Ivan Cleary Confident Panthers are in ‘Good Space’ Despite Key Player Departures
As the Penrith Panthers prepare for the departure of several key players at the end of the 2025 season, head coach Ivan Cleary has expressed confidence in the club’s future, insisting that the team is in a “good space” despite the inevitable changes. With the NRL’s salary cap forcing clubs to make tough decisions, the Panthers are set to lose five crucial players, but Cleary remains upbeat about the club’s ability to remain competitive in the coming seasons.
The Panthers have been one of the most dominant teams in the NRL in recent years, clinching premiership titles in 2021 and 2022, and boasting a roster full of talent. However, with several key players nearing the end of their contracts and the club’s salary cap burden growing, the inevitable exodus of talent is now on the horizon. Among those expected to depart are some of the club’s most influential figures, who have played pivotal roles in the team’s success.
Despite the departures, Cleary’s belief in the Panthers’ system and player development process remains steadfast. He is confident that the strong culture the club has built will allow them to continue thriving.
“We’ve always been in a position where we’ve had to adapt, and that’s no different now,” Cleary said during a recent press conference. “We’ve had players come and go over the years, and while we’ll obviously miss those leaving, we’ve got a really strong foundation in place. We’ve developed a great depth of talent through our pathways, and I’m confident that we’ll be able to reload and continue to perform at a high level.”
The Panthers’ development system, which has seen them produce several top-tier NRL players over the years, is central to Cleary’s optimism. He highlighted the emergence of younger players ready to step up into more prominent roles, including several exciting prospects coming through their junior ranks. Penrith’s success in nurturing homegrown talent has been one of the key factors behind their recent dominance, and Cleary believes that this tradition will continue.
“We have a lot of young players coming through who are ready to make an impact,” Cleary continued. “Some of them have already shown glimpses of their potential, and we’ve got full faith in them to step into the roles that will be vacated by the players moving on.”
A key part of the Panthers’ success in recent seasons has been their strong squad cohesion and depth. With players like Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo, and James Fisher-Harris leading the way, the Panthers have maintained their position as one of the most formidable teams in the competition. While losing some of these stars will undoubtedly be a blow, Cleary believes that the strength of the team’s culture will help ease the transition.
The departures of key players are not a new challenge for the Panthers, and Cleary knows this will not be the first time the club has had to navigate such changes. Penrith has consistently been able to reload its roster while maintaining its high standards, and the club’s recruitment team has been excellent at identifying talented players who can contribute immediately.
“The important thing is that we stay focused on what we can control,” Cleary said. “We’ve got a great team around us, and we know that when one door closes, another opens. We’ve got to make sure we keep developing and building as a team.”
The departures will undoubtedly raise questions about how the team will handle the changes and whether they can continue their success in the coming years. However, the Panthers’ track record in recent years suggests they will be able to remain competitive, even as key players leave the fold. With a winning culture, a talented roster, and a coach who has proven his ability to adapt to challenging circumstances, the Panthers’ future looks bright.
In the coming weeks and months, fans will be watching closely to see how the club navigates this period of transition. While the departure of key players is always a difficult reality for any club, Ivan Cleary’s confidence in his squad and the strength of the Panthers’ system offers a reassuring outlook for the future. The club’s ability to develop young talent and maintain a winning culture is likely to ensure that Penrith remains one of the NRL’s most competitive teams for years to come, regardless of the inevitable player turnover.
