Penrith sweating on Cleary fitness after star halfback leaves field in Panthers' 24-22 loss to Melbourne (2024)

We will call time there on the ABC Sport live blog.

Tonight's NRL had drama and a brilliant game of footy.

All focus is on Nathan Cleary's shoulder which will be scanned tomorrow.

ABC Sport will be back for Friday night action with the live blog.

I hope you join us then.

Isaah Yeo has told media his team is prepared for whatever is thrown at them this season.

Penrith have played plenty of footy this season without Cleary, who had a hamstring injury which ruled him out for several weeks in the middle of the season.

Ivan Cleary is speaking to media now.

He says the club is unsure about how serious the injury is.

It appears to be a reoccurrence of an issue he had at the start of the year.

Ivan says the club will organise scans tomorrow.

Everyone wants to know about Nathan Cleary and his shoulder.

We wait patiently for any news.

Cam Munster has told ABC Sport thatNelson Asofa-Solomona tried to claim his injury was from a head clash with a Panther, and not from his swinging arm as the television footage showed.

"He goes to me, it was a head clash with me and Daine Laurie, so I think he's thrown him [Daine Laurie] straight under bus … nah, it is what it is, mate."

Melbourne halfback Jahrome Hughes was exceptional in the Storm's win over the Panthers.

He joined ABC Sport after the win.

"It was a tough game, always tough going up against the benchmark … I felt like the boys really got up for this game … They're just so hard to stop when they get a roll on, and that was our gameplan, not to let them get a roll on."

GAME OVER.

Melbourne have comeback from 22-16 down with a man in the sin-bin, to beat the Panthers in Penrith 24-22.

The game's biggest talking point will be the left shoulder of Nathan Cleary.

Cleary went off the field in the 67th minute in pain.

The Panthers have a scrum, 90 metres from the try line.

Penrith have 50 seconds to march down the field and either score a try, or attempt a two-point field goal to send the game to golden point.

PENALTY PENRITH.

Cameron Munster has been penalised for a high tackle.

The Storm player is unlucky, asJack Cole was falling. But it is a penalty.

Dylan Edwards is going to attempt a two-point field goal — but it is coming up short.

Melbourne has a two-point lead, and a penalty 10 metres from Penrith's line.

The Storm have a full set and can end the game here with a try.

James FIsher-Harris has given away a needless penalty.

Jahrome Hughes was hit late after passing the ball on the fifth tackle.

Fisher-Harris was the man to hit him.

It gives Melbourne a penalty kick right in front.

Nick Meaney kicks the goal and gives Melbourne a 24-22 lead with seven minutes to play.

You can hear a pin drop at Panthers stadium.

Nathan Cleary has taken a hit-up, and come up clutching his left shoulder.

He is in a lot of discomfort.

The team doctor is on the field for Penrith.

HE IS COMING OFF.

Let's hope it's not serious, but Clearly looks to be in pain and he is going up the tunnel.

NelsonAsofa-Solomona has returned from the sin-bin.

Meanwhile, Cam Munster and Daine Laurie have both passed their HIAs.

Tyran Wishart take a bow.

Melbourne, with a man down, will level the scores at 22-22.

Wishart has slotted into five-eighth and he side-stepped some poor defence and scored under the posts.

It was Wishart who ensured Melbourne would receive a goalline dropout when he tackled Nathan Cleary who looked set to escape the in-goal.

It goes from bad to worse for the Melbourne Storm.

After losing their prop NelsonAsofa-Solomona to the sin bin, and Cam Munster who was taken out by Nelson's fist, the have let Penrith score.

The Panthers used the extra man advantage and it lead toCasey McLean scoring in the right corner.

Nelson Asofa-Solomona has been sent to the sin bin and the ramifications are huge.

Penrith's Daine Laurie takes a hit up and is tackled by Cam Munster.

Asofa-Solomona has then come in with a swinging arm.

The arm collects Laurie in the back of the head, and Nelson's clinched fist has flattened Munster.

Munster is out and is bleeding.

Laurie and Munster have gone off for HIAs, and Nelson is in the sin bin.

Dylan Edwards has grounded a grubber kick from left centreCasey McLean to score.

It was a terrific set from Penrith, as they marched up the middle of the Storm defence.

A big carry fromIsaah Yeo put Melbourne on the back foot.

Penrith have their first lead of the night.

An injury concern for Melbourne.

InterchangeAlec MacDonald has come off for a Head Injury Assessment.

MacDonald reeled out of a making a tackle and went straight to the ground.

Let's all hope MacDonald is OK.