"You wouldn't play": Alexander calms fears over Cleary injury

Sam Kosack • June 19th, 2025 11:10 am

NSW and Penrith legend Greg Alexander has played down concerns over Nathan Cleary’s mystery injury, after the Panthers’ superstar appeared hobbled during last night’s State of Origin Game II.

Cleary ran out onto Optus Stadium sporting a guard on his quad and didn’t take much of the early kicking duties, before Zac Lomax took over the goal kicking responsibilities.

It was revealed Cleary also didn’t take part in the captain’s run the day before the Game II, with questions raised over why the halfback played if he wasn’t fit.

However, Alexander played down the seriousness of Cleary’s injury, assuming that if he played, the injury wouldn’t be severe.

“Nathan did warm into the game and kicked, he kicked (the ball) 14 times, but he didn’t kick goals,” Alexander said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.

“Let's take (goal kicking) away from him because that could aggravate whatever he was feeling with that quad.

“I can't believe that Nathan went out into the field if he wasn't almost 100% fit, like he'd have to be 99 (per cent).

“You wouldn’t play.

“You wouldn’t go out there if you were struggling.

“He did run the ball and he kicked the ball right throughout the game. They just took the goal kicking off him because… we've got four goal kickers in New South Wales.”

The Blues would ultimately lose the match 26-24 despite scoring one more try than Queensland, with Zac Lomax only converting two goals from five.

After the game, NSW coach Laurie Daley conceded Cleary was hampered leading into the game but played down the severity of his star halfback’s injury.

“He just felt a bit tight in his groin so we wanted to sort of limit the amount of force he put through there,” Daley said.

“He’s a tough kid, Nathan. We know what a quality player he is but he’s tough.

“His groin was tight, but he got through okay.”