Finals week one tips: Andrew Johns exposes Nathan Cleary's injury fib ahead of comeback
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Nathan Cleary's much anticipated return from a shoulder injury for Friday night's qualifying final has given the Panthers clear favouritism as they host the battle worn Roosters but according to Andrew Johns, the gun halfback's fitness has been overstated.
Cleary grimaced in pain as he left the field after re-injuring his shoulder in a tight round 24 loss to the Storm but the Panthers assured fans the following day that he would not require immediate surgery and would return to spearhead his side's finals charge.
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That script has been followed, with Cleary on Tuesday named in the No.7 jersey but there are still question marks over how the injury will hold up in a match situation.
Nathan Cleary looks on during the round 26 match between Penrith and South Sydney. Getty
Trent Robinson sent a warning shot across the bow, admitting the Roosters would be instructed to "ask the question" of Cleary's shoulder, with the star halfback likely to be targeted in the defensive line.
The Panthers will be expecting that and have adeptly answered questions about Cleary's fitness, but the Panthers halfback himself somewhat let the cat out of the bag a fortnight ago.
Cleary was interviewed on Nine's pre-game coverage when they played the Rabbitohs in round 26, with Johns revealing to Wide World of Sports Freddy and the Eighth's Tips that he had given two different answers about his shoulder - one when the camera was turned off, another when it was rolling.
"We interviewed him before the game," Johns said. "I said to him, 'out of 10, how would you rate it?'.
"Off camera he said six, then on camera he said seven," Johns added with a grin. "So it's between six and seven. So it's probably a five."
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Cleary was also battling injury when he carved up the Broncos in an instantly iconic 20-minute masterclass to win Penrith the 2023 grand final from 24-8 down, with Brad Fittler convinced he can get them through the big games again, regardless of his injury status.
"You know what? He's played with injuries before, he's very good at it," Fittler said, adding "he's going to have Angus Crichton running at him..."
"If Cleary's fit I think (the Panthers) win easy," Johns concluded.
"If Nathan's a bit busted I still think they win."
Fittler added that Liam Martin needed to step up and play the bodyguard role for Cleary after losing his form following the State of Origin period.
"If Liam Martin's the best player on the field, they win."
Scroll below for the current leaderboard and week one finals tips by all Nine's expert tipsters!
Nine's NRL tipping leaderboard. Nine
Andrew Johns: Panthers, Storm, Knights, Sea Eagles
Brad Fittler: Panthers, Sharks, Cowboys, Sea Eagles
Billy Slater: Roosters, Storm, Cowboys, Sea Eagles
Darren Lockyer: Panthers, Storm, Cowboys, Bulldogs
Paul Gallen: Panthers, Sharks, Cowboys, Sea Eagles
Mat Thompson: Panthers, Sharks, Cowboys, Sea Eagles
Peter Psaltis: Panthers, Storm, Cowboys, Bulldogs
David Middleton: Panthers, Storm, Cowboys, Sea Eagles
The Mole: Panthers, Storm, Cowboys, Sea Eagles
Ben Glover: Panthers, Storm, Cowboys, Sea Eagles
