Another day of NRL news is behind us as round 16 is officially upon us.
Following news of his shoulder injury, Nathan Cleary has spoken to the media about his upcoming rehab program.
Trent Barrett has opened up on the COVID dramas facing his club, as well as the season-ending injury to Nick Cotric.
And Anthony Griffin has explained why he won't let Matt Dufty and Corey Norman move on early despite not having a future at the Dragons beyond this year.
Here's a wrap up of the news you might have missed from Thursday's club press conferences.
LUCK A HUGE FACTOR IN NATHAN CLEARY'S SHOULDER INJURY
Sublaxing your shoulder certainly isn't a good thing - but Nathan Cleary believes he was lucky it wasn't a lot worse.
The 23-year-old was among the star for the NSW Blues in Origin II, but played a large majority of the game with the injury.
Speaking to the media on Thursday morning, Cleary revealed that Queensland weren't aware of his dodgy shoulder and was lucky to not suffer further damage.
“I kind of knew when it happened that something wasn’t right. I’ve been lucky enough to not have any shoulder injuries throughout my career so far, so I just got up,' he said.
"I was never really worried about not being able to play with it, so I just kind of got on with it. Half-time came and it settled down a bit, got it strapped and that’s when it started to get more sore.
"Obviously I did it again in the second half, and the last 20 minutes I just wanted to stay out there and enjoy what was going on.
“I spoke to Capes yesterday and he said they didn’t even know. That was probably a lucky thing – I was a bit worried about big David Fifita out there trying to expose me.
"I felt like I could hold my own and I just wanted to be out there and enjoy the moment. You don’t get the opportunity to win games at Suncorp too often – to win the series up there and the way we did it, I wanted to be out there."
Cleary will miss the next 4-6 weeks with the injury, after delaying a potential operation that would have ended his season.
- Liam O'Loughlin
SILVER LINING FOR BULLDOGS FOLLOWING COVID DRAMA
They might be without five regular first graders for their clash with Manly this weekend, but Bulldogs coach Trent Barrett is taking the positives out of the situation.
Dylan Napa, Brandon Wakeham, Aaron Schoupp, Corey Waddell and Sione Katoa have all been forced into isolation after being potentially exposed to COVID-19, with the entire group also fined for their actions.
It has left a huge hole in the Bulldogs squad, which has been filled by debutants Bailey Biondi-Odi, Chris Patolo and Falakiko Manu for round 16.
Barrett said while it is disappointing to be without some key players, he is going into the game with a glass half-full mentality.
“It was a disrupted week obviously, but we are more focused on the opportunity that it gives the three debutants," he said.
"Someone’s misfortune is another’s opportunity, and young Bailey, Patolo and Kiks will do a good job and they are really excited.
“Bailey Biondi is a young halfback and he can play nine as well. He is a good little runner of the ball and he is quick, he’s got a good kicking game and he has got all the attributes to be a really good player.
"He’s still only young and he’s probably getting fast-tracked a little bit, but physically he is ready to play first grade.
"Chris Patolo is a front-rower that can play on an edge as well. He’s a good size, got a really good build and a good athlete and he is a local boy.
"It is good for the area – I think we have got six or seven players in the side this week that are local juniors and are still eligible to play in Flegg. It bodes well for the future for us."
Patolo played his junior football for Bankstown Sports, and joins fellow local juniors including Jake Averillo (Moorebank Rams) and Jackson Topine (St George Dragons) in the side this week.
- Liam O'Loughlin
LUAI MORE THAN CAPABLE OF REPLACING INJURED CLEARY
Penrith Panthers playmaker Nathan Cleary has backed his close mate Jarome Luai to step up to the challenge in the coming weeks, with the former sidelined through injury.
Cleary will miss the next 4-6 weeks after sublaxing his shoulder in State of Origin, with Luai set to move to halfback and Matt Burton to play five-eighth.
Luai has emerged as one of the game's best in recent months, shining in his first two appearances for NSW and Cleary is full of faith in him to take on new responsibilities.
“Absolutely (he can) – I think people have been doubting him all year, doubting whether he would step up in Origin and stuff like that," he said.
"He’s done more than that and it’s another challenge for him, and I’m very confident that he will do the job and do it well.
"He is obviously a great player, but he’s getting better as a leader and I think he is looking forward to the extra responsibility."
Luai has amassed 14 try assists and 15 linebreak assists this season, placing him in the upper echelon of the playmakers across the NRL.
As for who will replace him in the Blues lineup, Cleary sat on the fence and mentioned every possible option.
“I’m not too sure...there’s a few good candidates there," he said.
"Mitch Moses is in good form, Adam Reynolds is a great player. Pearcey has done it before, Jack Wighton is in camp too.
"I think whoever they put there will do a really good job."
- Liam O'Loughlin
NO PLANS TO FAST-TRACK YOUNG DRAGONS AT DUFTY, NORMAN'S EXPENSE
Anthony Griffin says that as long as unwanted pair Matt Dufty and Corey Norman are healthy they'll continue to be picked each week for the Dragons.
Both Dufty and Norman have been informed over recent weeks their services won't be needed next year as the club prepares to welcome in the next crop of talent in its spine.
Griffin has already blooded the likes of Tyrell Sloan and Junior Amone this season, while talented half Jayden Sullivan earned his opportunity under interim coach Dean Young last year.
Some are suggesting Griffin fast-track the club's next generation to get a head start for next year, but the Dragons coach insists Norman and Dufty are important to the club's finals prospects.
"We made some calls over the last few weeks on what we think are the best interests of the long-term future of the club but at the moment we are going flat out trying to win this game and get into the play-offs," Griffin said on Thursday.
"Corey Norman and Matt Dufty have got a lot of experience and have played finals football, and week-in and week-out they have done a really good job for us.
"There is a balance there in that the other guys are getting their opportunities when they are available to them but there is a short-term priority too as a club to put out our strongest team at the moment that we think can win games of football every weekend.
"That is our priority."
The Dragons will welcome back suspended duo Tyrell Fuimaono and Josh McGuire this week adding another dimension to their forward rotation.
Griffin says he is encouraged by how others have stepped up in the pair's absence, with the Dragons' roster building nicely for future seasons.
"It is good that there is pressure [for positions], whether they are old guys or 18-year-olds," he added.
"What I like about our club at the moment, and our group, is that every time someone gets an opportunity they do their job, which helps you build your depth and helps you build your short-term successes but also secures and underpins your long-term growth as a club."
- Ed Chisholm
BARRETT CONFIRMS THE WORST FOR STAR BULLDOGS WINGER
Reports emerged on Thursday morning that Nick Cotric would miss the remainder of the season, and Bulldogs coach Trent Barrett has seemingly confirmed the news.
The former NSW Origin star ruptured a ligament in his toe in a 'freak accident' at training, but is yet to have surgery.
But according to Barrett, he will likely miss the rest of 2021 regardless of whether he goes under the knife or not.
“Just a freak accident. We were doing some ground work and he’s ruptured a ligament in his big toe. (It came) out of nothing, just getting up off the ground so it was a really odd one," he said.
"Really shattered for Nick, he’s an important part of our side and it looks like being possibly season-ending.
"The surgeon is in two minds whether or not he will need surgery straight away or they will give him a couple of weeks to see if they can let it settle and heal naturally. At this stage it looks like he is gone for the year.
“I think (he was) more surprised than anything. He was in a boot straight away and we thought it would only be a minor sort of injury.
"It has turned out to be a lot worse…he’s not real happy."
- Liam O'Loughlin
