Suspended superstar Nathan Cleary has a new admiration for his Panthers after spending the past fortnight witnessing just how impressive they are during opposed sessions at training.
Cleary has used his five-week suspension to help prepare the premiers – and stand-in halfback Sean O’Sullivan – and now has a true understanding of what opposition sides have to contend with every week.
The gun Penrith No.7 – who is not due back until week one of the NRL finals after he was suspended for five weeks for a lifting tackle on Parramatta’s Dylan Brown – said he had good reason to believe the freshly crowned minor premiers would continue to thrive without his services.
Cleary also said the gold boots he wore the night he landed in trouble for his lifting tackle were still in his closet, “But I don’t know if I’ll wear them again”.
“Training with the boys in the opposing side has given me a different perspective on things,” Cleary told The Sun-Herald. “It’s been a good freshen-up for me, but I’ve also had the chance to train with the team. In the past when I’ve been out it’s been because of injury, and I haven’t had the chance to join the boys on the field.
“It’s great to see from the other side [during opposed sessions]. I’ve also worked with the coaches and had the chance to work closely with ‘Sully’ [O’Sullivan], who has been outstanding in every game he’s played this year.
Nathan Cleary has appreciated getting the rare chance to see what Penrith throw at rivals during opposed sessions.
“He was disappointed with himself more than he should have been against Melbourne, then he came out against Souths [on Thursday night] and you would have thought he had played 150 NRL games the way he controlled the game and his kicking game.
“Even with players out, I always had full confidence in the team. We have that culture where anyone in the top 30 who comes in will do a job. Once I was [suspended] I never doubted them [to keep winning].”
The Panthers will be presented with the JJ Giltinan Shield on Friday when they take on the Warriors in front of their home fans, then likely rest players for the final-round trip to Townsville against North Queensland.
James Fisher-Harris returns from suspension against the Warriors, while Cleary and the injured Jarome Luai will be available for the opening weekend of the finals at BlueBet Stadium.
The bookies have kept Penrith at close to even money to win the title, but Cleary knows “once you get to finals, it’s a whole new competition”. Penrith lost to Souths in week one last season and had to win three games in a row to be crowned champions.
Cleary was shattered when he lifted Brown into a dangerous position and was prepared to receive whatever penalty the match review committee handed down.
“I instantly regretted it and knew I got it wrong,” Cleary said. “I apologised to Dylan straight away. You never want those tackles in the game – it just wasn’t a good tackle.”
Meanwhile, Cleary felt for South Sydney winger Jaxson Paulo who was exposed to shocking online abuse and death threats following an error-riddled night against Penrith.
“I don’t know what people get out of the abuse, especially death threats,” Cleary said. “It won’t change the result or make Jaxson feel any better. I struggle to find what people get out of sending messages like that. Hopefully he’s got good support around him and he comes through the other side.”
Stream the NRL premiership 2022 live and free on 9Now.
Sports news, results and expert commentary. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.
