Panthers hopeful Nathan won’t follow Ivan out the door after seismic coaching call

Penrith believes the coaching succession plan the club has announced for Ivan Cleary will “enhance” the chances of son Nathan recommitting long term.

Cleary has made the decision not to coach the Panthers beyond his next contract, which expires at the end of 2027. Assistant Peter Wallace will replace him as head coach on a three-year deal.

The news came as a shock to the rugby league world, but it has been something Cleary has been thinking about since the club brokered the prospect of an extension two years ago. The move presents a seismic shift in the league landscape, given Cleary oversaw four consecutive premierships between 2021-2024, an unprecedented achievement in the salary cap era.

“It’s a decision I haven’t taken lightly and thought about for a long time,” Cleary, who will remain at the Panthers in a yet to be confirmed advisory role, said.

“It’s definitely the right thing for me, my family and the club. I feel really strongly that this is the right time for me to step aside.”

The Panthers sit on top of the ladder and are short-priced favourites to win another premiership. Cleary feels his decision won’t distract from their 2026 campaign.

“I feel I’m coaching better now that I have an end date,” he said.

The development will only raise further conjecture about the future of Cleary’s son, champion playmaker Nathan. However, Penrith chief executive Matt Cameron said an early call on Cleary’s future, and the appointment of assistant Wallace, increased the chances of Cleary junior extending his time at the club.

“I’m confident it will enhance [the chances],” Cameron said.

“[The reason being, Peter Wallace] is sitting right next to me. If you were in the room 20 minutes ago, which a few people in the room were, the reaction from the playing group tells me that.”

Nathan Cleary isn’t the only superstar considering his options. Isaah Yeo, Liam Martin, Brian To’o, Moses Leota, Mitch Kenny, Isaiah Papali’i, Blaize Talagi and Paul Alamoti can negotiate with rivals if they haven’t re-signed by November 1.

Cameron said the club wants to keep them all, but respected their right to explore what they could earn on the open market, should they choose to do so.

“If they want to get a deal done, we’ll get a deal done,” Cameron said.

“If they want to focus on what’s in front of them at the moment, we’ll respect that decision.

“And if they want to see what opportunities are out there down the track, this cohort of players that we’re talking about have absolutely earned the right to do that.

“They’ve been incredibly transparent with us through the process and we’ll be incredibly transparent with them as we go forward.”

Former Panthers halfback Wallace played 240 NRL games before becoming the Penrith’s NSW Cup side coach in 2020. He won the NSW Cup and State Championship titles in 2022. In 2023 he joined the first-grade side as defensive coach.

Asked if he felt taking over from Cleary was akin to batting after Bradman, Wallace said: “I don’t know how to answer that question.

“There’s no better person to take over from, I think. The amount I’ve learned off Ivan over the years, both as a player and as a coach working beside him, and I’ve still got 18 months with him to prepare.

“So, in terms of transition, I don’t think there would be a better club to do it at and a better coach to do it under.”

Cleary indicated he may not be lost to coaching altogether, but said he wouldn’t coach against the Panthers.

“I’m not interested in coaching another NRL club,” Cleary said. “If someone thought I was worthy of a rep job, I’d consider that.”

After nine years in his second stint at the Panthers, Cleary said he was grateful to be able to go out on his terms. “Definitely better than getting sacked,” he quipped.