Panthers block fiery loan prop playing against them in NRL first

The table-topping Panthers have blocked fiery loan prop Jack Hetherington from playing for the Warriors when the two teams meet, the first time such an arrangement has existed in the NRL.

Ivan Cleary is one of just three coaches to have loaned players to the stranded Warriors during their Australian stay, but he won't let Hetherington suit up against them in the countdown to the finals.

Jack Hetherington won’t play for the Warriors against the Panthers.Credit:Getty Images

Faamausili returned to the Roosters after season-ending ACL tears to Victor Radley and Sam Verrills while Alvaro and Jennings played their first matches for the Warriors last week in their upset win over the Tigers.

The Warriors' stocks have been threadbare all year and have been put under extreme pressure with four players returning to New Zealand last month. Key playmaker Blake Green also left to join Newcastle before the August 3 deadline earlier this week.

Hetherington has struggled to break into Penrith's top 17 this season given the formidable form of middle forwards James Tamou, James Fisher-Harris, Moses Leota and Zane Tetevano.

But Cleary sees him playing an integral role in the club's title assault, which will continue when they host the Raiders at Panthers Stadium on Saturday night.

Hetherington butted heads with Roosters prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves in just his fourth match with the Warriors, his opposite number brushing him off as Hetherington tried to speak with him after full time.

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