Penrith's push for a fourth consecutive NRL premiership has been rocked after star halfback Nathan Cleary injured his left shoulder in the 24-22 loss to fellow heavyweights Melbourne.
Cleary went down clutching his left shoulder following a shot from Storm forward Trent Loiero while the scores were locked at 22-22 in the final 15 minutes of Thursday night's game at Panthers Stadium.
With his arm apparently in a sling, the 26-year-old watched from the sheds as the Storm clinched victory in a seesawing affair that lived up to its billing as one of the match-ups of the season.
Melbourne's Nick Meaney kicked the winning penalty goal with eight minutes to play after Panthers prop James Fisher-Harris was penalised for flooring Jahrome Hughes late.
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With Cleary off the field, Dylan Edwards attempted a two-point field goal to level the scores just before the final siren but his attempt fell short and the Storm held on.
Cleary has suffered injury blows throughout the Panthers' title dynasty, most recently missing two months with a hamstring issue, spending time out with a right shoulder injury in 2021 and through suspension in 2022.
But navigating a finals series without the star halfback would be a new and greater challenge for the Panthers, who would likely need to parachute Daine Laurie or Jack Cole into the halves to partner Jarome Luai.
Thursday's win moves the Storm two wins clear atop the NRL ladder and almost guarantees them the minor premiership with three rounds to play.
But they could lose prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona in the run to finals after he was sin-binned for making high contact on Laurie in a shot that also knocked teammate Cameron Munster to the ground with a bloodied face.
You can relive all the action as it happened in our live blog below, keep up to date with all the latest stats in our ScoreCentre, and tune in to our live radio coverage.
Key events
- Cleary will go for scans tomorrow
- FULL-TIME: Melbourne Storm 24 def Penrith Panthers 22
- 73' PENALTY GOAL: Melbourne take a two-point lead
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Live updates
Pinned
NRL Thursday live scores
By Michael Doyle
That is all for the live blog today
By Michael Doyle
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.
Yeo says Penrith will come together
By Michael Doyle
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.
Key Event
Cleary will go for scans tomorrow
By Michael Doyle
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.
Melbourne and Penrith put on a Thursday night classic
By Michael Doyle
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We will bring you the press conferences as they happen
By Michael Doyle
Everyone wants to know about Nathan Cleary and his shoulder.
We wait patiently for any news.
Cam Munster joins ABC Sport
By Michael Doyle
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."
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Jahrome Hughes speaks with ABC Sport
By Michael Doyle
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."
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Key Event
FULL-TIME: Melbourne Storm 24 def Penrith Panthers 22
By Michael Doyle
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.
80' Melbourne drops the ball. Penrith have one more chance
By Michael Doyle
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.
78' Melbourne close to victory
By Michael Doyle
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.
Key Event
73' PENALTY GOAL: Melbourne take a two-point lead
By Michael Doyle
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.
Key Event
67' Nathan Cleary comes off with an injured shoulder
By Michael Doyle
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.
Key Event
66' Asofa-Solomona returns from sin-bin, Munster and Laurie pass HIA
By Michael Doyle
NelsonAsofa-Solomona has returned from the sin-bin.
Meanwhile, Cam Munster and Daine Laurie have both passed their HIAs.
61' TRY: Wishart scores for Melbourne with individual brilliance
By Michael Doyle
Tyran Wishart take a bow.
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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.
Key Event
57' TRY: Penrith score against 12-man Storm
By Michael Doyle
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.
Key Event
55' SIN BIN: Munster flattened by the fist of his own player
By Michael Doyle
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.
Key Event
47' TRY: Dylan Edwards scores and Penrith has its first lead of the match
By Michael Doyle
Dylan Edwards has grounded a grubber kick from left centreCasey McLean to score.
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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.
While there is a big match on field, these was a great cause off it
By Michael Doyle
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43' Melbourne's Alec MacDonald off for a HIA
By Michael Doyle
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.
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