Nathan Cleary a doubt for Grand Final after suffering shoulder injury

The 2024 Grand Final stage is set. The Melbourne Storm will face off against Penrith Panthers at the Accor Stadium in Sydney on Sunday 6 October. While we know the teams, the date, and the location, some of the players are in doubt. Panthers’ Nathan Cleary could miss the match after aggravating a shoulder injury against the Sharks last week.

Cleary is “hanging by a thread”

Nathan Cleary’s shoulder has been an issue for him all year. The star Panthers halfback came into the season with a lingering issue in his left shoulder after dislocating it during the summer.

The injury has worsened throughout the year and now threatens to keep Cleary out of the Panthers’ fifth Grand Final appearance in five seasons.

Reports claim the halfback’s shoulder is “hanging by a thread” after aggravating the injury against Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in the preliminary finals last week.

Storm are familiar foes for Cleary

The Panthers vs. Sharks match is not the first time Nathan Cleary’s shoulder injury has flared up this season. There were talks of him potentially missing the rest of the 2024 campaign after suffering a harsh tackle from Melbourne forward Josh King in Round 24 against the Storm.

Cleary was asked about his shoulder and that incident this week ahead of the Grand Final on Sunday.

He said: “Unfortunately that thing (King’s tackle) happened against the Storm last time we versed them but (we) worked hard at it again.”

Cleary also clarified that he is good to go and that his shoulder will not be an issue for the Grand Final. Other reports say otherwise, with many outlets saying it will be a matchday decision for Nathan Cleary and Penrith boss Ivan Cleary on Sunday.

‘Go after the king’ says former Storm champion

When Nathan Cleary spoke about his shoulder and Josh King’s tackle on him in Round 24, some outlets said Cleary was accusing the Storm of targeting his shoulder in that match.

No one knows whether that is true or not. However, former Melbourne champion Cooper Cronk says the Storm absolutely should go out to hurt Cleary’s shoulder early.

Speaking on The Matty Johns Podcast, Cronk said: “This is an odd one. In terms of the kick-off to the contest, Nathan is the king of Penrith. If you’re going in to stop what they’re doing, you need to go after the king directly.

“Now this is a weird one. If I’m the Melbourne Storm, I’m actually going to kick it to Nathan, and I want him to take the first carry.

“I would make a statement physically about picking him up, dragging him out, throwing him around. Land the ball on about 30m, a little sand wedge, and he has to get it. And then everyone take the handbrake off.”

Cronk later clarified that “I’m not saying break the law, but (the Storm should) make a statement. Because he’s the spirit of that team.”

According to the betting sites, Penrith are underdogs for this match, so the Storm probably won’t need to be relying on Cronk’s tactics too much. PlayUp gives Melbourne $1.85 chances to win and the Panthers $2.00 odds. The over/under line for the match has been set at 40.5 points.