Nathan Cleary’s Determination Shines Through Pain in Origin Match
Melbourne has witnessed a remarkable display of resilience from Blues halfback Nathan Cleary, who is set to receive a painkilling injection for a hip pointer injury ahead of the second Origin match. The injury, which left him struggling to sit and lie down for three days after the first game, was sustained due to a collision with NSW prop Addin Fonua-Blake just 15 minutes into the match.
What made Cleary’s performance in the Blues’ first win even more impressive was his ability to push through the pain without showing any signs of discomfort during the game. He did not inform NSW medical staff about the injury at the time, nor did he express any emotion. It wasn’t until the break that he requested a needle and a protective pad, marking the first time the Blues’ medical team became aware of his condition.
A Critical Moment in the Game
The injury occurred when Fonua-Blake tackled Cleary alongside Harry Grant, resulting in a direct hit to Cleary’s left hip. Despite the impact, Queensland managed to keep the ball alive and score through Tom Flegler. Cleary continued to play, showcasing his determination and skill by delivering a crucial 40/20 in the second half. His pinpoint kick for James Tedesco sealed the 22-20 comeback win over Queensland.
After the game, Cleary had an ice pack strapped around his hip as he enjoyed a few cold cans of beer with his father, Penrith coach Ivan Cleary. At no point did he mention the injury, highlighting his commitment to the team.
Medical Confirmation of the Injury
The extent of Cleary’s injury was revealed after an MRI scan the following day. According to Blues’ doctor Nathan Gibbs, Cleary suffered a direct blow to the iliac crest on the pelvic bone, along with a tear to his abdominal core. The scans confirmed the severity of the damage.
Cleary worked closely with the Penrith physios, but in the days following the win over Queensland, he struggled with daily activities. He was not named for the Sunday clash against the New Zealand Warriors and would not have played if available.
Physio’s Perspective on the Injury
Penrith’s chief physio Pete Green described Cleary’s bruise as “the size of a soccer ball, and every colour under the sun.” The injury was so severe that there were doubts about whether Cleary could play against the Wests Tigers the following week. He did not complete contact work until Friday before the game, received another painkiller, and then delivered a masterclass in the Panthers’ 68-0 drubbing.
Stretching, band work, and rest were the main components of Cleary’s recovery plan. He confirmed he was likely to be needled again before the match at the MCG, and for a brief moment, he questioned whether Fonua-Blake’s head was made of granite. “I thought it was given the way I felt afterwards,” Cleary said. “I didn’t even know it was Addin’s head at the time. All I remember was it was pretty sore.”
Overcoming Adversity
Cleary emphasized that he wasn’t coming off the field and that the injury was never on his mind. “You never want to give away any cues to the opposition. It was good we had the week off – that definitely helped. I’m just lucky to have the physios and medical staff we have at NSW and Penrith – they put so much work into me.”
Cleary also mentioned that he had previously suffered a knock to his right hip earlier this season, but it paled in comparison to the agony caused by the Origin incident. He later informed Fonua-Blake about the incident when they returned to camp, and the Cronulla prop was impressed by Cleary’s stoicism.
Fonua-Blake’s Praise for Cleary
“You’ll read about the way he led the team around, but you won’t read about how tough he is – you would never have known he received an injection [at half-time],” Fonua-Blake said. “He gets up for training and games and goes about his business. That’s what I admire about him.”
Fonua-Blake added that some days he doesn’t feel 100 per cent, but there are no excuses. “The person sitting in the fourth or fifth row doesn’t care how sore you feel because they’ve already bought a ticket, and want to see you playing at your best. That’s what Nathan does every day.”
Gibbs, who has worked with some of the greatest players in the game for over 40 years, praised Cleary for his ability to cope with pain. “What fans don’t see is how well he copes playing injured,” Gibbs said. “One of the qualities the great players have is playing well injured. He certainly does that.”
