Penrith might handle Nathan Cleary’s kicking load when he returns from a hamstring injury against the Dolphins.
Cleary was one of several well-known NRL halves to return from injury in Tuesday’s selection lists, including Canberra’s Jamal Fogarty, who will face the Warriors.
Adam Reynolds is also regarded an outside possibility to play for Brisbane against Newcastle in his first NRL game since rupturing his bicep in May.
However, Cleary’s comeback has the ability to propel the Panthers’ quest for a fourth consecutive premiership.
Cleary usually conducts the majority of the kicking for Penrith in general play, but in his absence, Jarome Luai has stepped up in recent weeks.
Coach Ivan Cleary also stated that Penrith’s team is looking into how to manage his son’s workload.
“We’ve investigated every possible avenue. “We’ve made a few changes, but we haven’t thrown anything out,” stated coach Ivan Cleary.
“Certainly around some kicking loads. Aside from that, he’s been doing some things behind the scenes to reinforce it.
“He understood from the start that he wanted to make sure he checked off every box on his way back.
“Now he’s done that, he’s pretty hungry.”
On Tuesday, the Panthers chose to rest NSW State of Origin duo Isaah Yeo and Dylan Edwards for the match against the Dolphins, while Jarome Luai, Liam Martin, and Brian To’o are all on an extended bench.
Ivan made it plain that Nathan was under no pressure to come in and elevate the Panthers after only playing five games this season.
“I have to try and keep him understanding he will have to work his way back in,” Ivan told me.
“We can’t simply expect him to come back and do everything. He has previously recovered strongly from injuries, so I’m hopeful it continues.
“He’s looking great. It has been a while. We have perhaps been a touch conservative.”
Meanwhile, Fogarty’s comeback from a bicep rupture could not come soon enough for Canberra, who have lost their previous four games to fall to 11th on the ladder.
Hudson Young will also return from a groin injury for the Raiders against the Warriors, who announced this week that Tohu Harris (wrist) will miss the remainder of the season.
The Warriors have also lost fullbacks Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (calf) and Marcelo Montoya (groin) for the encounter, with Taine Tuaupiki starting and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck on the wing.
Reynolds’ return to Brisbane’s team roster comes in the No.24 shirt, and the halfback completed his first full training session on Tuesday.
The Broncos will decide whether he, Pat Carrigan, Payne Haas, Reece Walsh, and Selwyn Cobbo play against Newcastle later this week.
Canterbury’s Jacob Preston is returned from a foot injury for their journey to North Queensland, where they will face a Cowboys team that will also rest five Origin players.
Apisai Koroisau, a hooker for the Wests Tigers, is expected to miss their match against South Sydney due to a calf injury, with Tallyn da Silva taking his place at No.9.
And Nick Meaney returns from a calf injury to play fullback for Melbourne against a Sydney Roosters team that has promoted Terrell May to starting prop with Jared Waerea-Hargreaves suspended.
