In the wake of a challenging season start, Penrith Panthers coach Ivan Cleary has expressed his belief that the team’s current position at the bottom of the NRL ladder does not fully reflect their performances. Despite a 26-10 defeat to the Manly Sea Eagles marking their sixth loss in eight rounds, Cleary remains optimistic about the team’s potential to improve.
Cleary’s comments come as the Panthers prepare for a critical clash against the Brisbane Broncos in the upcoming Magic Round. Reflecting on the team’s current standing, Cleary stated, “I don’t think so, but I guess it is,” when asked if his side deserves to be last. He added, “The ladder doesn’t really matter until July or August or something, but I guess it’s a talking point.”
The Panthers showed glimpses of their capabilities during the match, narrowing the score to 14-10 before two late tries by Manly sealed their fate. “We just didn’t play well enough,” Cleary admitted, highlighting errors and a significant penalty count against them as critical factors in their defeat.
Challenges Amidst NRL Crackdown
The game was marred by a series of penalties and sin bins, which Cleary believes detract from the sport’s appeal. “Yeah, absolutely and that’s just some of the things that we can control,” Cleary remarked regarding the penalties. He expressed concern over what he perceives as an overcorrection in the policing of high tackles and shoulder charges.
Cleary’s frustration was evident as he discussed the impact of these refereeing decisions on the game. “It’s not the way I don’t think we want the game as a whole to look like, but that’s just how it is,” he said, acknowledging that some issues were within their control.
Player Reflections and Team Dynamics
Despite the setbacks, Cleary remains confident in his players’ ability to turn the season around. “I don’t think you can question the character of our team,” he asserted, noting that while the team has shown resilience, they need to play consistently well to secure victories.
Star halfback Nathan Cleary echoed his father’s sentiments, expressing disappointment over the team’s inability to maintain momentum. “Pretty disappointed,” Cleary Jr said, adding, “It’s not good enough to be honest.”
“I think there were definitely periods where it felt like we were gaining some momentum, but we just gave away way too easily through errors and penalties and all the rest of it.” — Nathan Cleary
Nathan remains optimistic about the team’s potential, emphasizing the need for consistency. “I’m still super positive about what this group can do because I feel like in every single game we’ve had patches that are like the footy we want to play,” he stated.
Looking Forward: The Path to Recovery
As the Panthers look ahead, Ivan Cleary has challenged his team to learn from their defeats and improve their performance. “We’ve got to start the game better than we did tonight,” he emphasized, acknowledging the need for sustained good play to win NRL games.
Cleary’s focus is on building longer periods of effective play, a strategy he believes is crucial for the team’s success. “To win NRL games, you have got to play better for longer and we know how to do that,” he concluded.
The Panthers’ upcoming match against the Broncos presents an opportunity to reset and demonstrate their potential. As the season progresses, the team will aim to address their challenges and climb up the ladder, striving to reclaim their status as one of the league’s top contenders.
