Luai ready to lead Panthers after Cleary blow

Penrith five-eighth Jarome Luai is determined to ensure Nathan Cleary's shoulder injury doesn't derail his team's quest for a fourth-straight NRL premiership. 

The halfback left the field in the 67th minute of Thursday's loss to the Storm with scans revealing he suffered a recurrence of shoulder instability he has carried since the pre-season. 

Cleary has avoided surgery for now, with the club confident he will return in time for the finals. 

Luai has carried plenty of responsibility this season with Cleary missing 11 games across two stints with a hamstring injury and he's ready to take control of his side's finals quest.

"Everyone knows how big a part of this team he is," Luai said. "For me, I've been in his shoes, it's all about positivity and manifesting that. 

"He'll definitely be back this year. For me now, it's zoning in on what I can do for these boys and making sure I'm doing that well."

"In bad times I'm always trying to find a positive. It helps me in tough situations and hopefully I can help the boys out there as well. It's a tough time but he's dealing with the brunt of it all. 

"We still get to lace up our boots and chuck the jersey on, which he can't do. I've got to go out there and do a good job for Nate."

Cleary's prognosis is a positive result for Luai as he looks to finish his time at the Panthers on a high alongside his close mate. 

The five-eighth will depart the club at the end of the season to join the Wests Tigers and is confident Thursday's match was not their last together. 

"I'll play again with him," he said. "I'm sure of that. He'll come back and be ready to play. 

"If he's out for a few weeks then it's time to step up again and make sure we're playing some good footy leading into the finals."

While the Panthers have won the past three premierships, the path to each title hasn't been smooth sailing. Shoulder injuries, in particular, have proven to be a recurring theme. 

Cleary missed five games in 2021 after dislocating his shoulder in State of Origin II, eventually returning in Round 22 before undergoing surgery in the off-season. 

The injury on that occasion was to his right shoulder, while his latest issue is with the left. 

Luai also dislocated his shoulder in Round 26 last year, missing two games before making an unexpected return in the preliminary final. The playmaker was clearly hampered but managed to back up the following week in the grand final.

It was a difficult situation for the five-eighth, but he's confident Cleary can follow a similar path this year.

"It's weird how the world works," Luai said. "Timing-wise, last year I was in his shoes. 

"I've given him a positive mindset, it's a similar injury so he knows he can make it back. I'll hold it down, I'll do a good job until he comes back and we'll get the ball rolling again."

Luai's confidence comes after he led NSW to a stunning State of Origin series victory earlier this year, producing the decisive play that helped the Blues snap a 19-year drought in deciders at Suncorp Stadium. 

Cleary's hamstring injuries also saw him take on a greater playmaking role and he is spending more time directing the team around the park and has a greater role in their kicking game.

Penrith and NSW teammate Isaah Yeo has watched closely as Luai has developed his game this season and backed the playmaker to take charge over the next few weeks. 

"He's extremely confident, he took that into the Origin arena and proved a lot of people wrong in that arena," Yeo said. 

"There's been long periods where he's had to [be the primary playmaker] and off the back of that it helps your confidence knowing you've done it well. I've got all the faith in him and it will be up to other individuals around him to help and grow their game too."

The Panthers have a number of options to replace Cleary, with Jack Cole and Brad Schneider each wearing the No.7 jumper throughout his earlier absence. 

Cole is an emerging playmaker with plenty of potential while Schneider is a veteran with plenty of experience. 

The outcome of Thursday's match was almost overshadowed by Cleary's injury, Melbourne kicking a late penalty goal to claim a 24-22 victory.

The win takes them one step closer to the minor premiership and home ground advantage throughout the finals.

Should all go to plan, the two teams will face off in the grand final at Accor Stadium on October 6, and Luai said the Panthers know exactly what to do to turn the tables. 

"We'll be good," Luai said. "We didn't get the start right [on Thursday night]. A few last plays we just stopped moving and missed the moment but there are a lot of lessons out of the game.

"The timing's perfect for us to learn those heading into the finals."