Penrith Panthers’ worst pre-season fears have been confirmed with superstar halfback Nathan Cleary facing a significant stint on the sidelines. The star playmaker has been hit with a grade two careless high tackle charge following an incident during Friday night’s pre-season clash against the Wests Tigers. This charge carries substantial consequences, potentially sidelining Cleary for crucial early-season fixtures.
Cleary will miss a minimum of two matches if he accepts an early guilty plea. However, this penalty could be extended to three games should he opt to fight the charge and be unsuccessful. The tackle in question, which earned Cleary a sin-binning late in the first half, was on Wests Tigers rookie Heamasi Makasini.
The implications of this suspension extend far beyond the pre-season loss, which saw the Panthers go down 26-12 to the Tigers. Cleary is now set to miss Penrith’s opening two rounds of the regular season. These fixtures include a high-stakes encounter against the Brisbane Broncos, the very team that ended the Panthers’ dominant premiership streak, and a clash with the Cronulla Sharks. This represents a significant hurdle for the Panthers as they aim to navigate the challenging early stages of the 2025 campaign.
While Cleary showcased his class by setting up the opening try of the night with a perfectly weighted long ball to Brian To’o, his absence will be keenly felt. If he takes the early guilty plea, Cleary will be forced to watch from the sidelines as his teammates battle it out. This comes at a time when the Panthers are looking to avoid a repeat of their slow start in 2025, which saw them languishing at the bottom of the ladder after 12 rounds.
Cogger Ready to Step Up in Cleary’s Absence
With Cleary facing suspension, the responsibility of partnering Blaize Talagi in the halves will fall to Jack Cogger. The 2023 Grand Final hero has declared himself fit and ready to go after missing Friday night’s trial match due to minor concerns.
“It would have been good to have had a run, but I had a few niggles,” Cogger explained. “It was more precautionary to get the right preparation heading into round one.” He further elaborated on the team’s dynamic during the pre-season: “Everyone is swapping positions and getting combinations with everything. And we’ve still got two weeks to go, so I’d be confident if that was the case (that Nathan was suspended).”
Cogger expressed his hope for Cleary’s successful appeal but also acknowledged his readiness to fill the void. “But I’d like to think he’ll get off and he’ll be right. I thought there wasn’t too much in it, but that’s the way the game is going at the minute. If something more were to happen then I’d be ready because that’s my role.”
Luai’s High Praise for Cleary’s Value
Former teammate Jarome Luai, who spoke after the game, underscored the immense value Cleary brings to the Panthers’ line-up. Penrith has until midday on Monday to submit their plea regarding the charge.
“I don’t think you need me to tell you how important he is to any side he plays in,” Luai stated emphatically. “He’s a four-time premiership winner, State of Origin winner. He’s a big part of their team. Fingers crossed for him.”
Makasini’s Breakout Performance Steals the Show
While Cleary’s tackle threatened to dominate headlines, it was the electrifying performance of Wests Tigers rookie Heamasi Makasini that truly captured attention. Makasini produced an early contender for try of the year, igniting excitement among Tigers fans and leaving opposition defenders unnerved.
The 18-year-old displayed a level of maturity and skill beyond his years. In a dazzling display of power and agility, he fended off two Panthers defenders before steamrolling representative star Dylan Edwards, sending the Leichhardt Oval crowd into a frenzy.
The sheer dominance of Makasini’s run drew comparisons to legendary figures such as Jonah Lomu, Eric Grothe Sr, and former Tiger Taniela Tuiaki. However, Luai believes such comparisons are premature.
“I just think he’s Heamasi Makasini, and I think he wants it to be that way as well,” Luai commented. He revealed that Makasini, despite his recent success including a hat-trick against the Roosters the previous week, has remained grounded. He noted that Makasini had posted a few TikToks after his stellar performance but otherwise maintained his focus at training.
Luai emphasised the importance of individuality in the sport: “You can have your idols in the game and you can take the good things out of their games, but at the end of the day, you’re your own person and you’ve got to find your own style of play.”
Reflecting on Makasini’s pre-season, Luai was full of praise: “That was a big play. I’ll rap him on the pre-season he’s had. There’s been a lot of outside pressure, but a young guy with the world at his feet, it’s important for me to make sure he’s staying level-headed and doing the little things right.”
Luai also admitted to experiencing some pre-season jitters when facing the young sensation. “I’ve had a few nightmares during the pre-season when going up against him. He’s got all the physical attributes, and for a young dude, staying right mentally is a big part of this game for him now.” Makasini’s emergence signals a bright future for the Wests Tigers, even as rival clubs brace themselves for his impact.
