Clune left the park early against Cronulla in round 11 and didn't return after failing an HIA. With a five-day turnaround into Thursday's clash against the Rabbitohs, the call was made to sit him out. McGregor said Clune is likely to be recalled, fitness pending, which wold see Ben Hunt revert back to dummy-half after playing in the No. 7 on Thursday.

Clune certainly has fullback Matt Dufty's vote, with livewire fullback crediting his longtime junior teammate for his own form resurgence through the middle stretch of the season.

"Hopefully he's back, I thought he was doing a great job for us since coming into first grade, he's grown every week," Dufty said.

"I've know Cluney since year six and we've played a lot of footy together, we now each others' game inside out. I love playing with Cluney, he loves playing with me, and I just feel a lot more comfortable when he's on the field with me.

"Its not taking anything away from Hunty and Normy, I love playing with them to, but the amount of games I've played with Cluney... it's hard to take that combination away when it's available.