Origin fears for Nathan Cleary as Panthers deny Dogs

The coach said the injury hadn’t been an issue for a fortnight, which is why the halfback played against the Cowboys two weeks ago.

“It hasn’t been a problem. He came back [from injury], he played against the Cowboys, he didn’t play last week because it was a five-day turnaround, he was a bit sore,” Ivan said. “So that was always part of the threat, I guess, of travelling ... he’s basically done every session for two weeks without any drama.”

It’s a nightmare scenario for Blues coach Michael Maguire, with Cameron Murray, Mitchell Moses, Clint Gutherson and Ryan Papenhuyzen also on the injured list less than a month before the State of Origin opener on June 15.

Cleary left the field two minutes before half-time after kicking a grubber to force a goal-line dropout. He was then seen consulting one of the Panthers’ trainers before heading up the tunnel. It’s the same hamstring that kept him sidelined for a month earlier in the season.

When the Panthers came out for the second half, Jack Cole combined with Jarome Luai in the halves and Dylan Edwards took over conversion duties.

Panthers coach Cleary will head into Magic Round in Brisbane next week without his first two picks at halfback, after back-up half Brad Schneider injured his knee in their NSW Cup game on Friday.

The Bulldogs were impressive in defeat, with Cameron Ciraldo’s team holding Penrith scoreless for the opening 25 minutes.

Brian To’o scored just before half-time to give the home side a 12-point lead, before Matt Burton finally broke through for Canterbury with a try in the 68th minute.

Jacob Kiraz went over for the Bulldogs’ second try with just five seconds left, but two penalty goals for the Panthers in the second half had provided enough breathing room to hold off the visitors.

“We came here confident, but I think we’re leaving probably even more confident,” Ciraldo said.

The Panthers play the Warriors in Brisbane next Sunday.