**Cleary Admits to Major Panthers Problem for 2025 After Putting Blame on Nathan Cleary: A Deep Dive into the Penrith Panthers’ Struggles**
The Penrith Panthers, one of the most successful teams in the NRL over the past few seasons, have long been a dominant force in Australian rugby league. With their formidable squad and remarkable consistency, the Panthers have managed to secure multiple premierships, putting them at the top of the rugby league hierarchy. However, despite their sustained success, the team is now facing a significant challenge heading into the 2025 season. In a surprising and candid revelation, coach Ivan Cleary has admitted that the team’s struggles are partially linked to the ongoing issues surrounding his son, Nathan Cleary, and the pressure that comes with being the face of the club.
Nathan Cleary, the star halfback and arguably the most valuable player on the team, has been instrumental in the Panthers’ rise to prominence over the last few years. His leadership, playmaking ability, and clutch performances have made him the cornerstone of the club’s success. However, as the team faces the inevitable challenges of building for the future while maintaining its dominance, Ivan Cleary has acknowledged that Nathan’s role, and the immense pressure placed on him, could be contributing to the Panthers’ current struggles.
In this deep dive, we will explore the factors leading up to Ivan Cleary’s admission about the Panthers’ struggles, the specific issues surrounding Nathan Cleary, and the larger problems the team faces as they look to the 2025 season. Through an analysis of both on-field and off-field dynamics, we will examine how the club’s foundation, while incredibly strong, might need a reworking to ensure long-term success and sustainability in the competitive NRL landscape.
### **The Rise and Dominance of the Penrith Panthers**
To understand the context of the Panthers’ struggles, it’s important to first acknowledge their rise to prominence. Over the past several years, Penrith has established itself as one of the premier clubs in the NRL, thanks in large part to a combination of strong recruitment, excellent coaching, and player development. Ivan Cleary, who has been the head coach since 2019, has played an integral role in shaping the club’s success, molding the team into a well-coached, disciplined unit capable of competing at the highest level.
Nathan Cleary, as the captain and halfback, has been the face of the club’s success. His performances on the field have been consistently stellar, with the young star winning multiple Dally M Halfback of the Year awards and being considered one of the best playmakers in the world. He is seen as the leader not only by his teammates but also by the fans who look to him as the focal point of the team’s on-field success.
The Panthers’ dominance culminated in 2021, when they won the NRL Grand Final, defeating the Melbourne Storm in a thrilling contest. It was their first premiership since 2003, and it marked the beginning of a new era of Penrith dominance in the competition. The following season, they successfully defended their title, confirming their status as one of the most dominant teams of the modern NRL era.
However, despite their impressive achievements, Penrith’s path to sustained success in the 2025 season is being questioned. For all their triumphs, a number of issues have emerged — some of which, according to Ivan Cleary, have their roots in the immense pressure on Nathan to perform at an elite level.
### **Ivan Cleary’s Admission: A Major Problem for 2025**
In a frank interview regarding the Panthers’ struggles heading into the 2025 season, Ivan Cleary revealed that the club faces a major issue involving his son, Nathan Cleary. The elder Cleary admitted that the weight of expectations on Nathan’s shoulders, combined with the pressure of leading a championship-winning team, was beginning to take its toll. This, according to Ivan, was causing friction within the team and affecting both Nathan’s performance and the team’s overall chemistry.
“I think it’s no secret that Nathan has shouldered a lot of the responsibility for us,” Ivan Cleary said. “He’s been the face of the team, and with that comes a certain amount of pressure. As a coach, I’ve seen firsthand how it can affect him, and it’s something we need to address going into 2025.”
Ivan’s acknowledgment is a rare glimpse behind the curtain at the inner workings of the Penrith Panthers, a team that has largely been viewed as a well-oiled machine. It speaks to the complexity of being part of a dynasty where the expectations placed on players — particularly a star like Nathan — can have unintended consequences.
Nathan, who is now seen as the heart and soul of the team, has increasingly found himself in a difficult position. While his leadership has been praised, the pressure to perform week in and week out can be exhausting. Over the past few seasons, Nathan’s workload has been immense — both on the field and in terms of the media spotlight. His performance is often the difference between a win and a loss for Penrith, and this responsibility has only grown as the team has been striving to maintain its position at the top of the NRL.
### **The Pressure on Nathan Cleary: Expectations and Reality**
Nathan Cleary’s journey in the NRL has been marked by meteoric success, but it has also come with immense pressure. At just 25 years old, Nathan has already accomplished so much — including multiple premierships, international caps with the Australian Kangaroos, and recognition as one of the league’s top players. Despite these accolades, the burden of being the franchise player for a team that expects nothing less than excellence can sometimes become overwhelming.
Cleary’s performances on the field have been nothing short of spectacular, but as his role in the Panthers’ success grew, so did the expectations placed on him. Whether it was in clutch moments during the finals or as the team’s primary playmaker, Nathan became the focal point of almost every match. His vision, passing ability, and leadership made him the player the Panthers relied on to execute their game plan. But this heavy reliance on one player can sometimes be problematic for the team as a whole.
The 2024 season saw some signs of wear and tear on Nathan. While he still performed at an elite level, there were moments when his decision-making and consistency wavered, leading to discussions about whether the pressure was affecting his performances. Ivan Cleary’s admission seems to indicate that this is an issue the Panthers are fully aware of, and one they are looking to resolve before it becomes a bigger problem in 2025.
A significant part of the issue lies in the fact that Nathan has often been left to shoulder the load of the team’s attack, especially when key players around him have struggled with form or injury. This dependency on Nathan has put him in the position of carrying the entire team on his back, and this is where the strain has started to show. Ivan’s acknowledgment of this dynamic was an important admission, as it suggests that the coaching staff is now focused on finding ways to ease Nathan’s burden moving forward.
### **Supporting Nathan: The Need for a Stronger Team Dynamic**
One of the key issues Ivan Cleary’s admission highlights is the necessity of building a more balanced team dynamic. Penrith’s success has been built around strong individual players, but the team’s future success in 2025 will depend on a more collective approach — one that doesn’t place such a heavy burden on Nathan alone.
Part of this shift will involve the development of other key players who can take on more responsibility within the team. Players such as Jarome Luai, Brian To’o, and Isaah Yeo have been integral parts of Penrith’s success, but for the Panthers to maintain their dominance in 2025, these players must elevate their game and contribute more consistently. If the Panthers are going to continue competing for titles, they must ensure that their offensive and defensive schemes don’t rely too heavily on Nathan.
One potential solution to this issue is to implement more playmaking responsibility across the team. While Nathan will remain the primary playmaker, spreading the burden of decision-making to other players can help ease the pressure on him. Whether it’s through Jarome Luai taking on more playmaking duties in the halves or Isaah Yeo contributing more from the lock position, the Panthers will need to find ways to better balance their attack.
Moreover, ensuring that Nathan is physically and mentally supported by his teammates will be crucial for his longevity and sustained success. With the NRL’s demanding schedule, it’s inevitable that there will be ups and downs for all players — but if the team can alleviate the weight of expectations on Nathan, they can build a more sustainable system that allows all players to shine.
### **Looking to the 2025 Season: Key Changes for Penrith**
As the Panthers move toward the 2025 season, there are a few critical changes and strategies that Ivan Cleary and his coaching staff will need to implement to address the issues surrounding Nathan and the team’s overall dynamic.
First and foremost, Penrith will need to focus on squad depth. With several key players approaching the twilight of their careers or dealing with injuries, Penrith must ensure that they have strong, capable replacements ready to step into starting roles. This will not only reduce the pressure on Nathan but also ensure that the team remains competitive even when key players are unavailable.
In addition to squad depth, Penrith will also need to refine their playing style to incorporate more flexibility. This includes diversifying the attack and giving other players more freedom to create plays. The success of the team should not rest solely on Nathan’s shoulders, and a more adaptable offensive system could be the key to both his and the team’s long-term success.
Finally, addressing the mental and emotional wellbeing of Nathan Cleary will be crucial. As one of the youngest superstars in the NRL, he is still learning how to navigate the pressures of leading a team to sustained success. The Panthers will need to create an environment where Nathan can flourish without feeling the weight of the world on his shoulders, and where the pressure to perform is shared among all players.
### **Conclusion: A Team in Transition**
While the Penrith Panthers are still one of the most formidable teams in the NRL, the admission from Ivan Cleary regarding the team’s struggles heading into 2025 highlights the reality of their situation. The immense pressure on Nathan Cleary, both as a player and as the face of the team, has become a significant challenge. For the Panthers to remain competitive and continue their dominance in the league, they must evolve and create a more balanced, collective approach to their game. By addressing these issues head-on, Penrith has the opportunity to build a stronger foundation for the future — one that allows their superstar halfback to thrive without carrying the weight of the team alone.
