Fittler expects no Cleary for Origin III
Nathan Cleary is in serious doubt for State of Origin III with Penrith and NSW officials fearing the worst as they await the result of shoulder scans.
Cleary played on in Sunday night's decisive Blues win over Queensland with an injured right shoulder, but he is expected to miss some football with the blow.
Both the Blues and Panthers are awaiting the results of scans, but any damage is likely to rule him out of the Origin finale on July 14.
Blues coach Brad Fittler said on Tuesday morning he was not expecting Cleary to be able to play when his side attempts to complete a clean sweep.
"We'll get his results today, but it's looking pretty unlikely that he'll play. He went down pretty hard on his shoulder," Fittler told SEN Radio.
"We're just sort of hoping that everything will be good enough that he'll be back fighting for the Panthers soon enough.
"He's had a great start to the season, and he's under a lot of pressure, but he more than stood up on the big stage."
Any injury would represent a significant blow to the Panthers given Cleary's record alongside Jarome Luai, although they do have Matt Burton to fill in at halfback.
Fittler would not enter into speculation on Cleary's Blues replacement if the 23-year-old is ruled.
Adam Reynolds and Mitch Moses loom as the most likely options, while a Mitchell Pearce return is not out of the question.
Fittler could elect to call bench utility Jack Wighton into the starting side at five-eighth and move Jarome Luai to halfback.
Alternatively, Cody Walker would be another option at No.6 if Fittler wanted to move Luai into the No.7 role.
