The early stages of the 2025 NRL season have not been kind to the Penrith Panthers. A string of uncharacteristic errors, inconsistent form, and mounting pressure from critics has clouded the air around a club that, until recently, had become synonymous with dominance. But in the eye of the storm, head coach Ivan Cleary remains composed—and defiant. In a candid media appearance this week, Cleary addressed the swirling doubts and rising noise, delivering a message that was both simple and strong: “We’re not done yet.”
It was a rare public show of emotion from Cleary, who has typically let the scoreboard and silverware do the talking during his tenure. With three premierships in four years, Penrith’s recent golden era under Cleary is one of the most successful dynasties the NRL has seen in the modern age. But now, with a less-than-stellar start to the season and some questioning whether the dynasty is crumbling, the coach has stepped to the front line.
“I’ve been around long enough to know that seasons are marathons, not sprints,” Cleary told reporters, speaking with a calm confidence that belied the Panthers’ current ladder position. “We’re not where we want to be, that’s obvious. But anyone thinking this team has peaked or given up—well, they don’t know what’s in that locker room.”
The Panthers, who opened the season with back-to-back losses and have hovered around mid-table since, have looked unlike the powerhouse that steamrolled through seasons past. Injuries to key players, including star halfback Nathan Cleary, haven’t helped. But even with a near full-strength side, the cohesion and clinical execution that defined Penrith’s recent success has been missing.
Cleary isn’t making excuses, but he’s also not buying into the panic. “People forget, success isn’t linear. We’ve had a few things go against us, sure, but I’ve never been more confident in our group’s character,” he said. “It’s easy to lead when everything’s going right. But this is where culture shows up. This is where you find out who’s really about it.”
It’s that culture—rooted in humility, effort, and belief—that Cleary insists will carry Penrith back to form. He pointed to the core of the playing group, many of whom have risen through the ranks together, as the foundation for the fightback. “These guys aren’t front-runners,” he said. “They’re competitors. They’ve been winning together since junior footy. A few losses won’t break that.”
Still, the pressure is real. The NRL is an unforgiving landscape, and sustained success often invites scrutiny when the tide turns. For the Panthers, who’ve set such a high standard, anything less than a top-four finish feels like failure in the eyes of many. Cleary, though, embraces that expectation.
“Look, I’d rather people expect us to win every game than be irrelevant,” he said with a wry smile. “That pressure is earned. It comes from doing things the right way for a long time. And now, we’ve got the chance to show we can handle it when things get tough.”
Among the growing list of questions swirling around the team, one looms large: has the hunger gone? After so much success in such a short period, there are whispers that the Panthers may have simply run their course. Cleary dismissed that narrative outright.
“It’s funny how quick people are to write you off. One month ago, we were still the team to beat. Now, apparently we’re finished,” he said. “Let me make it clear—we’re not done yet. Not even close.”
If anything, Cleary believes the early adversity could be a blessing in disguise. “Sometimes, you need to get knocked around to remember how hard this is. The pain of losing resets the focus,” he said. “We’ve had success, yes. But we’re not entitled to anything. This league doesn’t care what you did last year.”
It’s a message he’s hammered home to the players. Training sessions in the past fortnight have intensified, with a renewed emphasis on defensive resilience and disciplined execution. Senior leaders like Isaah Yeo and Dylan Edwards have reportedly taken on an even greater vocal presence behind closed doors, echoing their coach’s challenge to “own the standard.”
Fans, too, are watching closely. Penrith’s passionate base has grown accustomed to winning and isn’t used to seeing their team struggle. But Cleary called on the supporters to stay connected, not critical. “We’re all in this together,” he said. “This group hasn’t forgotten how to win. What they need now is belief—from each other, from us, and from the people who’ve been behind them all along.”
Cleary also addressed the external noise from commentators and former players, some of whom have suggested it may be time for a rebuild. He was quick to shut that down. “Rebuild? That’s laughable,” he said. “This team is still full of champions. Champions don’t forget how to play—they just need a spark. And we’re going to find it.”
What that spark is, exactly, remains to be seen. But Cleary hinted that changes—both tactical and personnel-related—could be coming as the Panthers look to reboot. “We’re not going to keep doing the same thing and expect a different result. We’re looking at everything—combinations, game plans, even how we prepare mentally,” he said. “That’s part of coaching. You adapt. You evolve.”
Adaptation has long been a hallmark of Cleary’s coaching style. From overhauling Penrith’s defensive identity to trusting in homegrown talent over big-name signings, his methods may not always be flashy, but they’re deeply calculated. His belief in the system, and in the people executing it, hasn’t wavered.
Still, Cleary knows words alone won’t silence the doubts. Results will. “Talk is cheap,” he admitted. “At some point, you’ve got to go out there and show it. That time’s coming.”
The upcoming stretch of the season offers a chance to do exactly that. With a mix of home fixtures and matchups against fellow contenders, Penrith has an opportunity to claw its way back into the conversation. Cleary insists the group is ready.
“You’ll see it soon enough. The fight, the fire—it’s still there,” he said. “We’ve built too much to let it go to waste. We owe it to ourselves to respond.”
In many ways, this phase of the Panthers’ journey may define them even more than the championships. Greatness isn’t just about winning when things are easy. It’s about how you respond when everything feels like it’s slipping. And for Ivan Cleary, there is no doubt that response is coming.
“We’ve been at the top. We’ve had the parades, the trophies, the confetti,” he said. “But the thing that makes me proudest is how this group shows up when no one’s watching. When no one’s cheering. When it’s hard. That’s what this moment is about.”
As he stepped away from the microphone, Cleary offered one final reminder—a statement not just of intent, but of identity.
“This isn’t the end of something. It’s the beginning of another chapter. Write us off if you want. But you’ll regret it.”
The Penrith Panthers may be wounded. They may be doubted. But if Ivan Cleary has his way, they won’t be down for long. They’re not done yet.