Ivan Cleary names key forward in return from injury for Penrith Panthers NRL match vs. Canberra

24-08-2024
3 min read
(Getty Images)

Ivan Cleary and the Panthers have been boosted in their NRL match against Canberra on Saturday with the return of Luke Garner to the side after injury has kept him out since Round 14.

He has been plagued by a hamstring issue suffered after a win over the Sea Eagles, and suffered a setback when he was supposed to turn in Round 19.

However he has finally been cleared to play, being a late addition to the starting side after initially being named on the extended bench in jumper 20.

He has been named in the second row alongside Liam Martin, with Mavrik Geyer dropping to the bench as a result of the change.

Garner has been in solid form for the Panthers this season, scoring three tries in 11 games for the treble premiers as they have been fighting for the minor premiership with the Melbourne Storm.

Eight of those games have been starts, and in one of them he scored an impressive double against South Sydney.

The hamstring injury has curtailed his season to a significant extent, and he will now hope to get minutes in the legs as the finals approaches.

It is a big boost for the Panthers, who are being hit with injuries to key players in recent times.

They have only just welcomed back James Fisher-Harris from an injury layoff, and will once again be without star man Nathan Cleary until the finals after he picked up a shoulder injury against the Storm last round.

Paul Alamoti, who has been a breakout player in his first season at the foot of the mountains, has also been out with injury, allowing Casey McLean a run of games in the centres.

Scott Sorensen is missing due to a hamstring injury of his own, whilst Mitch Kenny will miss the Canberra game due to suspension.

In good news for the Panthers, as it stands many of their walking wounded should be fit and firing for the finals, where Penrith will be looking to win a remarkable fourth straight premiership.