Cleary Dismisses “Dominating Origin” Talk as Panthers Stars Gear Up for Tigers Clash
Penrith Panthers coach Ivan Cleary has downplayed the notion of his son, star halfback Nathan Cleary, “dominating” the State of Origin arena. As Nathan prepares to rejoin his formidable teammates Isaah Yeo and Brian To’o for a significant clash against the Wests Tigers, the focus remains firmly on club performance rather than individual accolades on the representative stage.
Origin has long been considered the ultimate test for Nathan Cleary, a player who has already achieved unparalleled success in the National Rugby League, boasting four premierships and two Clive Churchill Medals. While he has consistently been the standout performer for the NRL’s dominant club of the modern era, his impact in the representative arena has, until recently, been a subject of debate. However, a stellar performance in the opening game of the recent series, where he now holds a 50 per cent winning record for New South Wales, has significantly shifted that narrative.
In a pivotal moment last week, the NSW halfback showcased his class by scoring a try, executing a crucial 40/20 kick, and orchestrating two tries from his boot. The most significant of these was the final-minute assist to James Tedesco, which Cleary then converted to secure a hard-fought 22-20 victory for the Blues. His father, Ivan Cleary, watched from the stands at Accor Stadium and expressed pride in his son’s effort, refuting the idea that his son needed to “dominate” Origin to validate his talent.
“I’ve always seen him do that,” Ivan Cleary stated, reflecting on Nathan’s performances. “He’s learned a lot over the years and has had some really good games and has had some other games where he feels like he could do better. I don’t even know what dominating Origin is because we’ve never seen anyone do it. Even Wally Lewis back in the day, he’s probably the only one who really (went close) but did he? I don’t know. I’m just so proud of him (Nathan) that he’s in there for a start and that he prepares as hard as he can and plays as hard as he can. He did well last week, but it’ll all be on again in a couple of weeks.”
Cleary, along with fellow Origin representatives Isaah Yeo and Brian To’o, was rested for Penrith’s recent challenging fixture against the New Zealand Warriors. However, their return for Sunday’s match against the Tigers signals a significant boost for the Panthers.
Adding further depth to the Panthers’ squad, Liam Martin has also made a return from a knee injury. His first game back since round six saw him feature prominently against the Warriors, positioning him as a potential candidate for an Origin recall, building on his 15 previous appearances for the Blues. Martin’s impact was felt in the second half against the Warriors, where he played in the middle and made a significant contribution after a quieter initial stint on the right edge.
When questioned about Martin’s prospects for Origin II, coach Ivan Cleary was non-committal. “I’m not sure,” he replied. “He’s obviously been there a lot and understands that arena, but it’s hard to say based on what he’s just done. I’m sure he wouldn’t let anyone down. It’s been a real stop-start year for him, so I think he’s just happy to get back out there. I thought the second stint where he came back on, he was looking pretty free, so he’ll only get better.”
The impending match against the Wests Tigers is set to be a fiery encounter, with the Tigers themselves showing renewed vigour. They recently returned to the winner’s circle, bolstered by the presence of key players such as Api Koroisau and Jahream Bula. Coach Cleary acknowledged the Tigers’ improvement throughout the season.
“They’ve definitely improved throughout the year,” Cleary commented on his former club. “They’re a high-energy team who look pretty connected. When they’ve got it going, they’re a real handful, so it should be a really good game.”
The Panthers will be eager to assert their dominance once again, with their Origin stars back in the fold and a stern challenge presented by a resurgent Wests Tigers outfit. The narrative surrounding Nathan Cleary’s Origin form may be secondary to Ivan Cleary’s immediate focus on securing a crucial two competition points against a team he knows well. The Panthers’ ability to seamlessly integrate their returning representative players will be key to navigating this demanding fixture.
