Ivan Cleary, the head coach of the Penrith Panthers, has firmly stated that the team’s dynasty is not over, despite their narrow 16-14 defeat to the Brisbane Broncos in the NRL preliminary final. This loss marks the first time since 2019 that the Panthers have failed to reach the Grand Final, ending a remarkable run of five consecutive appearances and four premiership victories.
Cleary was candid when asked to reflect on the conclusion of what many have termed a dynasty. “What’s over?” he responded, asserting his belief that the team still has much to offer. “We are not going to win it this year, but we definitely showed a fair bit to fight back from a poor start.”
Reflecting on the Season
The Panthers’ skipper, Nathan Cleary, echoed his father’s sentiments, acknowledging the hollow feeling of missing out on the Grand Final but emphasizing the potential for growth. “Just a horrible feeling losing and being knocked out,” he admitted. “I just haven’t felt that in a while, so definitely don’t want this feeling again.”
Nathan highlighted the learning opportunities for both the younger players and the seasoned leaders on the team. “As Dad touched on, there’s a lot of young guys that can take a lot of experience out of this final series,” he said. “I’m excited for the future and I wouldn’t say anything’s over there.”
Analyzing the Game
The Panthers had a commanding 14-point lead, but the Broncos staged a comeback that ultimately sealed the Panthers’ fate. Ivan Cleary admitted that he never felt the game was securely in their grasp. “I didn’t feel like we were in control of the whole game,” he remarked. “The second half, generally speaking, I thought we were on the back foot quite a bit.”
Fatigue appeared to play a significant role, as Cleary noted the physical toll of a long season and finals series. “We definitely looked fatigued in the second half,” he said, acknowledging the Broncos’ relentless pressure. “They were obviously coming home and coming hard.”
Challenges and Controversies
Adding to the Panthers’ woes, a controversial decision saw Scott Sorensen sidelined with a category one concussion, despite passing his Head Injury Assessment (HIA). Cleary expressed his frustration over the call, which disrupted their bench rotation. “It’s a huge call, especially when he passes his HIA,” he stated. “Tough moment, makes life a bit harder, for sure.”
Looking Ahead
Despite the disappointment, both Cleary senior and junior are optimistic about the future. Nathan Cleary dismissed notions of panic during the game, instead attributing their performance to fatigue and missed opportunities. “It was just a game filled with fatigue,” he explained. “We had opportunities to kick ahead in the second half attacking their line but again fatigue plays a big role in that.”
The Panthers are now focused on using this experience as a catalyst for improvement. “It’s something to reflect on and get better,” Nathan concluded, signaling a determination to come back stronger in the next season.
The announcement comes as the Panthers prepare for an offseason of reflection and rebuilding, with hopes of reigniting their championship form. As the team regroups, the core players remain committed to learning from this year’s setbacks and are poised to challenge for the title once again in the upcoming season.
