- Some Panthers stars follow a carnivore diet
- Nathan Cleary is in a select group ahead of the grand final
- Young Paul Alamoti insists he has never felt better
- Panthers chase fourth straight NRL premiership
It’s an extreme carnivorous diet that many athletes swear by, and it could propel Nathan Cleary and the Panthers to their fourth consecutive NRL title on Sunday.
Cleary, 26, has joined the likes of Izack Tago, Paul Alamoti, Luke Garner and Soni Luke on an eating plan that includes mostly meat, fish and eggs.
Tago told the Sydney Morning Herald The superstar running back, who will suffer a shoulder injury until the decisive game at Accor Stadium, was motivated after seeing his teammates “have more clarity.”
“Nath thought he would investigate it himself,” Tago said. ‘I know he did a lot of research and had some talks with the doctors. Then he decided to jump on it too.
‘You definitely know the difference. ‘For me, I noticed I had more clarity. When I wasn’t in it, I could feel mental confusion.
“You can see it’s made a difference for some of the guys this year.”
Backrower Garner claimed that coach Ivan Cleary “trusts the players” with what they eat, and this comes as doctors have warned that skipping key food groups such as fruit and vegetables can increase the risk of heart disease.
Alamoti, who is in the prime of his career, admitted that he was “pretty skeptical” at first, but soon noticed positive changes, mainly feeling fresher and more energetic.
It’s an extreme carnivorous diet that many athletes swear by, and it could propel Nathan Cleary and the Panthers to their fourth consecutive NRL title on Sunday (pictured, recently strengthened halfback)
Cleary, 26, has joined the likes of Izack Tago, Paul Alamoti, Luke Garner and Soni Luke on an eating plan that includes mostly meat, fish and eggs (pictured with girlfriend Mary Fowler).
Panthers center Paul Alamoti (right) noticed positive changes, mainly feeling fresher and more energetic.
Meanwhile, Scott Sorensen is confident he can return to Penrith’s grand final squad following a hamstring injury, but it may be at the expense of Matt Eisenhuth.
The pair travel together to train several times a week from south Sydney, and if New Zealand international Sorensen gets the nod, Eisenhuth will be kicking no stones.
“I’m getting ready to play,” he said.
‘We live in the Shire and although most people think that might be uncomfortable… we’re delighted with it either way.
“We’re all competitive beasts and you strive to be in those 17 and you can have days where that can frustrate you.”
“That’s part of football, some people are the superstars, but you also have your workers.”
Kick-off for Sunday’s NRL grand final between the Panthers and Melbourne Storm is at 7:30pm AEST.