Premiers Penrith have been left sweating on a second key player being fit for the season-opener in Las Vegas after Dylan Edwards was rushed in for post-season surgery.
Less than 48 hours after Edwards helped Australia win the Pacific Championships final over Tonga, the fullback underwent shoulder surgery for an impingement issue that has caused him pain on and off for the past two seasons.
Sources with knowledge of the situation not authorised to speak publicly confirmed to this masthead Edwards had the same Latarjet procedure that Cleary underwent last Monday week, performed by the same surgeon. The operation involved a bone graft being attached to the front of the shoulder joint to help with stability.
Penrith’s medical team have worked hard to manage Edwards’ pain levels but after having fresh scans on Monday – then consulting coaching staff – the 28-year-old went under the knife the following day.
Recovery time from the Latarjet procedure is 14 to 16 weeks. The Panthers face Cronulla at Allegiant Stadium to open the 2025 season on Saturday, March 1 (Sunday, AEDT), which is 15 weeks away.
Edwards kept his problematic shoulder so quiet, Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga had no idea surgery was an option until this masthead alerted him at a fan day, two days before the Tongan clash.
Dylan Edwards has undergone shoulder surgeryCredit: Getty Images
“He doesn’t complain, I know he’s had a crook shoulder, but I wasn’t aware he needed surgery,” Meninga said.
“He’s the ultimate professional, he’s been great around the group, and when he talks, you listen. He’s found his sense of belonging in this team.”
Edwards is regarded as one of the toughest players in the game, and played through the pain of a posterior cruciate ligament injury in Origin III. He returned the back half of the season with his knee heavily strapped, yet his problematic knee simply needs rest and no surgery.
Penrith expects Edwards and Cleary to be ready for Las Vegas, and the fact they are returning from the same operation will make it easier for the club to map out an injury rehabilitation program, including when they can resume passing, strength work and finally wrestling.
Nathan Cleary’s shoulder surgery was a success last week.Credit: Instagram
But coach Ivan Cleary will also be mindful of the long season and not playing two of his most important players if they are underdone, especially knowing he no longer has back-up halfback Jarome Luai and a fullback option, Sunia Turuva, who have both since joined Wests Tigers.
Jack Cole, new recruit Blaize Talagi and Brad Schneider are halves options, Daine Laurie can cover the halves and fullback, while Casey McLean is also another No.1 option if Edwards is sidelined.
Cleary had to wait until his surgeon returned from annual leave, which allowed him to spend a few weeks in Europe with his Matildas partner Mary Fowler following the Panthers’ fourth straight NRL title. He is eight days ahead of Edwards in terms of recovery.
There was a fear from Penrith medicos the surgeon would discover Cleary required a labral repair, or a clean-up of his rotator cuff, which would not have been truly realised until he went under the knife. Both players avoided the need for any extra repairs.
It was a brilliant season for Edwards who won a fourth NRL title, played in his first Origin series – a triumphant one for NSW – and earned the Kangaroos fullback spot, his position to lose now until at least the 2026 World Cup.
Fellow Australia representative Isaah Yeo finished the season with 32 games, including three Origin games, three Tests and a World Club Challenge, and will enjoy the off-season without any running repairs to his body.
