Penrith Panthers superstar Nathan Cleary has firmly shut down fears that his father Ivan’s impending departure will trigger his own exit from the footy powerhouse.
Speaking for the first time since coach Ivan Cleary dropped the almighty bombshell that he will step down at the end of the 2027 season, the champion halfback insisted the coaching shake-up has zero bearing on his long-term playing future.
While the rugby league world scrambled over what the massive news means for Penrith’s star-studded roster, Nathan took a playful jab at his old man at the airport, jokingly blaming him for the massive media scrum awaiting the team. On a serious note, the Blues No.7 revealed he is incredibly proud of his dad for making the tough call, but guaranteed his own position remains completely unchanged.
With a cluster of elite Panthers—including Cleary, Isaah Yeo, and Brian To’o—all off-contract at the end of next year, rival clubs are already circling. The looming arrival of the PNG Chiefs in 2028, armed with a massive tax-free war chest, has only intensified the speculation.
However, Cleary has shut down any immediate contract talk, stating he won’t even think about making a definitive decision for at least another six to eight weeks. With a brutal State of Origin series right around the corner, the game’s best player is completely focused on the immediate task at hand, leaving fans to wait just a little longer for his final signature.