Panthers superstar Nathan Cleary expects to see Storm counterpart Jahrome Hughes back for the finals after the halfback dislocated his left shoulder while making a tackle on Thursday night.
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There were fears the reigning Dally M Medal winner would miss the rest of the season after the club’s medical staff struggled to put his shoulder back in, but scans revealed he didn’t need surgery and that they were hopeful he’d be back for the finals which begin on September 12.
Cleary has had his own shoulder issues in the past having dislocated his right one in the 2021 State of Origin series, while he also subluxed a shoulder while playing the Storm in round 24 last year.
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The champion playmaker had injured the same shoulder in the pre-season and suffered a recurrence of the instability on the eve of the finals.
Cleary didn’t require surgery and returned a month later to help Penrith win a fourth title in a row before he had a shoulder reconstruction in the off-season.
“I’d expect him to be back,” Cleary said after he starred in Penrith’s win over the Wests Tigers where he kicked goals for the first time since round 14.
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“The way that physios and high performance staff are now, it’s pretty unbelievable.
“The way I got back last year was all credit to them. They put a plan in place and you’ve just got to follow that, work hard and be diligent with the rehab.
“If you tick those boxes then you give yourself every chance. It’s up in the air once you get out there because it’s unstable, but I think if you put the work in then you give yourself every chance.”
While Hughes is expected to feature in the finals, Storm coach Craig Bellamy must now decide whether to pick Tyran Wishart or Jonah Pezet to partner Cameron Munster in the halves as they try to finish in the top two.
Wishart has the experience and a strong running game, while Pezet is a traditional halfback but has played very little NRL after he suffered a serious knee injury last year.
Wishart has played the utility role for the Storm since he joined the club and was fantastic in the halves in 2024 while Munster was out injured.
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“It’s a position I grew up playing and it’s where I feel comfortable,” he told the NewsWire following Melbourne’s gritty win over the Roosters where he played five-eighth with Munster unavailable.
“I probably didn’t play that utility role until I came to the Storm. I grew up playing five-eighth and halfback, and then in the 20s I started playing a bit of hooker as well.
“Fingers crossed he’s OK. He’s as tough as they come. Hopefully he can come back and rehab it.
“I love starting, it’s why you play footy. If that’s what the team needs (me starting) then I’ll put my hand up. Our depth is one of our good traits so we’ll wait and see (who they pick).”
A strong month in the halves will see clubs go hard at Wishart who has a club option to remain at the Storm in 2026, with the Dragons reportedly very keen to sign him.
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“It’s a club you love to be a part of,” he said.
“I’ll make the most of any time I get here because it’s amazing. I haven’t renegotiated anything, but we’ll wait and see.
“I love the club and it’s a great spot to be right now.”
