Penrith fan day attracts massive crowd keen to celebrate fourth consecutive premiership

Panthers boss Brian Fletcher has signalled the club’s intention to re-sign Nathan and Ivan Cleary beyond 2027 - while possibly luring Mary Fowler back to Australia as well.

Panthers boss Brian Fletcher has signalled the club’s intention to re-sign Nathan and Ivan Cleary beyond 2027 - and possibly bring Mary Fowler home in the process.

Three days after claiming their fourth straight premiership, about 2000 fans squeezed into the backyard of the Panthers Leagues Club on Wednesday to celebrate with the team.

And Fletcher whipped the crowd into a frenzy by talking up their chances of not only extending their historic reign, but tying down the father-son duo beyond their current deals.

Penrith Panthers fan day. Pictures: Sam Ruttyn

“Last year on radio I said if we win in ‘23, we’ll definitely win in ‘24 and ‘25. So don’t be afraid of next year,” Fletcher said.

“We’ve also got ‘26 and ‘27 to go.

“And why I say that is, Ivan Cleary and Nathan Cleary are signed until the end of ‘27. It’s my job and the CEO of Football, Matt Cameron, to extend that as far as we can.

“Matt’s job also is he’s got to bring Mary back to Australia.”

As jovial as Fletcher’s final sentence may be, the prospect of keeping the successful Cleary combination will be serious business.

Departing Penrith star Jarome Luai thanks fans for their support over the years @dailytelegraph@[e-mail]/sxKYLfS72y

— Fatima Kdouh (@FatimaKdouh_) October 8, 2024

Not quite last year’s final 20min but it’ll do for these fans. pic.twitter.com/2CDLokHh7o

— matt (@mattencarnacion) October 8, 2024

The Penrith co-captain will be 29 when he current contract finishes up at the end of 2027.

After days of celebrating their recent triumph, Cleary was noticeably quiet during Wednesday’s festivities as he prepares to head to England to reunite with his girlfriend.

The star halfback, who played the entire finals series with an injured shoulder, has been forced to delay surgery due to the club’s surgeon being away on holidays.

That has opened the door for Cleary to jet off to Europe, where Fowler has club games for Manchester City over the next fortnight before heading into Matildas camp in late October.

The Matildas have away games against Switzerland on October 26 and Germany three days later.

True to form, Brian To’o is clutching onto a bottle of Coke Zero at Penrith’a grand final celebrations on Wednesday morning! He has six Coke Zeros every game day… plus two brekkie burgers, a bowl of chips and a caramel latte with extra syrup 🫠 @telegraph_sportpic.twitter.com/Cb6cZgFUaL

— Fatima Kdouh (@FatimaKdouh_) October 9, 2024

CLEARY TAKES A POT SHOT AT RAY PRICE

Cleary has taken a cheeky jab at Parramatta legends on social media.

Eels greats including Ray Price and Peter Wynn, who won three premierships in a row between 1981-83, told this masthead that Parramatta’s outfit from the 80’s was still superior to the Panthers despite Penrith becoming the first team in almost 60 years to win four straight titles.

Cleary took to Instagram posting a “curious” face on alongside the story, seemingly taking a dig at the claim the Parramatta’s premiers from the 80s could topple Penrith’s four-peat.

Nathan Cleary's Insta jab at Parra greats.

It comes after coach Ivan Cleary revealed the star halfback would be delaying surgery on his shoulder, an injury he carried through the final series, for a number of weeks.

It’s understood, the surgeon who will perform the produce is currently overseas, which is the main reason for the delay.

Jerome Luai enjoys a moment at the fan day. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Fan day at Penrith Leagues Club. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

DAILY TELEGRAPH - 9/10/24 Panthers fan day at Penrith Leagues Club. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Penrith Panthers fan day. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Kids wait to see their Penrith heroes. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Panthers fans have turned out in force to celebrate the club's fourth straight NRL title.