Nathan Cleary’s plan to keep Stephen Crichton at the Panthers
Gutted that Josh Mansour has been shown the door, Nathan Cleary has vowed to pressure a core of young stars to stay at the Panthers.
NRL
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Nathan Cleary has urged breakout centre Stephen Crichton to “grow old” at Penrith, convinced his re-signing is crucial to the club becoming an NRL powerhouse outfits like the Roosters and Melbourne.
Still only 20, Crichton heads a group of young Panthers who are currently being pursued by other clubs – with playmaker Matt Burton also understood to have received a two-year $800,000 offer from Canterbury for 2022.
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While Crichton has also been linked to the Bulldogs, Penrith officials are convinced the Mt Druitt product will stay loyal to the club that has already seen him become a grand finalists and Blues squad member.
Cleary also suggested he would use the next few weeks inside the Blues Bubble to “get in the ear” of Crichton, who is off contract in 2021, and fellow rising star Jarome Luai.
The NSW halfback said if Penrith were to mirror clubs like 2020 premiers Melbourne, a core group of players would need to now stick together.
It comes as Panthers officials — who are also keen to ensure the club sheds its ‘Forever Young’ tag — told veteran winger Josh Mansour he was free to look elsewhere for next season.
“You have to find a core group who can grow old together,” Cleary said after Blues training on Monday.
“And obviously with the success we’ve had this year, it’s the hardest part because you can’t keep everyone.
“But you at look the most successful teams in recent years, like the Melbourne Storm with their ‘Big Three’ who all stayed together.
“It’s the same at the Roosters, who have kept the nucleus of their team together for a few years now.
“The young guys have to want to grow old together.”
Asked about Crichton being pursued by rival clubs, Cleary continued: “Obviously we’d love to keep Critter because he’s an absolute gun.
“And I’m going to be in his ear this whole Origin camp telling him to stay.
“If you’re playing good footy and you’re young, everyone wants you.
“This is the first time Critter has had to deal with this and I’m sure he’ll be fine.
“(Laughs) I’ll just give him a nudge here and there.
“At the end of the day the decision is up to him, but everyone would love to have him stay at Penrith for sure.”
Burton, meanwhile, is less likely to stay put given he finds himself stuck behind the likes of Cleary, Luai and utility Tyrone May,
“It becomes hard because Matty is a great player and obviously thinks he is ready for first grade,” Cleary said.
“So you don’t want to lose great players like that.
“I also think he can force his way into the team, even if it’s in a different position.
“And there are that many injuries in a year he will probably end up getting a crack in the halves. We’d love for Matty to stay but again it’s up to him.”
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On Mansour, Cleary added that while the announcement was disappointing — “you never like losing anyone, and I love Sauce” – the club had a ready-made replacement in Charlie Staines, who only recently re-signed with the club.
“I think he’s scored six tries in 120 minutes of footy, so he is obviously a footballer,” Cleary said of the Forbes product.
“He’s super quick, his footy instincts are really good — he’s just scratching the surface at the moment.
“He needs to sort out his body. He’s still growing into it and had a few injuries but the sky is the limit with him. I’m super excited to see what he can do.”