Cleary and Walker will wage a war in their own heads. But only one might survive

September 24, 2026 — 5:00am

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Nathan Cleary and Sam Walker are going off to war inside their own heads this week.

That’s what playing with an injury, or coming back from an injury, is. And the bigger the injury, and the bigger the game, the more intense that psychological warfare with yourself is.

Now, Nathan and the Panthers have been far more vague about their superstar No.7’s “stress-related bone issue” ahead of Sunday’s clash against Newcastle and how he’s travelling, though it seems he’s going to be right to play.

Sam Walker has had a month to heal after surgery on a syndesmosis injury and is closing in on a remarkable recovery to lead the Roosters in Friday’s grand final qualifier against the Dolphins.

Injuries are a fact of life in rugby league, but when they hit, you’re nothing like yourself. You’re filled with self-doubt and even guilt about letting your teammates down. Your routine and training loads are entirely different and for Nathan, I think that’s amplified because he’s the most thorough player I’ve ever seen with his preparation.

Think you can’t target Nathan’s foot injury? Think again

I have a couple of reservations about how Nathan handles this injury, particularly given it’s to his right kicking foot.

The talk is that he will hand the goal kicking over to Dylan Edwards and that Jack Cole (named at five-eighth) or Jack Cogger (who I think could easily start in the halves) will take on more general-play kicking. Either way, it’s not ideal on the left........

© The Age