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Penrith's near-perfect injury record boosts Cleary bid
Scott Bailey, AAP •  September 17th, 2026 3:51 pm
Nathan Cleary remains in doubt for Penrith's preliminary final against the Knights or Warriors | Photo: Mark Evans/AAP
Penrith will lean on a remarkable record of getting players up for finals in their attempt to have Nathan Cleary fit for a premiership charge.
Cleary's injured right foot looms as the defining piece of this year's title race puzzle, after scans revealed a stress-related bone injury earlier this week.
The Panthers have suggested he will be on light duties and do minimal kicking before next Sunday's preliminary final, while indicating the superstar No. 7 will play.
Also working in their favour is the schedule, with a full two weeks between games now confirmed before the side take on the winner of the Warriors and Newcastle.
Through Penrith's six-year dynasty, they boast a 94 per cent player availability record when it comes to finals.
Nathan Cleary is hunting a fifth premiership ring, but is no certainty of playing again in 2026 | Photo: Mark Evans/AAP
Dating back to the Panthers' minor premiership in 2020, Penrith have played 20 finals during Ivan Cleary's second stint in charge.
Across that period, a combined total of just 21 finals matches have been missed through injury across all players, essentially equating to having only one out each match.
Penrith have not had more than three players out through injury in any finals clash.
Also remarkable is the way the Panthers have kept their biggest names on the field.
Cleary and co-captain Isaah Yeo have played all 20 of Penrith's finals to this point, as has fellow mainstay Liam Martin.
There has also been minimal disruption to their spine with the Panthers having carried their first-choice fullback, five-eighth, halfback and hooker in every preliminary final and grand final.
Liam Martin has played in all 20 of Penrith's finals during Ivan Cleary's second Panthers stint | Photo: Mark Evans/AAP
That is not to say Penrith have not had to manage injuries through that time.
They were the walking wounded through much of the team's first title in 2021, with Edwards also managing a fracture in his foot.
Cleary also required shoulder surgeries after both the 2021 and 2024 campaigns, while Jarome Luai narrowly hung on in 2023 before his shoulder gave way in the decider.
This year Yeo has played through a ruptured pec, after putting off surgery to return a week out from the finals.
Yeo admitted this week he thought his season was over when he sustained the injury in Auckland last month, before returning in the final round.
Penrith co-skipper Isaah Yeo has been playing with an injured pec | Photo: Mark Evans/AAP
"It was more credit to the surgeon, he gave us the glimmer of hope that we could see how it goes and how it pulls up," Yeo said.
"The physios have been outstanding for me, they were really excited for the challenge as well. They have given me a lot of confidence as well."
Yeo insists he now has proper confidence in the ruptured muscle, with the final-round clash against Wests Tigers used as a trial where he could go off if needed.
"Ideally I would rather not have it, but that's the reality at the moment," Yeo said.
"It's just been a bit of see how it travels. So far it has given me absolute confidence. Better (on Sunday) than it was the last week."
