Cleary Senior Downplays “Dominating Origin” Talk as Panthers Stars Gear Up for Tigers Clash
Penrith Panthers coach Ivan Cleary is deliberately shying away from the narrative surrounding his son, Nathan, “dominating” the State of Origin arena. As the Panthers prepare for a significant grudge match against the Wests Tigers, they’ll welcome back a host of their star players, including Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo, and Brian To’o, who have been instrumental for both club and state.
Origin has long been considered the ultimate test for Nathan Cleary, a player who has already achieved remarkable success in the NRL, boasting four premierships and two Clive Churchill Medals. He’s widely regarded as the standout performer in the current dominant era of the competition. However, his impact at the representative level hasn’t always mirrored his club form, with his State of Origin winning record for New South Wales sitting at a respectable, but not overwhelming, 50 per cent. This figure, however, may soon be a thing of the past following his commanding performance in the recent series opener.
In that crucial first game, the NSW halfback delivered a masterclass. He crossed for a try, successfully executed a 40/20 kick, and orchestrated two tries directly from his educated boot. The most significant of these was the game-winning try for James Tedesco in the dying moments, a play that Cleary capped off with the conversion to secure a memorable 22-20 victory for the Blues.
Watching from the stands, his father, Ivan, expressed immense pride in his son’s efforts. He remains unfazed by the discussion of whether Nathan has definitively “conquered” Origin, especially after earning his third man-of-the-match award in the series opener.
“I’ve always seen him capable of that,” Ivan Cleary commented when discussing his son’s performance. “He’s developed so much over the years. He’s had some truly outstanding games, and naturally, there have been others where he feels he could have done better.”
He continued, “I don’t even know what ‘dominating Origin’ truly means, as I don’t think anyone has ever consistently achieved it. Even Wally Lewis, in his era, was probably the closest, but even then, was he truly dominating? It’s hard to say. My focus is on being incredibly proud that Nathan is selected to represent his state, that he dedicates himself to thorough preparation, and that he gives his absolute all on the field. He performed exceptionally well last week, but the challenge will be just as significant in a couple of weeks.”
Nathan Cleary was notably absent from the Panthers’ thrilling victory over the New Zealand Warriors on Sunday. However, he is slated to return for the upcoming clash against the Wests Tigers, accompanied by several other NSW representatives who were given a well-deserved rest.
While Cleary and others were sidelined, Liam Martin made a successful return from a knee injury, his first outing since round six. Martin’s comeback places him firmly in contention for a recall to the NSW Origin squad, adding to his 15 previous appearances for the Blues. Martin’s initial stint on the right edge against the Warriors was relatively quiet, but he found his rhythm in the second half, playing in the middle and making a significant impact.
When questioned about Martin’s potential Origin II selection, Ivan Cleary remained non-committal. “I’m not sure,” he stated. “He’s obviously got a lot of experience at that level and understands the intensity of Origin. It’s difficult to gauge his current form based on just this one game, but I have no doubt he would never let anyone down.”
Cleary added, “It’s been a challenging, stop-start year for him, so I think he’s just relieved and happy to be back playing. I thought his second stint in the middle, where he seemed to play with more freedom, was particularly encouraging. He’ll only continue to improve.”
Looking ahead to Sunday’s encounter, Ivan Cleary expressed anticipation for the match against the Wests Tigers. The Tigers have shown considerable improvement throughout the season, bolstered by the return of key players such as Api Koroisau and Jahream Bula.
“They’ve definitely improved as the season has progressed,” Cleary observed of the team he previously coached for two seasons. “They play with a lot of energy and seem to be a very cohesive unit. When they’re firing on all cylinders, they are a formidable opponent, so I’m expecting a really competitive game.”
