling, unable to rise onto his toes, running on his heels – raised alarms. His late field goal also wobbled unnaturally, a stark contrast to his usual textbook strike.
Andrew Johns believes Cleary’s injury is the single biggest factor that will decide the preliminary final.
“The game is going to be dictated by Nathan Cleary’s foot,” Johns said on Freddy and the Eighth.
“It’s the great unknown with the Panthers and their medical staff at the moment.”
Johns broke down Penrith’s kicking blueprint, a system perfected and built around Cleary’s precision and technique.
“I’ve watched it for half a dozen years. They come to the right, hit Liam Martin, he puts it in. Nathan comes around the short side and kicks. You get the ball back in that 10x10 square, 10 metres out from your line,” Johns explained.
“They bash you, get the ball back on the 40, and Nathan has an attacking kick.”
If Cleary cannot execute that pattern, Penrith’s entire territorial game could collapse.
Nathan Cleary is in doubt. Getty Images
As it stands, Jack Cole is named at five-eighth, and Jack Cogger is on the bench. Johns says the kicking angles may become skewed.
“If Nathan’s not kicking, the five-eighth will be Jack Cole or Jack Cogger. They’re right‑foot kickers on the left side of the ruck,” he said.
“If Newcastle can harass them enough, instead of getting the ball two metres out, you might be getting it 15 metres out. That changes everything.”
It also affects Kalyn Ponga’s kick‑return options. A midfield ball gives Newcastle shape, whereas a corner ball allows Penrith to compress and dominate.
Johns also has concerns about Cleary’s defensive mobility.
“Has he got explosive movements to get off that lead and get at Kalyn down Newcastle’s left side? And will he have Blaize Talagi outside him? Blaize has had some deficiencies. Does it change the way they defend?”
If Cleary is unable to move freely, Penrith may be forced to defensively jam; a risky approach against Ponga, who thrives when defenders hesitate or sit passive around halfway.
Johns believes Newcastle’s momentum makes them less concerned about Penrith’s secrecy.
“Their confidence is so high… when you’ve got that magic happening, it doesn’t matter who you’re coming up against,” the Knights icon said.
“I don’t think they’ll be thinking about it too much… they’ll be thinking about Nathan Cleary’s foot.”
Although Cole has been named to partner Cleary in a stunning selection twist, Cogger is available after suspension and sits on the bench. He could be a late switch if Cleary’s kicking load requires support.
Johns expects Cogger to start.
“I have no doubt Cogger will start in the halves because he’s been there and done that.”
If Cleary is compromised, Johns believes it will be a 12-14 point swing. If he is OK, Penrith will be heading straight to their sixth grand final in seven years.
Right now, nobody outside those tarps knows the truth.
