6 hours ago
8
New South Wales star Nathan Cleary has worryingly revealed that he hasn't kicked a goal since he tweaked his groin in the run-up to State of Origin II.
The Penrith halfback handed over kicking duties for the match to Zac Lomax, who struggled off the tee, booting two of his five attempts at goal. Laurie Daly's side would ultimately succumb to a 26-24 defeat by Queensland.
Cleary, meanwhile, raised alarm bells as he ran out to play with a support grip on his right thigh during the match.
While he missed the Panther's Round 16 clash against the Warriors, Cleary returned to run the show against his side's 8-6 win against Canterbury, but was still seen wearing the support grip.
When asked whether he would return to kick for the Blues next week in Sydney, Cleary admitted he was weary of aggravating the injury again, but did also leave the door open for a potential return.
Footy star Nathan Cleary has delivered a worrying outlook on a groin injury he sustained in the build-up to State of Origin II
Cleary (centre) deferred kicking duties to Zac Lomax after the halfback ran out with a support strap affixed to his right thigh
'It's a call we are probably going to make pretty early in the week,' Cleary said on Tuesday.
'Since it happened I haven't had a goal kick yet.
'You don't want to try it and then get another setback.
'We will see.'
Cleary was instrumental in Penrith's victory against Canterbury last Thursday, scoring the Panthers' only try of the match.
However, he had handed over kicking duties to fullback Dylan Edwards for the game, who slotted the conversion off the back of Cleary's try and a penalty too.
Lomax, meanwhile, returned to feature in both of the Eels Round 16 and 17 matches against the Titans and the Dragons.
The centre, 25, was gutted after State of Origin II and refused to speak to the media after missing three shots at goal.
Lomax (left) struggled off the tee during his side's State of Origin II defeat, converting two out of his shot
But the Parramatta star is looking to turn things around for State of Origin III, with Lomax booting eight goals across his last two NRL appearances.
'I pride myself on being the best kicker I can be,' he told 9News.
'Sometimes you live or die by the sword when you goal kick, and you wear that heavy.
'I was disappointed. I'm a goal kicker and I love goal kicking, so nothing will change.'
