Penrith is set to be without champion halfback Nathan Cleary for the start of the 2026 NRL season through suspension in a major blow.
Cleary faces a two-match ban after he was sent to the sin bin for a high shot on Heamasi Makasini on Thursday night as the Tigers rookie announced himself with a terrifying solo try in the clubs’ trial match.
There were concerns that Cleary’s suspension would prevent the star half being eligible for a maiden Dally M Medal in 2026.
However, the NRL have confirmed to the AAP that won’t be the case as the incident occurred in the pre-season and not the regular season, even though Cleary could miss regular season games because of it.
Cleary was marched with three minutes left in the first half after he collected the rookie winger in the jaw with his shoulder as Makasini juggled the ball, with the Tigers scoring three late tries to win 26-12.
On Saturday morning, the NRL’s match review committee slapped Cleary with a grade two dangerous contact charge
It means that, if Cleary takes the early guilty plea, he’ll miss Penrith’s first two games against Brisbane and Cronulla.
Should Cleary challenge the ban and lose, he’d face an extra one-game suspension.
The Panthers had a horror start to 2025 and can’t afford to lose their best player given they have a brutal early draw which includes games against the Broncos, Storm and Roosters, with Jack Cogger in line to replace him if he’s suspended.
Cleary had earlier set up the first try of the night with a long ball that was quickly overshadowed by a run that will have Tigers fans dreaming of what’s to come.
ROOKIE WATCH
Brace yourself because the Jonah Lomu comparisons will be coming thick and fast after Makasini trampled through the Penrith defence to evoke memories of the All Blacks legend.
Still only 18, the Makasini hype train has bolted and will only gather steam after he took it to the best team of the century just a week after he scored a hat-trick against the Roosters.
The Tigers haven’t had a winger like this since Taniela Tuiaki bowled over defenders for fun, and his potential is terrifying after a brutal 40-metre run saw him skittle two defenders before he ran over fullback Dylan Edwards on his way to the line.
Makasini moved to left centre in the second half and finished the night with 140 running metres, six tackle busts and three line-breaks to dazzle the healthy Leichhardt Oval crowd to just about seal a starting spot in round two.
There was also a lot to like about Penrith’s Billy Phillips who could earn a bench spot based on his performance on Friday.
