Ivan Cleary has pulled a dramatic late switch with superstar halfback Nathan Cleary named to come off the bench for Penrith’s preliminary final showdown with Newcastle.
The world’s best player has been dealing with a foot injury he suffered in the qualifying final win over the Roosters, but he was named to start when the teams were announced on Tuesday.
But he now looms as a potential break glass in case of emergency option with Jack Cogger to partner Jack Cole in the halves for the grand final qualifier.
It’s unclear whether the representative No.7 will play any minutes, with regular starters Lindsay Smith and Isaiah Papali’i also dropping to the bench.
The Knights will run out as named.
More to come
Originally published as Nathan Cleary to come off the bench as Panthers make major changes for their preliminary final