Ivan Cleary's sad confession about Nathan as truth comes to light about dressing room footage
The Panthers coach was spotted in a heartbreaking moment with his son Nathan Cleary.
Panthers coach Ivan Cleary has opened up on his struggle to separate being Nathan's coach and father, especially at times when his son is at his lowest. Nathan Cleary will miss the rest of the NRL regular season after dislocating his shoulder last weekend against the Melbourne Storm.
Ivan Cleary was spotted consoling a devastated Nathan in the dressing rooms after the game and chatting to his son about what happened. And speaking to reporters on Tuesday, the Panthers coach lifted the lid on what it's like coaching his son.
“It’s not that easy,” Ivan said. “Certainly, on the weekend, I guess there was a cross between understanding the relevance to the team and where we are in the season, (but) also as his dad just knowing how shattered he’d be.
“There was a bit of a moment there where I had to get myself back in the present and focus on what I was doing, so it’s hard. Injuries are definitely hard. Just playing and that, it’s pretty easy to separate (being father and coach), but I don’t think you can separate it in that sense.”
Ivan Cleary feels for injury-plagued son Nathan
Nathan has endured a frustrating season with injuries, after spending around 10 weeks on the sidelines with a hamstring issue earlier in 2024. Ivan revealed on Thursday night that Nathan suffered the shoulder issue in the pre-season, and has been working through it all year.
“He’s OK. He’s obviously disappointed, but the scans definitely could have been worse. There’s some hope there, so it’s much better than if there was none,” Ivan said.
“It (the pre-season injury) was fairly significant at the time. I remember thinking that it’s not a good thing to be going into a very long season with that. That was in the lead-up to the World Club Challenge, but he got through that and has had more time while being out with the hamstrings to strengthen that. For the most part, he’s had no dramas with that.”
There were initial fears Nathan could miss the rest of the season with his latest injury, but the club is confident he'll be back for the finals campaign. Dylan Edwards and James Fisher-Harris have also been sidelined for significant stretches in 2024, but the Panthers are still in good shape to finish in the top two.
“It’s been quite a disruptive year for us as a team,” Ivan said. “We’ve had guys coming in and out whether it’s injury or suspension or Origin all year, pretty much. I guess we’re used to it. We’re basically ready for it, no matter what happens for the rest of the year.”
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Panthers yet to decide on Nathan Cleary's replacement
The Panthers have named Brad Schneider to replace Cleary in the halves, with Schneider picked at five-eighth and Jarome Luai switching to halfback. Luai played brilliantly at No.7 while Cleary was sidelined earlier this year.
Ivan also named young half Jack Cole on the bench, and suggested he might come in for Schneider at the last minute for their clash with Canberra. "We're playing Saturday. We've got a bit to go yet," he said.
Meanwhile, Luke Sommerton will start at hooker against the Raiders in place of the suspended Mitch Kenny, who received a one-game ban for a high shot on Storm winger Grant Anderson. Mavrik Geyer has retained his place in the second row ahead of Scott Sorensen, who is expected back from his hamstring injury in time for finals.
with agencies
