Three-time defending premiers Penrith have received a major boost as they prepare to face the Roosters in Friday’s qualifying final after champion halfback Nathan Cleary was named to return from a shoulder injury among a host of returning stars.
Cleary has missed the past three weeks after he experienced a recurrence of the shoulder instability he had earlier in the year during the loss to the Storm, but he has trained strongly and was put through a rigorous test on Monday afternoon when he was asked to tackle several NSW Cup forwards over and over again.
The Panthers were scrappy last week in the win over the Titans, but their attack will look a lot different with Cleary back pulling the strings and ready to step up if the game is in the balance at the death.
“He brings this aura and he has this type of feeling that if the game goes down to the wire, we’re a big chance of winning because he’s there,” halves partner Jarome Luai said.
“If we’re behind on the scoreboard in any situation, we’re always going to be in the game (because of him).
“It’s a pretty cool superpower to have. That’s what he brings to this team – the belief.”
The premiers are looking to make it 10 wins in a row against a Roosters side that has made several key changes with Daniel Tupou, Dominic Young, Lindsay Collins and Nat Butcher all returning to the starting 13.
Sandon Smith retains his spot at halfback in place of the injured Sam Walker, with skipper James Tedesco backing him to fire against the world’s best playmaker.
“I’m always driving him to be confident because he’s got all the talent in the world,” he said.
“He’s been around the system for a long time, he’s played different positions and he’s got a chance now to show how good of a player he is.
“We’ve all got that confidence in him that he’s a first-grade halfback and he can lead us to a premiership.”
The Bulldogs will be without winger Josh Addo-Carr after he stood himself down following his alleged positive result to a roadside drugs test, with Jeral Skelton recalled on the left wing alongside Bronson Xerri who is back from suspension.
Matt Burton is also back from concussion protocols and will be putting up bombs for Tom Trbojevic who has been named at fullback for the Sea Eagles after missing one game with an AC joint injury.
His inclusion sees Tolu Koula shift to centre while Tommy Talau moves to the wing for the elimination final in front of a crowd of hopefully 60,000 at Accor Stadium.
There’s another fullback set to return this weekend with Ryan Papenhuyzen back on deck after missing last week’s win over Brisbane due to bone bruising, while Oregon Kaufusi is back for the Sharks in place of Tom Hazelton (knee) who has been named in the reserves.
And it’s smooth sailing for the big game in Townsville with the hosts set to get Jordan McLean back from a hamstring injury, while the Knights have named the same 17 that beat the Dolphins to clinch eighth spot.
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