Penrith Panthers coach Ivan Cleary has eased fears by confirming Liam Martin and Casey McLean are on track to be fit for next weekend’s preliminary final against the Brisbane Broncos.
This reassurance comes despite both of the club’s star players exiting the field during Sunday’s 46-26 semi-final victory over the Canterbury Bulldogs at Accor Stadium.
Representative forward Liam Martin sparked alarm in the 73rd minute when he was taken down in a crushing tackle by former teammate Viliame Kikau, forcing him from the field in the second half.
The 28-year-old clutched his right shoulder—a recurring problem this season—before being seen hunched over in the tunnel and escorted off for assessment.
Although there was initial concern that his ribs were also affected, Ivan Cleary clarified the situation, insisting the incident was not a recurrence of his shoulder issue but simply a case of being winded.
"[Liam] Marto is okay. He just got crunched by Kikau and is more winded than anything," Cleary stated during his post-match press conference.
Adding to the Panthers’ brief injury concerns was centre Casey McLean, who was forced from the field in the 64th minute.
While initially feared to be a hip problem, Cleary confirmed that the outside back is expected to be fit for next week’s clash.
"Casey has a bit of a hip pointer. He thinks it's fine, but hopefully he will be alright," the Penrith coach said.
With the Bulldogs brushed aside in commanding fashion, Penrith now turn their focus to a blockbuster preliminary final against the Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium next Sunday—a rematch of the 2023 grand final.
The four-time reigning premiers have seven days to recover and prepare for what promises to be the showdown of the weekend.