Nathan Cleary’s teammate Isaah Yeo has backed his teammate to return next year and ‘silence’ his critics at Origin level after the halfback was ruled out with a hamstring injury. Cleary left the NRL in shock when his troublesome hamstring injury forced him out of the match against the Bulldogs last week and subsequently ruling him out of Origin.
Cleary may be the premier halfback when it comes to club footy having steered the Panthers to three straight premierships, but he is yet to dominate the Origin arena. Cleary has a 7-7 record against the Maroons and has been the centre of criticism after the last two losses for the Blues. And many were hoping his NRL grand final masterclass was the catalyst for an Origin revival. While it still may come, it will have to wait for 2025.
Yeo is a near certainty to start at lock for the Blues this year, with Cameron Murray injured, and could even captain the side if James Tedesco isn’t selected. And Yeo has admitted he feels for Cleary knowing the halfback wanted to ‘silence’ his critics with an all-time performance for his state to lead them back to glory.
