Penrith coach Ivan Cleary knows he’ll have to start again in 2023 with his premiership team to lose stars

Two premierships in two years from three grand finals is dynasty stuff from Penrith, but it won’t look the same in 2023.

Panthers coach Ivan Cleary will have a new-look team on and off the field next season. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

The impending departure of a raft of his back-to-back premierships winners presented a “sad” few moments for all-conquering Penrith coach Ivan Cleary.

As he basked in the glory of a second-straight NRL premiership, following Sunday’s 28-12 victory over Parramatta, talk of a dynasty for a team chock-full of youth filled the victorious changerooms.

But in the NRL change is inevitable and departures both on the field and off it of key players and even some personnel made for an emotional realisation for Cleary.

Superstar back-rower Viliame Kikau is on his way to the Bulldogs in 2023, with Cleary’s long-serving defence coach Cameron Ciraldo also heading there.

Viliame Kikau is heading to the Bulldogs. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Hooker Api Koroisau is heading to the Wests Tigers and another assistant coach, Andrew Webster, is stepping into a head coach‘s role with the Warriors.

It means a triple treat of premierships will need to come from a new-look team and Cleary said thinking about the departures was the only low point of a massively positive week.

“I got a bit emotional yesterday and I don‘t even know why,” Cleary said on Sunday.

“I think it’s just because, this moment in time, this team won’t stay together.

“There were some quiet moments on my own and a little bit in front of the boys.

“It just came over me and I think because we‘ve done so well for so long.

“It‘s very sad in our team this year, not just players, but coaching staff (are leaving). We’ll never be together again.”

Cleary said the loss of Koroisau, the heartbeat of the team and Dally M hooker of the year, would be huge.

“When Api comes on, he makes people feel good and everyone plays better while he‘s out there,” he said.

“He‘s had an incredible season, we won’t be able to replace him.”

Panthers coach Ivan Cleary and Apisai Koroisau embrace. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

But the future remains bright for Penrith, with a raft of young talent coming through a program that took all before it this season.

As well as winning the NRL grand final, the Panthers also collected titles in the SG Ball, Jersey Flegg and NSW Cup.

“That‘s how our club works,” Cleary said.

“You know, for us to be any good (going forward) we have to be able to do that. “