nathan cleary’s powerful wish stuns his father ivan cleary after panthers’ grand final triumph
in a moment that left ivan cleary stunned, his son, panthers superstar nathan cleary, delivered a heartfelt and powerful wish that underscored their deep father-son bond. the emotional revelation came after the penrith panthers secured another nrl premiership, further cementing their dynasty in rugby league history.
a wish that caught ivan cleary off guard
following the panthers’ grand final triumph, as the celebrations reached their peak, nathan cleary took the stage to speak about his father and coach. standing before the packed stadium, he turned to ivan and made a surprising declaration:
“dad, everything we’ve achieved together has been incredible, but my biggest wish is for us to keep doing this—side by side—until the day you decide to step away. i wouldn’t want to do this without you.”
the raw and heartfelt words left ivan momentarily speechless. visibly emotional, the seasoned coach took a deep breath before responding with a simple yet poignant nod, wiping away what appeared to be the beginnings of tears.
ivan cleary, known for his composed demeanor, rarely shows strong emotions in public. but this moment, captured by cameras and witnessed by thousands, was different. nathan’s words resonated deeply, highlighting not just the professional partnership they share but the father-son connection that has been at the heart of their success.
the father-son journey to nrl greatness
the clearys have built one of the most successful legacies in nrl history. their journey, however, has not been without its struggles. ivan cleary’s coaching career saw its fair share of ups and downs, including being let go by the west tigers before eventually returning to penrith. it was at the panthers that he reunited with nathan, guiding him from a talented young halfback to one of the game’s greatest players.
their partnership has been scrutinized at times, with critics questioning whether a father coaching his son could truly work at the elite level. however, their results speak for themselves. since ivan’s return to penrith, the panthers have dominated the nrl, securing multiple premierships and establishing themselves as a dynasty.
ivan cleary’s emotional response
while ivan has always been proud of his son, he rarely expresses it so openly. but after hearing nathan’s wish, he couldn’t hold back. speaking to the media later, he admitted he was “shocked” by nathan’s words.
“i wasn’t expecting that. as a coach, you focus on the game, on the tactics, and making sure everything runs smoothly. but moments like that remind you what really matters. hearing him say that… it hit me hard. it means the world to me.”
ivan went on to say that while he doesn’t know how many more years he’ll remain in coaching, knowing how much it means to nathan makes him more determined than ever to continue their journey together.
a legacy still growing
with another premiership under their belt, the clearys show no signs of slowing down. nathan, still in his prime, has the potential to become one of the greatest players the game has ever seen. meanwhile, ivan, despite the pressures of coaching, remains committed to leading the panthers to more success.
for fans of penrith and rugby league as a whole, the cleary story is one of resilience, loyalty, and an unbreakable bond. while their professional relationship will eventually end when ivan steps away from coaching, the father-son connection that has driven their success will remain forever.
