What you expect from a pro Cleary pushing hard for miracle return

Nathan Cleary will undergo his first contact session this week as the Panthers’ superstar halfback pushes hard to make a miraculous comeback against Melbourne.

Cleary remains in huge doubt for Saturday’s blockbuster clash against the Storm in what is hoped to be a packed Suncorp Stadium, but the No.7 has gone right out of his way to at least put himself in the selection conversation with his around-the-clock dedication to rehabilitating his injured right shoulder.

The Penrith pin-up was expected to be sidelined for at least a month after he dislocated his shoulder - twice - and suffered a labral tear during Origin II, back on June 27.

Cleary is already passing the ball, setting new personal records in the gym with his leg weights, and has regularly been spotted shadowing his father, coach Ivan Cleary, in the middle of the pitch during field sessions.

The Herald was told by Panthers officials that Cleary would face his first acid test when he takes part in a contact session as early as Tuesday.

Melbourne prop Christian Welch terrorised Cleary with his kick pressure in last year’s Grand Final, and would no doubt go out of his way to try and flatten him if by some chance the halfback was named on the extended bench on Tuesday and then actually played.

Nathan Cleary is doing everything to put himself in the Penrith selection debate.Credit:Getty Images

The Storm are set to be boosted by the news coach Craig Bellamy has inked a one-year extension, taking him through to a 20th season with the club.

Cleary took part in some three-on-two drills last week, and also resumed tackling sessions with his “good” left shoulder.

The club has installed a resistance band inside the team room at their Sunshine Coast hotel so Cleary can strengthen his shoulder while watching his teammates play cards or ping pong.

“In typical Nathan fashion he asks what else he can get better at during this time in recovery and how he can help the team,” Panthers head of high performance Hayden Knowles said.

“He works tirelessly with the physios and coaches and contributes around camp in any way he can. He’ll also do extra kicking, goal kicking and helps the coaches, including his dad.

“He’s also increased his leg strength with major lifts like squatting, with his results better than what he was lifting in the pre-season. This whole approach to his recovery started two days after Origin II, when he was allowed back into the Panthers Academy [because of COVID].

Nathan Cleary injures his shoulder in the first half of Origin II.Credit:Channel Nine

“It’s what you expect from a pro - but when it’s Nathan Cleary there’s always that bit more.”

Coach Cleary indicated after the 18-12 win over Brisbane he was prepared to play the long game with his son and not rush his return.

Should Cleary miss out, Penrith could be forced to search for a new captain, with co-captain Isaah Yeo next to no chance of overcoming a heavy concussion he suffered on the weekend. James Fisher-Harris, another captaincy candidate in the eyes of coach Cleary, is already back in Sydney for the birth of his second child.

Fullback Dylan Edwards shared the responsibility with Fisher-Harris during Saturday’s win over the Broncos.

Edwards was quick to put the red pen through Cleary playing against Melbourne, saying on Monday: “He’s running well ... he’s ticking the boxes, so hopefully [only] a couple of weeks [before he’s back].

“He’s not a chance this week, we’ll be without him. He’s progressing through his rehab stages. It adds an extra challenge when he’s out; he’s our leader and tells us where to get to in attack, he’s such a great defender and a great voice on the field.”

Penrith and Melbourne were involved in one of the best games of the season in round three, which ended with Viliame Kikau somehow denying Justin Olam a try to win the game after the siren. It was the last time the Storm lost, with the competition front-runners now chasing a 16th straight triumph.

The night the Panthers denied Melbourne at a heaving BlueBet Stadium, Cleary (concussion) and Api Koroisau (wrist) were both sidelined.

Christian Nicolussi covers rugby league for The Sydney Morning Herald.

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