The Panthers clinched a hard-fought 16-10 victory against the Bulldogs on Friday, but now face the challenge of another extended period without their star player, Nathan Cleary, who reaggravated his hamstring injury during the game.
Cleary’s unfortunate setback occurred just before halftime at BlueBet Stadium when he was observed walking straight up the tunnel after a play involving a kick. From the coach’s box, he witnessed his team secure their fourth consecutive win.
This recurrence of injury follows Cleary’s recent return to the field after a five-week absence due to the same hamstring issue. As a result, he may also miss out on participating in the State of Origin series opener on June 5, adding to the team’s concerns.
Despite a shaky start from the defending premiers, which saw the Bulldogs given several early scoring opportunities, Cleary’s crucial defensive efforts prevented the visitors from capitalizing.
After a tense 25-minute battle, the Panthers managed to break the deadlock, with Luke Garner powering through five defenders to score the opening try.
Just before halftime, the Panthers extended their lead when Dylan Edwards kept a loose ball in play and delivered it to Brian To’o, who maneuvered his way past defenders to score, bringing the halftime score to 12-0 in favor of the Panthers.
However, the jubilation among home fans was short-lived as Cleary’s injury forced him off the field, casting a shadow over the team’s victory.
