Panthers legend makes declaration on Cleary's availability for prelim

Penrith Panthers legend Greg Alexander has given an update on whether Nathan Cleary will be fit to play in the club’s preliminary final.

During the club’s 19-12 win over the Sydney Roosters in the qualifying final, the superstar halfback picked up a ‘stress-related’ bone issue in his right foot.

Whilst he was able to kick a field goal at the 70th minute mark to put them ahead, the No. 7 gave away the kicking duties to Dylan Edwards following Brian To’o’s match-sealing try.     

Whilst having the week off thanks to the Week 1 win was a ‘godsend’ for Penrith’s coach Ivan Cleary to help the team recover, there are still doubts as to whether the four-time premiership player will suit up for their Grand Final qualifier.

But after being asked by SENQ’s Corey Parker about his injury status, the Panthers’ deputy chairman and the club’s first NSWRL premiership captain was brief but assured in his response.

Parker: “I'm not sure what's happening, south of the border, but Nathan Cleary, what's his status?"

“Don't give me the old, ‘Oh, we'll see’."

Alexander: “No, he'll play.”

Parker: “He'll play?”

Alexander: “He will play.”

The Panthers will look to secure their sixth Grand Final appearance in seven years when they host Newcastle at Accor Stadium this Sunday in their preliminary final clash.

SEN League will have live coverage of the match across our radio network and on the SEN app from 12pm AEST with Crunch Time NRL. Kick-off is at 4:05pm.

The winner of this game will face either Sydney or the Dolphins in the Grand Final the following Sunday at the same venue.