When they are not available for selection, football players have a few options for watching games.
It’s often from the comfort of their own home, with their feet up on the couch, as they focus on healing.
Nathan Cleary, the Panthers’ halfback, was injured during training two days before the team’s preliminary finals match against the Storm.
According to The Daily Telegraph, the 25-year-old was sent to hospital on Monday with a finger injury but has now been cleared of any major damage.
Cleary has since been named in the No.7 jumper for Penrith’s grand final qualifier on Tuesday afternoon, while the reigning premiers are also poised to welcome back five-eighth Jarome Luai.
Melbourne will enter Friday night’s game with their own set of problems, with Jahrome Hughes missing due to injury and Xavier Coates ruled out due to suspension.
Cleary is expected to play at this point despite suffering a finger injury in practise on Monday.
The halfback led the team to a 32-6 victory over the Warriors in the opening week of the finals, earning the champions a weekend off before the prelim against Melbourne.
