Penrith Panthers coach Ivan Cleary faced a challenging moment as both a coach and a father when his son, star halfback Nathan Cleary, was forced off the field with a shoulder injury. The injury, sustained during last Thursday’s loss to the Storm, is expected to sideline Nathan for the remainder of the regular season. Ivan, a three-time premiership-winning coach, found it difficult to separate his professional duties from his personal emotions, expressing deep concern for his son. He admitted that balancing his role as a coach and his feelings as a father was tough, particularly when witnessing his son’s obvious disappointment.
Nathan Cleary’s shoulder injury is a recurrence of an issue he faced earlier in the season, which the team had managed to keep under wraps. This injury, combined with previous hamstring problems, has limited Nathan to just 10 matches this season. Despite the setbacks, Nathan has avoided surgery in hopes of returning for the finals. Ivan Cleary mentioned that the scans could have shown worse damage, and there remains some hope for Nathan’s recovery, which is a relief compared to a scenario with no hope at all.
Reflecting on Nathan’s pre-season shoulder injury, Ivan noted that it was a significant concern, particularly heading into a long season. Although Nathan had strengthened the shoulder while recovering from his hamstring injuries, the recurrence of the instability is a blow to the team’s ambitions of securing a fourth consecutive title. With rival teams likely to target Nathan upon his return, his road to recovery will be crucial for the Panthers’ finals campaign.
The Panthers are currently battling to maintain their position in the top two following their recent loss to the Storm. In addition to Nathan’s injury, the team will be without suspended hooker Mitch Kenny for their upcoming match against Canberra. Penrith has faced a turbulent season, frequently dealing with injuries, suspensions, and the demands of the State of Origin series. Despite these challenges, the team has managed to stay near the top of the ladder, demonstrating their resilience and adaptability.
Ivan Cleary acknowledged the disruptive nature of the season, noting that the team has had to adjust to various players being in and out of the lineup. This adaptability has become a hallmark of the Panthers’ season, with the team preparing themselves to face whatever challenges come their way in the remainder of the year.
