Panther’s star could return early from a hamstring injury

Nathan Cleary, the star player for the Panthers, faced concerns about being out of action for a month due to a hamstring injury sustained during the recent victory over Brisbane. However, there’s now optimism that he could return as early as next week.

Last year, Cleary suffered a more severe hamstring injury on his opposite leg, which caused him to miss the final two State of Origin matches. Fortunately, the current injury is not as serious. His coach sees it as a potential “silver lining,” as it might offer Cleary a chance to recover from a lingering foot issue that has been bothering him.

The Panthers are scheduled to play against the Roosters soon, and while Cleary might not be ready for that match, there’s hope he could be back for the following game against Manly or after the round 6 bye. Ivan Cleary, the Panthers’ coach, acknowledges that injuries are a part of the game and sees this setback as an opportunity for others to step up. He remains positive about Nathan’s recovery, drawing from his experience with a similar injury last year.

Despite Cleary’s injury, the team remains resilient. Former Raiders player Brad Schneider will step in as the halfback, and James Fisher-Harris will continue to be unavailable for the upcoming game against the Roosters. Additionally, Scott Sorensen’s absence due to a knee injury creates an opportunity for Mavrik Geyer to make his debut for the team. Geyer, the son of the renowned player Mark Geyer, has patiently honed his skills in reserve grade and is now poised to showcase his talent at the professional level.

Coach Cleary expresses excitement for Geyer’s debut, highlighting his hard work and dedication over the past few years. He believes Geyer is prepared for this opportunity and looks forward to seeing him perform. Geyer’s style of play may differ from his father’s, but he has demonstrated the potential to make an impact on the field. Despite lacking his father’s renowned aggression, Geyer has shown significant improvement, especially during the recent pre-season.

Overall, while Cleary’s injury presents a challenge for the Panthers, the team remains optimistic. They view it as a chance for other players to shine and are excited about the debut of Mavrik Geyer, who has patiently awaited his opportunity to make an impact at the professional level.