Why Panthers allowed Nathan Cleary, Mary Fowler reunion before Las Vegas clash

Just days before their Las Vegas clash, Ivan Cleary let his son Nathan jump on a plan to catch up with partner Mary Fowler, after the Panthers star halfback made a pledge to his father.

Penrith superstar Nathan Cleary made a pledge to his father and coach Ivan before he jumped on a plane and flew to San Diego a few days ago to catch up with partner, Matildas star Mary Fowler.

“He had a different week but at the end of the day he said it would make him play better, so let’s hope so,” Ivan Cleary said.

You can’t say Cronulla haven’t been warned as they prepare to face the four-time premiers at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday (AEDT).

Mary Fowler and Nathan Cleary reunite in San Diego, California. Picture: Instagram

Cleary is already the best player in the game – coaches voted overwhelmingly for him in this masthead’s recent poll – but at 27, his best years are still in front of him.

He is at an age when playmakers traditionally begin to peak and as the Panthers pursue a fifth consecutive title, their fate – as always – will rest in their halfback’s hands.

“I think how much work and discipline he puts in – he just doesn’t miss a beat whether it is recovery, diet, doing extras kicking,” back rower Liam Martin said.

“It is incredible how much work he puts into it. You can see why he is the best player and …. he is only going to get better.

“I think his best years are ahead of him.”

OVERCOMING INJURY

Nathan Cleary has had a litany of injuries over the past two years, the latest a shoulder problem that required surgery in the off-season.

In previous seasons, he has ruptured the posterior cruciate ligament in his knee, had multiple hamstring strains and returned from another shoulder surgery.

His body has copped a beating but Cleary keeps on ticking. It might be his most underrated of all his superstar qualities.

Cleary taking a selfie in front of thousands of NRL fans at a Las Vegas season launch event on Fremont Street. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Cleary only received the green light to play in Las Vegas a fortnight ago, although there was never really any doubt.

He works as hard as anyone in the NRL, not just on his game but on his body.

“I wanted to get it (operated on) straight away after the grand final, but then (the surgeon) was away,” Cleary said.

“So we just sort of sat down and were like, ‘all right, let’s just put everything on the table, will it work if I get it when I get back?

“We put a plan together with physios and they were confident that it would be sweet.

“I went to England. I was over there for about three and a half weeks and came back and got surgery.”

BREAKING IN A NEW HALF

Cleary will open the season breaking in a new halves partner in Jack Cole. Cole played nine games last season but never started alongside Cleary as injury kept the pair apart.

Their only starting game together was the World Club Challenge a year ago when the Panthers were beaten by Wigan.

Jack Cole will replace Jarome Luai as the Panthers’ five-eighth to start 2025. Picture: AFP

The assumption was that Blaize Talagi would be given first shot at partnering Cleary after his move from Parramatta, but Cole got the early jump after Talagi had shoulder surgery and maintained the rage throughout the pre-season.

It is now his jersey to lose, although coach Ivan Cleary insists both Cole and Talagi can find a home in the starting side.

“Jack has sort of been a man in waiting for a few years,” Ivan Cleary said.

“He filled in well last year – the games he played I thought he did well and it was a really good experience for him.

“He has had a really good pre-season. He started from day one. He is seen as the best chance for us to win tomorrow.

“Blaize’s time will come. He is only a young man. He still has to work out our system a bit and he is coming off a shoulder reco.

“His time will come.”

Isaah Yeo and Cleary have set the standard at the Panthers over the past four years. Picture: Getty Images

RAISING STANDARDS

The Panthers, led by Cleary and co-captain Isaah Yeo, have set an incredible standard over the past four years.

It means when you walk into the premiers, you do so with an expectation that you need to lift your game.

If you don’t, you won’t be there for long. It says a lot about the Panthers system that so many of their young players rise to the occasion.

There has been an assumption that the Panthers may start slow this season given the injuries and lack of pre-season playing time.

That won’t be an excuse at Penrith. The next man up philosophy has been one of their strengths over the past five years and they will head into Sunday’s (AEDT) game against the Sharks with only one thing on their mind.

“There definitely is (a responsibility),” prop Lindsay Smith said.

“You don’t want to be the one person that lets the boys down. That starts everywhere.

”Winning is a habit – you have to be winning at training, winning every little thing you can, every little moment now each day and every little moment on the field.”

Originally published as Why Panthers allowed Nathan Cleary, Mary Fowler reunion before Las Vegas clash