The minor premiership door is wide open for the Broncos - but that will be the least of Ivan Cleary’s concerns with doubt over whether his star five-eighth will play again this season.
The Panthers’ bid to be the first team in the NRL era to win three straight titles has taken a huge blow with Jarome Luai in doubt to play again this season after dislocating his shoulder in a shock 32-18 loss to the Eels.
Penrith medical staff reported it went back into place shortly after in the sheds, but any hope the State of Origin star features during the finals is in grave doubt as Parramatta handed the ascendancy to Brisbane in the minor premiership race. Luai’s injury meant Newcastle-bound Jack Cogger slotted into five-eighth alongside Nathan Cleary, and he’s likely to keep that position for the immediate future as the Panthers sweat on the results of Luai’s scans.
Eels fullback Clint Gutherson scored twice within six minutes either side of half-time in front of a stunned Penrith crowd, who have been accustomed to watching their team ruthlessly dismantle rivals at home. It was just the Panthers’ fourth loss at BlueBet Stadium in 37 matches.Panthers coach Ivan Cleary rested fullback Dylan Edwards and winger Sunia Turuva, handing an NRL debut to Jesse McLean, who played in the centres allowing Stephen Crichton to fill-in at fullback.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
’Hurts to watch’: Horror Panthers blow as Luai suffers ‘lightning bolt’ injury — Casualty Ward’Hurts to watch’: Horror Panthers blow as Luai suffers ‘lightning bolt’ injury — Casualty Ward
Read more »
Panthers suffer major injury blow on eve of NRL finals in big Eels defeatPanthers five-eighth Jarome Luai dislocates his shoulder, making him a doubt just two weeks out from the start of the NRL finals, as the Eels secure victory in Penrith.
Read more »
LIVE NRL: Red-hot Panthers host GF rematch against Eels in front of historic sold out crowdLIVE NRL: Red-hot Panthers host GF rematch against Eels in front of historic sold out crowd
Read more »
‘Just too much noise’: Former Eels stars who could return to Parra amid Arthur’s big admission‘Just too much noise’: Former Eels stars who could return to Parra amid Arthur’s big admission
Read more »
Last year’s grand finalists both lost a No.9 and gun forwards. Why has only one fallen so far?Penrith are clearing space in their trophy cabinet for more September additions, while the Eels have nothing but a clear schedule come the end of this month.
Read more »