‘It’s like he’s playing in slow motion’: High praise for Nathan Cleary as Panthers champion prepares for long-awaited return

Martin GaborNewsWire
Camera IconNot Supplied Credit: The Daily Telegraph

The Panthers have been able to navigate the past two months without champion halfback Nathan Cleary, but the wait is finally over for the defending premiers who are expected to get their main man back for Sunday’s clash against the Dolphins.

Cleary has been dealing with a serious hamstring injury – the second one he’s had this season – with the rep star limited to just five appearances in 2024, the most recent way back in round 10 against Canterbury.

But he’s on the verge of a return this week from an injury that has kept him out of the entire State of Origin series, and his teammates can’t wait to have him back given there’s every chance some of their Blues stars will be rested.

“I’m definitely hoping (he plays this week), but it’s one of those things that we wouldn’t want to rush,” Panthers hooker Mitch Kenny said.

“No matter what the circumstances are, he’s always working hard.

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“He’d be stinging to get out there because he’s a footballer and he hasn’t been able to play for a lot of the season.

“He’s been great around the group. I’m sure internally it’s been quite frustrating for him, but it looks like he’s tracking pretty well and hopefully he’s back out this week doing what he does best.”

While Cleary hasn’t been able to have his usual impact on the field, the Penrith hero has played a key role at training and during video sessions where his attention to detail has rubbed off on his younger teammates.

Jack Cole had only played one NRL game before this season, but he said the way he looked at footy had changed entirely in 2024 having spent more time with the injured halfback.

“He sees the game in a different way to anyone else. It’s like he’s playing in slow motion, especially at training where everyone’s playing fast but he seems to be at a different pace,” the young half said.

“Even listening to the language he uses when he speaks about footy is so different. You can be in the same room as him and you just have to listen to him – you don’t need to ask questions – and you learn so much.

“He’s next level and I hope to be learning from him for a long time.

“Still being young, I’ve been trying to pick up that language and put it into my game.

“You’re always picking up on little things that you wouldn’t normally look for (when you listen to Cleary).

“When you start, you probably don’t think the game is that sophisticated, but that’s why he’s so good because he looks at all the little things that add up to the big things.”

Originally published as ‘It’s like he’s playing in slow motion’: High praise for Nathan Cleary as Panthers champion prepares for long-awaited return

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