"Was a need”: Panthers’ legend defends early Cleary interchange

Penrith Panthers legend and the club’s deputy chairman Greg Alexander has defended the decision to bring Nathan Cleary off the bench as early as they did.

Throughout the build-up to their preliminary final against Newcastle, the superstar halfback’s injury status has been under heavy scrutiny after picking up a stress fracture in his right foot during their 19-12 win in the qualifying final against Sydney. It was later revealed that the right foot was broken.

Despite some doubts, the club named him in their starting 13 when team lists were announced on Tuesday, but he was placed on the bench just before kick-off with Jack Cogger replacing him on the field.

He would take to the field at the 26th minute mark, but after suffering a compound fracture in the 36th minute, Cleary took no further part in proceedings, with the halfback requiring a stretcher and medicab to get off before being rushed to hospital for surgery.

Whilst Phoenix Crossland was sent off for the hip drop tackle on Cleary, the Panthers were unable to make the most of the extra man, Penrith found themselves on the losing end from a Knights side riding a massive wave of optimism.

Following the game, there was some criticism of bringing Cleary on during the 25th minute mark with scores locked at six-all.

But as Alexander explained, Penrith could not take this game lightly and did what they thought was best.

“No, there was a need,” Alexander told SEN’s Kick Off.

“Why would you keep him on ice?”

“If he got through a training session, why would you roll the dice and go, ‘Oh we might win when you've got Nathan on the bench’.

“I agree, keep him out of the opening 20 minutes, you're not gonna lose the game in the opening 20 minutes. You're not gonna win it either.

“And I thought and he was only on the field for 10 minutes, so 26th minute to the 36th minute. I thought he was playing well and didn't look like he was affected by the foot.”

Jimmy Smith would agree noting that without the injury, Penrith likely enters their sixth Grand Final in seven years.

“Let's be honest, if Nathan stays on the field, Penrith win,” Smith said.

“It's a hypothetical (but) I'll go there.

“Nathan stays on the field, Penrith win, but he doesn't and they don't.”

Reacting on SEN League as it happened, Justin Horo expressed his sorrow for Cleary as well as Phoenix Crossland, who laid the tackle without the intention of injury.

"I'm absolutely shattered for Nathan, Phoenix Crossland and the Newcastle Knights," he said.

Smith concurred with Horo's sentiment.

"It is absolutely shattering for the league," he added.

"It is shattering for the game of rugby league."

2027 shapes up to be a big year for the Panthers, with Ivan Cleary coaching his final season at the club while several key players come out of contract.