Nathan Cleary battled through the pain barrier to help deliver Penrith their fourth successive premiership in 2024 as the Panthers dynasty showed no signs of crumbling any time soon.
The halfback managed to make just 13 appearances for his club during an injury-plagued campaign, yet when he did make it onto the field he made it count with a number of game-winning displays that will live long in the memory.
Cleary overcame a troublesome hamstring issue earlier in the season, only to then suffer a shoulder injury which eventually resulted in him missing the Pacific Championships as he was booked in for surgery.
Cleary picked up his shoulder injury in the closing stages of Penrith’s Round 24 clash against Melbourne.
The No.7 was involved in an awkward tackle with Josh King while hitting the ball up through the middle of the field and immediately clutched at the sore area when he battled back to his feet.