Why Panthers superstar Nathan Cleary cannot rely on painkilling injections for his shoulder before and during the NRL grand final

A leading sports physiotherapist has declared the shoulder of footy superstar Nathan Cleary could easily ‘pop out again’ during the NRL grand final – and painkilling injections are not a secret remedy.

The Panthers halfback, 26, is certain to be targeted by Melbourne Storm forwards when in the defensive line after appearing to aggravate the injury in the preliminary final win against Cronulla.

Cleary has trained all week – but only Panthers insiders know the true extent of his complaint.

Brien Seeney – better known as the NRL Physio on X – told his 52,000 plus followers that Cleary’s status could change in an instant if he cops a blow in the wrong area.

‘On a serious note – Hoops’ pain killing injection suggestion for Nathan Cleary’s shoulder won’t do much,’ he tweeted in response to an opinion from journalist James Hooper on NRL 360 earlier this week.

‘Pain isn’t the issue, it’s stability. Needling it won’t stop it from popping out again.’

Cleary has endured recurring problems with his shoulder all season, first of which saw him miss three weeks of full-contact training in January. 

He then went down injured in round 24 following a contentious tackle from Storm lock Josh King – and returned for the finals.

Brien Seeney – better known as the NRL Physio on X – told his 52,000 plus followers that Cleary’s status could change in an instant if he cops a blow in the wrong area

The Panthers halfback, 26, is certain to be targeted by Melbourne Storm forwards when in the defensive line after appearing to aggravate the injury in the preliminary final win against Cronulla (pictured, with girlfriend Mary Fowler)

The 26-year-old also had surgery on his right shoulder in 2021.

Suzi Edwards, a sport scientist and Associate Professor of health sciences at the University of Sydney, expects the halfback to grit his teeth and play through the pain given what is on the line.

‘When you have injuries, you can then actually learn adaptation strategies to modify your game and how you play on the field to make sure that you don’t place yourself in those high-risk injury positions,’ she told the Sydney Morning Herald.

‘The best plan of attack is actually to plan what you can control.’

Meanwhile, NSW Blues doctor Nathan Gibbs warned an aggravation of his shoulder injury is an outcome Cleary must be prepared for.

‘If he’s hit in the wrong way with enough force, it will cause it to have a subluxation event which hurts,’ he said.

‘I know Nathan, and he is pretty tough. He plays well injured. Some players do, some players don’t – and he certainly does.’