Latest news with #IvanCleary
The Australian
a day ago
- Sport
- The Australian
Panthers coach Cleary warns rivals of more improvement to come
Penrith coach Ivan Cleary is saying all the things that should create a little bit of fear among the NRL frontrunners as his team looks to make it eight wins straight against the Titans on Saturday. The four-time reigning premiers are still 'hunting' after their shock slow start, can still 'get a lot better' and have several dominant seasons worth of late-season success driving a growing confidence they can contend for five. Having spent time on the bottom of the NRL ladder in 2025, Cleary and his men know the job remains ahead of them to just stay in the top eight, with matches against top-four teams the Storm, Raiders and Bulldogs in the run to the finals. Panthers coach Ivan Cleary says his in-form team can still play better. Picture: Tom Parrish But what Cleary has seen in recent weeks, and past years, as well as what his players have done, has given him confidence about what's to come for his side that sits just outside the top four. 'Even over the last seven weeks our performances have continued to grow and I feel like there's more in us,' he said on Thursday. 'We've come through the Origin period where you team is just not together, sometimes they play, but they don't train throughout the week, so in terms cohesion and connection, I definitely think we can get better. It's exciting times for us.' Cleary said there was 'definitely' a confidence that came with previous achievements, if only as a reminder to his players what they were capable of when they put the work in. 'We've got confidence from the past in terms of the core of our team have produced in big games over many years,' he said. The Panthers are surging again. Picture:'But also this team, new circumstances, and it has grown in confidence over the last couple of months. 'If we can connect all of that together, it gives us a lot of belief we continue to work hard on the fundamentals. We have got a lot of belief that will hold up when it counts.' But Cleary also knows his team needs to maintain the desire that has propelled them back to this point. 'We have come from the bottom and we are still in the bottom of the eight. We feel like we are still hunting,' he said. 'I'm honestly not really worrying about the ladder. We are worrying about the Titans. 'We will finish where we deserve. If that's in the eight, then a new competition begins.'
News.com.au
a day ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Panthers coach Ivan Cleary warns rivals of more improvement to come
Penrith coach Ivan Cleary is saying all the things that should create a little bit of fear among the NRL frontrunners as his team looks to make it eight wins straight against the Titans on Saturday. The four-time reigning premiers are still 'hunting' after their shock slow start, can still 'get a lot better' and have several dominant seasons worth of late-season success driving a growing confidence they can contend for five. Having spent time on the bottom of the NRL ladder in 2025, Cleary and his men know the job remains ahead of them to just stay in the top eight, with matches against top-four teams the Storm, Raiders and Bulldogs in the run to the finals. But what Cleary has seen in recent weeks, and past years, as well as what his players have done, has given him confidence about what's to come for his side that sits just outside the top four. 'Even over the last seven weeks our performances have continued to grow and I feel like there's more in us,' he said on Thursday. 'We've come through the Origin period where you team is just not together, sometimes they play, but they don't train throughout the week, so in terms cohesion and connection, I definitely think we can get better. It's exciting times for us.' Cleary said there was 'definitely' a confidence that came with previous achievements, if only as a reminder to his players what they were capable of when they put the work in. 'We've got confidence from the past in terms of the core of our team have produced in big games over many years,' he said. 'But also this team, new circumstances, and it has grown in confidence over the last couple of months. 'If we can connect all of that together, it gives us a lot of belief we continue to work hard on the fundamentals. We have got a lot of belief that will hold up when it counts.' But Cleary also knows his team needs to maintain the desire that has propelled them back to this point. 'We have come from the bottom and we are still in the bottom of the eight. We feel like we are still hunting,' he said. 'I'm honestly not really worrying about the ladder. We are worrying about the Titans. 'We will finish where we deserve. If that's in the eight, then a new competition begins.'
News.com.au
5 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
‘Funny couple of weeks': Luke Garner declares he'll be at the Panthers next year after reports he could have been granted early release
Edge forward Luke Garner says he 'didn't enjoy' the past few weeks of uncertainty as he weighed up a potential early release from his Panthers deal, but he's glad it's all sorted now with confirmation he'll be at Penrith in 2026. Garner still has a year to run on his current deal but was given permission by the club to see if he could land a long-term contract at another team. Several Sydney clubs were reportedly interested in his services, but the two-time premiership winner will stay at the Panthers in 2026. 'My understanding is he is staying, which is great,' coach Ivan Cleary said last week. 'We always wanted him to stay. It was one of the situations where if he can have a look and extend you maybe think about it. 'But we're really happy, he is playing great footy and looking forward to the future with him. 'He has been really good for us, which we've needed.' Garner arrived at the Panthers in 2023 after claiming the wooden spoon with the Wests Tigers the previous year, with the versatile back-rower winning back-to-back titles coming off the bench in his two seasons with the mountain men. He's been handy coming off the bench but has also been strong whenever he's started in the back row or in the centres, with Garner just glad the situation has sorted itself out on the eve of the finals. 'It's been an interesting and funny past couple of weeks. It's something I'm not used to and I don't really enjoy,' he told the NewsWire following Penrith's big win over his former team on the weekend. 'I'll be at Penrith next year. 'I was looking elsewhere and the club was gracious enough to allow me to do that. But a big part of me didn't want to leave, and I won't be. I'll be here again next year.' Garner has started the past five matches in the back row and Cleary now has a tough choice to make with rep star Liam Martin returning from injury via the bench against the Tigers. Martin will start on the right edge going forward, with Garner and Scott Sorensen to fight it out for the other starting spot. 'I really enjoy my footy here, I love this club and I love the way that we've been playing,' Garner said. 'I just enjoy everyone's company and I can't just see myself leaving quite yet. I'm stoked to be here again. 'Ivan and I never spoke about it. He's a cool and calm dude, so it never came up. We had a little interaction the other day when it came out that I was staying, and he just let me know that he was happy that I was staying, and I said the same thing. 'He's an unreal coach and I love being coached by him.'
Yahoo
23-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Panthers fans divided after Ivan Cleary forced to axe 'grand final hero' for Tigers clash
Panthers fans are questioning the long-term plan for the NRL club's back-line after Paul Alamoti was the odd-man out when Ivan Cleary announced his team to take on the Wests Tigers on Tuesday. Cleary has named son Nathan to make his return after a one-week rest, along with co-captain Isaah Yeo. Izack Tago is also back in the centres after a one-game suspension, which has seen Alamoti dropped to 18th man. Alamoti has been a revelation since switching from the Bulldogs to Panthers last year, and has thrived under Cleary's leadership. A Test international with Tonga, the outside-back scored the match-sealing try in the 2024 grand final as the Panthers beat the Storm for their fourth-straight premiership. But he's been in and out of Penrith's first-grade side in 2025 due to a selection squeeze created by the form of others. Between Rounds 13 and 18, Alamoti only played one game at the top level, with coach Cleary preferring a back-line of Tago, Brian To'o, Casey McLean and Thomas Jenkins. Alamoti earned a recall in Round 19 and performed brilliantly in wins against Parramatta and Souths. But Tago's return from suspension and To'o avoiding a fresh injury has seen Alamoti go out again for the Round 21 game against the Tigers. McLean and Jenkins have seemingly cemented their sports at centre and wing on the left, after McLean also had a stint in reserve-grade earlier this season. Jenkins has taken his opportunity with both hands and is enjoying his finest season to date. Panthers fans divided over Paul Alamoti's axing But debate has erupted about what Cleary will do moving forward. Many believe Alamoti is a part of the Panthers' best 17, and is too good not to be playing first-grade. "With Izack Tago returning from suspension, Alamoti goes to 18th man," a surprised Joel Caine said on SEN radio on Tuesday. "He was the grand final hero in a lot of ways." On social media, Panthers fans questioned whether it might be worth giving To'o some more time to rest considering he banged his troublesome knee against the Rabbitohs. To'o was rested for the game against Parramatta two weeks ago, which came just days after the State of Origin decider. He made his return in Round 20, but limped off after copping a knock to the knee. He later insisted it wasn't anything serious, and was named to take his place on the wing on Tuesday. One person wrote online: "Should've rested To'o. Need him fit and firing for finals. Allows Alamoti to remain on the wing and Tago back into the centres." Another predicted: "Tom Jenkins will be the first one dropped pending a quiet game or so - Alamoti is a first grader at almost every NRL team." While a third addd: "I do not know what will happen in the next period of time, but it would not surprise me to see Alamoti back in 1st grade in the near future." It's a good backline that can leave Alimoti out. — Amarillo🏆🏆🏆🏆 (@Amarillo1942237) July 22, 2025 He's definitely one of our better outside backs - Tom Jenkins will be the first one dropped pending a quiet game or so - Alamoti is a first grader at almost every NRL team — Sport Season (@NRLFan1967) July 22, 2025 Should've rested To'o. Need him fit and firing for finals. Allows Alamoti to remain on the wing and Tago back into the centres — Adamdiffey (@adamdiffey) July 22, 2025 Brian To'o pushing through the pain for Panthers To'o's season has been plagued by injuries, starting when he was forced to miss the first game in Las Vegas due to a hamstring issue. The 26-year-old has played only eight games for the Panthers in 2025 and was under an injury cloud for the second and third State of Origin games - with hamstring and knee problems respectively. RELATED: Souths player speaks out after post-match moment with Latrell Teammate responds amid calls for NRL stars to cop Origin ban Speaking last week, the star winger declared it's his job to push through the pain barrier to help the Panthers secure a finals berth. Cleary's side have made an incredible resurgence from last on the ladder to sixth. But with seven rounds remaining, they're only three points ahead of the Dolphins in ninth and Roosters in 10th. "I'll always back myself to keep going," To'o said. "It's part of the job, you'll always be busted and bruised, but never broken."
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
NRL news: Major blow for Panthers as Dragons confirm signing of highly-rated brothers from Penrith
Ivan Cleary has previously called for NRL clubs to be compensated when their junior ranks are raided. The Dragons have confirmed the signings of twin 16-year-olds Alexander and Cornelius Pupualii in a major retention blow for the Penrith Panthers. The Pupualii twins are Panthers juniors, and highly-rated prospects. Cornelius is a 193cm-tall centre weighing in at 100kg, who the Dragons view as a long-term member of their back-line. Alexander is a 119kg second-rower, who has unfortunately missed all junior footy this season due to an ACL injury. Cornelius has been carving up in the Panthers' Harold Matthews Cup team (Under-17s). The twins are set to turn 17 later this year, and the Dragons believe they will be part of their first-grade squad for years to come. Ivan Cleary (L) and the Panthers have lost a talented duo to Shane Flanagan (R) and the Dragons. Image: Getty "The Dragons are pleased to confirm that talented teenagers Alexander and Cornelius Pupualii have agreed to deals with the club," St George Illawarra said in a statement on Tuesday. "The two will be contracted to the club until at least the end of the 2027 season." ADVERTISEMENT The Pupualii brothers grew up in Mount Druitt and played their junior rugby league with the St Marys Saints - in the heartland of Panthers territory. But Penrith had a fight on their hands to retain them, with the Raiders, Rabbitohs, Tigers, Sharks and Cowboys all expressing interest. But the Dragons ultimately won out after the twins and their parents met with coach Shane Flanagan. 'I'm grateful. I just want to give back to my family. I'm ready to work hard and I'm ready to pull on this jersey,' Alexander said via the Dragons website. Cornelius added: 'I have faith in this club's coaching staff and players. There is so much history here. We're both for the fans and can't wait to represent them.' Alexander and Cornelius Pupualii at Dragons headquarters. Hope for Dragons fans amid finals drought The Dragons are set to play the Pupualii twins at SG Ball Cup level (Under-19s) in 2026. Their signing is a massive boost for a struggling club, with the Dragons currently sitting 11th and little chance to play finals footy. ADVERTISEMENT The Red V haven't played finals footy since 2018, with Flanagan likely to miss the playoffs in his second year at the helm. However the Dragons have a good crop of youngsters coming through in the likes of Dylan Egan, Hamish Stewart, Lyhkan King-Togia, Loko Pasifiki Tonga and Jacob Halangahu. The Pupualii brothers will only strengthen their young core and give Red V fans plenty of hope. RELATED: Ivan Cleary wants compensation for Penrith juniors leaving As for the Panthers, it remains to be seen how highly they rated the twins. The Panthers have one of the best junior pathways systems in the NRL, which inevitably results in rival clubs poaching some of their best young talent. ADVERTISEMENT Speaking last year, coach Ivan Cleary called for the NRL to introduce a compensation system for when clubs have their junior ranks raided. "I think we should get dispensation, probably more in a development sense," Cleary said. "We develop a lot of players here that end up elsewhere, so I feel like we should get looked after more by the NRL in that space, apart from the salary cap and how it all works, it's hard to argue with. But I do think we should be compensated in some way for the amount of players we've developed and the status they've become throughout the league."
