Panthers and Blues breathe easier as Nathan Cleary nears return, boosting finals hopes and Origin dreams in thrilling comeback bid.
June 22, 2025 — 1:39 PM
Penrith Panthers are increasingly optimistic that star players Nathan Cleary and Brian To’o will be fit to face top-of-the-table Canterbury this Thursday, in a development that not only strengthens their push for a finals berth but also boosts NSW’s hopes ahead of the State of Origin decider.
Both Cleary and To’o missed Penrith’s impressive 28-18 win over the high-flying Warriors in New Zealand on Saturday. The duo had been managing respective injuries — Cleary with a groin issue and To’o with a hamstring concern — which were aggravated during last Wednesday’s narrow Origin II loss to Queensland.
Cleary, who picked up his injury during NSW’s final training session ahead of that game, relinquished goalkicking responsibilities after experiencing a “pop” in his groin. Despite being physically compromised, he still played through the pain in the 26-24 defeat.
Now, following several days of rest and recovery, the Panthers are hopeful both stars will be cleared to play in Thursday’s crucial fixture. All five of Penrith’s Origin representatives are scheduled to check in with club staff on Monday, with recovery the sole focus, given the short turnaround from the weekend’s match and the lingering impact of Origin.
Communication between NSW medical staff and the Panthers, as well as direct input from Cleary and To’o, suggests both players are on track to be available. Notably, neither player has been sent for scans, indicating that the injuries are not severe enough to warrant further medical imaging at this stage.
Cleary’s ability to participate in Origin II just one day after sustaining the groin injury has raised hopes that, with an eight-day recovery window, he’ll be nearly back to full fitness when the Panthers meet the Bulldogs. NSW team doctor Nathan Gibbs and Cleary himself believe the extra rest time will prove beneficial.
Should Cleary or his usual halves partner Jarome Luai suffer any setbacks before the July 9 Origin III decider, NSW coach Laurie Daley has several alternative options to consider. Matt Burton — a regular 18th man — remains in the frame, while younger talents such as Isaiya Katoa and Luke Metcalf, as well as experienced Broncos playmaker Adam Reynolds, are all possibilities to fill any sudden vacancies.
However, former Blues legend Andrew Johns issued a word of warning. Speaking from his own experience, Johns cautioned against Cleary rushing his recovery. He revealed that he dealt with similar adductor problems at Cleary’s age, issues that eventually required four surgeries and took over a year to fully resolve. The wear and tear caused by repeated kicking motions, something familiar to other playmakers like Brad Fittler and Cameron Munster, often leads to such persistent groin injuries.
“When you’ve had groin issues like that, it’s always in the back of your mind,” Johns said. “Whether you’re accelerating into a gap or trying to bust through a tackle, you’re half expecting it to ‘go’ again.”
In other news, Penrith’s Scott Sorenson faces disciplinary action following Saturday’s match. The back-rower is set to receive a two-match suspension after being cited for a hip-drop tackle on Warriors winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, who had to leave the field due to an ankle injury. Watene-Zelezniak is now waiting on scan results, but early signs point to a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Additionally, Sorenson is expected to be fined $1,800 for a separate incident — a careless high tackle on Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad during the same game.
Despite the controversy surrounding Sorenson, Saturday’s performance was a major confidence boost for a Panthers side that had struggled earlier in the season. Penrith coach Ivan Cleary praised his squad for a gutsy win, especially given the absence of their Origin players. The team’s earlier five-game losing streak had threatened to derail their campaign, but the recent form suggests they may have found their rhythm again.
While Cleary didn’t go so far as to declare a full turnaround, he acknowledged improvements in preparation and performance. “There’s still a long way to go,” the coach said. “We’ll finish where we deserve. At the start of the year, our performances didn’t warrant wins — and we didn’t get them.”
He added that the squad has learned valuable lessons and is now playing a more effective and competitive brand of football, giving themselves a stronger chance to win games and stay in finals contention.
The Panthers’ schedule over the next several weeks could give them the opportunity to climb the ladder. After the Bulldogs clash, they face several struggling sides, including Parramatta (away), South Sydney (home), Wests Tigers (home), Gold Coast (away), and Newcastle (away). That stretch could provide a springboard into a strong finish to the regular season.
Penrith’s final four matches are tougher, featuring home games against Melbourne and Canberra, followed by away fixtures against the Bulldogs and Dragons. The path ahead isn’t easy, but it’s far more navigable now that key players like Cleary and To’o are trending toward full fitness.
In summary, both Penrith and the NSW Blues appear to have avoided worst-case scenarios with Cleary and To’o, and their impending return could be the catalyst for a strong finish for both club and state. While injury concerns remain — especially in light of expert warnings — there’s renewed optimism that the Panthers can stabilize their season and the Blues can mount a credible defence of the Origin shield.
