NRL legend Andrew Johns was left questioning whether Nathan Cleary was at full fitness in his side’s 24-8 win over the Warriors with the home fans left fuming over a questionable pass during the elimination game. Cleary was instrumental in his side’s away win over the Warriors in New Zealand having kicked his side to victory.
The NSW halfback kicked for 694 metres and recorded a try assist as the Panthers held out a gritty Warriors side to set-up a clash with the Bulldogs next week. While the Bulldogs are dealing with a number of their own injuries heading into the blockbuster clash, a moment with Cleary left Johns and fans scratching their heads.
NRL legend Andrew Johns (pictured left) was left questioning whether Nathan Cleary was at full fitness in his side’s 24-8 win over the Warriors after giving up kicking duties. (Images: Getty Images)
Cleary started the day kicking conversions for the Panthers, but opted to give Dylan Edwards the final couple of attempts. Edwards finished by converting Brian To’o’s try to seal the victory. The 27-year-old was also seen slightly limping with one minute to go in the match.
The halfback was wearing strapping on his right leg and his decision to avoid an extra conversion raised eyebrows. Johns questioned if Cleary was at peak fitness heading into the finals. “If you look at Nathan Cleary, he has a groin strap on,” Johns said having suggested he could still be ‘hampered’ by the injury.
Johnathan Thurston was on the sideline for Channel Nine and claimed Panthers officials told him Cleary had corked his leg, which is why he wasn’t goal-kicking. Although Thurston wasn’t 100 per cent convinced with the explanation.
“I just asked someone from the Panthers why Nathan Cleary isn’t goal-kicking, they said it was a cork. But he just took the drop out so they might be talking porkies there. They keep their cards close to their chest, the Penrith Panthers,” Thurston said.
Nathan Cleary (pictured) appeared to be wearing strapping with question marks over whether he is still carrying the groin injury.
Is Nathan Cleary carrying a groin injury?
Cleary struggled with a groin injury during Game 2 and 3 in State of Origin having suffered the injury during training. Cleary also opted not to goal-kick for NSW with Zac Lomax taking the duties. Coach Ivan Cleary offered to give a number of his players a rest in round 26 with players nursing injuries and fitness concerns.
But it appears Cleary could still be carrying the injury into the NRL finals. Panthers fans will be hoping Cleary is kicking next week against the Bulldogs in the elimination clash at Accor Stadium. Canterbury are also sweating on the fitness of Viliame Kikau who injured his eye socket in the defeat to the Storm. Captain Stephen Crichton is set to miss the remainder of the season after injuring his foot in the loss.
Warriors fans fume over ‘forward pass’ drama
While the Panthers were the better team on Saturday, Warriors fans were filthy after Luke Garner appeared to get away with a forward pass for a try. Garner made a break down field after the Warriors allowed the ball to bounce on a fifth tackle kick.
Garner went to pass the ball to Blaize Talagi as he was getting tackled and appeared to pass the ball forward. Although the referees let it go with the Panthers going on to score from the same play. But fans couldn’t believe the play wasn’t called back with the pass appearing to go forward out of Garner’s hands.
Ivan Cleary calls for improved Panthers performance
While the Panthers only conceded the one try to the Warriors in a solid performance, coach Cleary feels the team need to improve upon their performance if they are going to defeat a wounded Bulldogs outfit. “It’s a tough ask to come over here and play a final. The conditions were really difficult as well,” Cleary said.
“We scored some tries that you could probably call opportunist tries but that’s what semi-finals are all about. I feel like there’s a little bit more in us, respectfully, and we’ll need to play better. (But) I’m just happy to come here and compete and get the win.”
AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – SEPTEMBER 13: Nathan Cleary of the Panthers kicks a goal during the NRL Elimination Final match between the New Zealand Warriors and Penrith Panthers at Go Media Stadium on September 13, 2025, in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)