Latest news with #IvanCleary
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Panthers make move on speedster from rival club as back-up for Dylan Edwards
The Penrith Panthers have reportedly made an inquiry about Dragons winger Tyrell Sloan, after St George Illawarra granted him permission to explore other options. Sloan is back in the Dragons' first-grade side this week, with coach Shane Flanagan forced to shuffle his back-line with Valentine Holmes on State of Origin duty and Nathan Lawson out with a fractured scapula. But Sloan has been on the outer with coach Flanagan, spending the fortnight prior in reserve-grade. The Dragons have reportedly granted Sloan permission to negotiate with rival clubs, despite being contracted until the end of 2026. Reports have now emerged that Ivan Cleary and the Panthers made an enquiry about Sloan, and they could view him as a back-up to Origin and Test fullback Dylan Edwards. Daine Laurie has been used at fullback whenever Edwards is missing, but is yet to re-sign past this season. Speaking on Channel 9 this week, leading reporter Danny Weidler said the Panthers had expressed an interest in Sloan. 'The first club I've heard linked to him, which is an interesting one, is I think the Panthers have made a subtle inquiry,' he said on '100% Footy'. 'I'm not certain exactly where he'd fit in. He's obviously not going to be the fullback, but he's got speed to burn on the wing and he's a player that might thrive in that system." The Panthers have a plethora of options in the outside backs, meaning Sloan might struggle to crack first-grade at Penrith. But there are plenty of games in which Edwards is absent due to State of Origin duty or injuries, and Sloan has shown he's a handy option at fullback. Super League clubs are also said to be interested in Sloan, while former NRL premiership winners Bryan Fletcher and Matty Johns recently floated the Melbourne Storm as a potential landing spot. The Storm have a history of prioritising speed on the flanks, with Fletcher and Johns in agreeance that Sloan is the kind of player who Craig Bellamy could work wonders with. "I can see Sloan being the next Foxx (Josh Addo-Carr) down in Melbourne," Fletcher said on SEN radio last month. "I don't know about the Will Warbrick head knock situation, but I think it's been three months he's now been out. I can see him turning into the Foxx down there (in Melbourne)." Johns added: "I can see that Fletch. One thing with Melbourne and their scout Paul Bunn is he just goes after speed. He goes 'you just find those wingers that can just sprint and then Craig (Bellamy) will put the discipline into them. So Sloan would be exactly that type of guy." RELATED: NRL world rallies around Broncos star after awful family development NRL considering major rule change after Broncos and Bulldogs dudded Warbrick hasn't played for months as he battles concussion issues, while Grant Anderson is moving to the Broncos in 2026. The Storm still have plenty of talented outside backs in the likes of Xavier Coates, Jack Howarth and Sua Fa'alogo, although Fa'alogo's future is far from certain. The 22-year-old has a handshake agreement with Storm officials that he can leave the club if fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen signs a long-term extension. Saw him playing against us in reserve grade last year in which he had a blinder. With our coaching, and with a champion club, he will thrive. It seems like he was bogged down at the Dragons for some reason. — Fleetwood_Cadillac (@BarryBumperbar) June 30, 2025 I'd take him — jordanjackelyse (@jordanjackelyse) June 30, 2025 i was thinking the same. stands to reason perhaps a better winger than laurie too. — Jennifer 🏆 🏆 🏆🏆🐾🐾 (@JenniferSh93445) June 30, 2025 If they can teach him defence, might work out as an astute buy — @ (@vella_vision) June 30, 2025
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Nathan Cleary in positive signs but Panthers teammate in major doubt for Origin 3
Brian To'o appears unlikely to be charged for a high tackle on Bronson Xerri on Thursday night. But a fresh knee injury has put the Panthers star in major doubt for NSW for State of Origin 3. The Blues winger required strapping on his left knee in the first half of the Panthers' 8-6 win over the Bulldogs, and was seen leaving the ground with ice on it. Crucially, the 26-year-old managed to play out the game and didn't appear too hampered. But NSW coach Laurie Daley might not be willing to risk To'o if the injury is shown to be significant. "I'm still walking, that's the main positive sign," To'o said after the game. "I think it might've happened during the game, either way I'm all good ... It's good." The fact To'o finished the game might not be a true indicator of the seriousness. He played the 80 minutes with a hamstring injury in Round 4, but was later ruled out for five weeks. "I'm not too sure. He kept playing, but I have seen him do that before," Panthers coach Ivan Cleary said. "I honestly don't know how he is." To'o was also in some doubt for Origin 2 with a hamstring issue, which saw Bulldogs winger Jacob Kiraz brought into camp as cover. Kiraz will likely come in for Origin 3 if the knee issue forces To'o out. The Panthers winger is also facing a nervous wait to see if he's charged by the match review committee. To'o was penalised for a high shot on Xerri in the dying stages of Penrith's win, but it appeared to be whiplash from the initial contact to the chest that saw Xerri's head snap forward and hit To'o's shoulder. To'o has a clean record and would be able to escape with a fine if hit with a grade-one charge. But a grade-two offence would be enough to see him banned for the Origin decider on July 9. Asked if he was worried about the tackle as he left CommBank Stadium on Thursday night, To'o replied: "Nah. I asked him if he was alright, he said he was sweet. But I had to check on Brons and see if he was alright." Penrith coach Cleary and Canterbury counterpart Cameron Ciraldo both played down the tackle. In better news for the Panthers and Blues, star halfback Nathan Cleary got through Thursday night's game with no issue. Tellingly, he handed over the goal-kicking duties to Dylan Edwards, but was otherwise untroubled by a groin issue he picked up the day before Origin 2. "It was good, I didn't really have any scares at all," Cleary said after Thursday night's game. "This week I got two really solid training sessions in and felt confident. I am very grateful to the NSW physios and Penrith physios. "They put a lot of work into me and got me into a headspace where I was right to play. Goal-kicking is the next box to tick, but I was happy with how it went." RELATED: Sam Burgess rejection could see Dolphins sign international star New club emerges to snare premiership-winning Panthers forward Cleary also didn't kick goals for NSW in Game 2, which came back to bite the Blues when Zac Lomax missed three out of five attempts. If Cleary still isn't able to take conversions in the Origin decider, Daley might be forced to decide whether Lomax retains the role or it goes to Stephen Crichton or Latrell Mitchell. with AAP
The Advertiser
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
All aboard the Penrith revival after 8-6 win over Dogs
Ivan Cleary has declared the hallmarks of Penrith's success are back after the Panthers made it four straight wins with an 8-6 defeat of Canterbury. In one of the best games of the season so far on Thursday, Nathan Cleary produced the defining moment when he charged down a Matt Burton kick and scored in the second half. It was Penrith's only try after they trailed 6-2 at halftime, but proved enough to overcome a Bulldogs side beaten only twice previously this year. Last on the ladder a month ago, Penrith are now entrenched in the top eight and could finish the weekend as high as sixth if results go their way. The four-time defending premiers' revival has come on the back of effort plays like Cleary's charge-down, which was just the second of his career. A win over Wests Tigers three weeks ago was also sealed with a try-saving Scott Sorensen tackle, while they beat the Warriors last week without any Origin players. "There are definitely way more things like that happening, that just weren't there earlier in the year," coach Ivan Cleary said. "We have to keep doing it. "We started doing it against Parramatta (four weeks ago), they threw heaps at us and we defended well. "And then in the Tigers game, Soz and Nat made that play at the end of the game. That started it. If you get some results, you see that kind of effort is worth it." Cleary did not kick goals due to his groin issue, but got through the game unscathed 13 days out from Origin III. But there were fresh fresh concerns for NSW winger BrianTo'o, who picked up a knee injury and was placed on report for a high tackle late. Cleary, though, can feel something building again. "There is definitely that feel of confidence in what we're capable of that probably wasn't there at the start of the year," the halfback said. "It's those effort things. Over the four or five years, I don't think we've ever been the silkiest team but we've definitely been the team that's worked hard. "We've let go of looking too far ahead. There were times at the start of the year when we were looking at the ladder thinking can we make the top eight? "But now we've let go, just tried to build confidence and see where we go." In an absorbing first half the Panthers got on the board via a penalty goal for a Viliame Kikau high shot, before Jacob Preston bagged Canterbury's only try. But that did little to sum up 40 minutes that went from end-to-end, only for both sides' defences to hold on. After Cleary's match-defining charge-down with 26 minutes left, the Bulldogs still had late chances to win it. Canterbury opted against a penalty kick at goal to level the scores from the sideline with three minutes to go, before Matt Burton spilled the ball a few plays later. A Stephen Crichton pass also went into touch on the siren. The result means Canterbury will be knocked off the top of the ladder for the first time since March if Canberra beat Newcastle on Friday night. But the Dogs lost no admirers, playing 80 minutes with 16 men after Daniel Suluka-Fifita was concussed in the first tackle of the game. They blunted almost everything Penrith threw at them, with Crichton denying one Casey McLean try and Connor Tracey producing another great try-saver on the centre. Canterbury's defence also rushed Cleary at every opportunity, and it was telling that Penrith's only try did not come from structured play. "We've played them three times in the past three years," Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo said. "We got pumped the first time, last year we showed some good signs we could hang in there a bit longer. "And tonight we went toe-to-toe for 80 minutes." Ivan Cleary has declared the hallmarks of Penrith's success are back after the Panthers made it four straight wins with an 8-6 defeat of Canterbury. In one of the best games of the season so far on Thursday, Nathan Cleary produced the defining moment when he charged down a Matt Burton kick and scored in the second half. It was Penrith's only try after they trailed 6-2 at halftime, but proved enough to overcome a Bulldogs side beaten only twice previously this year. Last on the ladder a month ago, Penrith are now entrenched in the top eight and could finish the weekend as high as sixth if results go their way. The four-time defending premiers' revival has come on the back of effort plays like Cleary's charge-down, which was just the second of his career. A win over Wests Tigers three weeks ago was also sealed with a try-saving Scott Sorensen tackle, while they beat the Warriors last week without any Origin players. "There are definitely way more things like that happening, that just weren't there earlier in the year," coach Ivan Cleary said. "We have to keep doing it. "We started doing it against Parramatta (four weeks ago), they threw heaps at us and we defended well. "And then in the Tigers game, Soz and Nat made that play at the end of the game. That started it. If you get some results, you see that kind of effort is worth it." Cleary did not kick goals due to his groin issue, but got through the game unscathed 13 days out from Origin III. But there were fresh fresh concerns for NSW winger BrianTo'o, who picked up a knee injury and was placed on report for a high tackle late. Cleary, though, can feel something building again. "There is definitely that feel of confidence in what we're capable of that probably wasn't there at the start of the year," the halfback said. "It's those effort things. Over the four or five years, I don't think we've ever been the silkiest team but we've definitely been the team that's worked hard. "We've let go of looking too far ahead. There were times at the start of the year when we were looking at the ladder thinking can we make the top eight? "But now we've let go, just tried to build confidence and see where we go." In an absorbing first half the Panthers got on the board via a penalty goal for a Viliame Kikau high shot, before Jacob Preston bagged Canterbury's only try. But that did little to sum up 40 minutes that went from end-to-end, only for both sides' defences to hold on. After Cleary's match-defining charge-down with 26 minutes left, the Bulldogs still had late chances to win it. Canterbury opted against a penalty kick at goal to level the scores from the sideline with three minutes to go, before Matt Burton spilled the ball a few plays later. A Stephen Crichton pass also went into touch on the siren. The result means Canterbury will be knocked off the top of the ladder for the first time since March if Canberra beat Newcastle on Friday night. But the Dogs lost no admirers, playing 80 minutes with 16 men after Daniel Suluka-Fifita was concussed in the first tackle of the game. They blunted almost everything Penrith threw at them, with Crichton denying one Casey McLean try and Connor Tracey producing another great try-saver on the centre. Canterbury's defence also rushed Cleary at every opportunity, and it was telling that Penrith's only try did not come from structured play. "We've played them three times in the past three years," Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo said. "We got pumped the first time, last year we showed some good signs we could hang in there a bit longer. "And tonight we went toe-to-toe for 80 minutes." Ivan Cleary has declared the hallmarks of Penrith's success are back after the Panthers made it four straight wins with an 8-6 defeat of Canterbury. In one of the best games of the season so far on Thursday, Nathan Cleary produced the defining moment when he charged down a Matt Burton kick and scored in the second half. It was Penrith's only try after they trailed 6-2 at halftime, but proved enough to overcome a Bulldogs side beaten only twice previously this year. Last on the ladder a month ago, Penrith are now entrenched in the top eight and could finish the weekend as high as sixth if results go their way. The four-time defending premiers' revival has come on the back of effort plays like Cleary's charge-down, which was just the second of his career. A win over Wests Tigers three weeks ago was also sealed with a try-saving Scott Sorensen tackle, while they beat the Warriors last week without any Origin players. "There are definitely way more things like that happening, that just weren't there earlier in the year," coach Ivan Cleary said. "We have to keep doing it. "We started doing it against Parramatta (four weeks ago), they threw heaps at us and we defended well. "And then in the Tigers game, Soz and Nat made that play at the end of the game. That started it. If you get some results, you see that kind of effort is worth it." Cleary did not kick goals due to his groin issue, but got through the game unscathed 13 days out from Origin III. But there were fresh fresh concerns for NSW winger BrianTo'o, who picked up a knee injury and was placed on report for a high tackle late. Cleary, though, can feel something building again. "There is definitely that feel of confidence in what we're capable of that probably wasn't there at the start of the year," the halfback said. "It's those effort things. Over the four or five years, I don't think we've ever been the silkiest team but we've definitely been the team that's worked hard. "We've let go of looking too far ahead. There were times at the start of the year when we were looking at the ladder thinking can we make the top eight? "But now we've let go, just tried to build confidence and see where we go." In an absorbing first half the Panthers got on the board via a penalty goal for a Viliame Kikau high shot, before Jacob Preston bagged Canterbury's only try. But that did little to sum up 40 minutes that went from end-to-end, only for both sides' defences to hold on. After Cleary's match-defining charge-down with 26 minutes left, the Bulldogs still had late chances to win it. Canterbury opted against a penalty kick at goal to level the scores from the sideline with three minutes to go, before Matt Burton spilled the ball a few plays later. A Stephen Crichton pass also went into touch on the siren. The result means Canterbury will be knocked off the top of the ladder for the first time since March if Canberra beat Newcastle on Friday night. But the Dogs lost no admirers, playing 80 minutes with 16 men after Daniel Suluka-Fifita was concussed in the first tackle of the game. They blunted almost everything Penrith threw at them, with Crichton denying one Casey McLean try and Connor Tracey producing another great try-saver on the centre. Canterbury's defence also rushed Cleary at every opportunity, and it was telling that Penrith's only try did not come from structured play. "We've played them three times in the past three years," Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo said. "We got pumped the first time, last year we showed some good signs we could hang in there a bit longer. "And tonight we went toe-to-toe for 80 minutes."
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
NRL boss responds after Ivan Cleary lodges complaint over 'disturbing' change
NRL boss Andrew Abdo has moved to quell concerns over the decision to grant the Australian Rugby League Commission power to charge players after concerns were raised by Ivan Cleary. The Penrith Panthers coach has led the concern over the ARLC granting itself permission to charge players who escape punishment from the match review committee if they deem it necessary. They also have the power to downplay a charge if the original decision is deemed too strict. This led to backlash with Cleary claiming the ARLC's 'disturbing' decision leads him to believe they have no trust in the system. "I would suggest the danger there is that the Commission is not showing a lot of confidence in the MRC," Cleary said after Penrith's win over the Warriors on Saturday. "I don't know if that's the actual reason, but you can assume that, which is a little disturbing. I think that's probably the main issue - do we have confidence in the MRC? And if we don't, then we probably should fix that up, rather than trying to maybe come up with a, 'We'll step in if we don't think it's right'." Cleary used the example of Scott Sorensen's two-game ban as an example from the weekend. Sorensen's hip-drop style tackle on Dallin Watene-Zelezniak was not put on report during the game. However, the MRC deemed Sorrensen will miss two games for the tackle. This frustrated Cleary who felt their were inconsistencies in the game. Cleary wasn't the only one frustrated with the change. Rugby League Players Association boss Clint Newton claimed it was an 'unprecedented over-reach' from the ARLC. And Abdo has responded to the concern from within the community. Speaking on Wednesday, Abdo claimed the new rule was just an insurance policy for the league. "All it really means is that the Commission is able to, on very rare circumstances if ever, apply to the judiciary to review a matter that may have been missed by the match review committee, or may have, in their view, not been graded appropriately," he said. "There could be an upwards movement of the grading, it could be a downwards movement of the grading. This would be in very rare, exceptional circumstances as an insurance policy. It's not a case of us being in a situation where we're going to see this applied regularly, if at all." Abdo claimed he hadn't heard about Cleary's concerns ahead of clarifying what the ARLC's new power involves. But claimed each club will still be able to challenge their ruling and the judiciary will have the final say on all decisions. "The Commission has no powers to make a final decision, those powers will sit with the judiciary," Abdo said. RELATED: Blow for Storm and Queensland as star ruled out of Origin 3 Corey Parker calls for premiership-winning coach to stand down now Speaking ahead of the Bulldogs clash, Cleary hit out at the rules surrounding the hip-drop tackle. "I'm sure you've heard enough coaches post-game confused," Cleary said. "The actual hip-drop rule, I don't even know who wrote it and when it was written; it's very vague and it's nothing like why it was brought in." Considering Sorensen wasn't penalised, Cleary felt it was harsh. "I think he was very hard done by," Cleary said of Sorensen. "Scott made a tackle that is, in most people's eyes, a classic rugby league tackle and no one saw it (a hip-drop) - Dallin, not any player on the field, not a referee, not a touch judge, not 18,000 fans. "But someone got hurt, so we had to do a cold case and go back and try and find it. "It's definitely something that needs to be looked at because it's not just us and not just Scott, there's been a few others this year." Speaking on Cleary's example around Sorensen, Abdo admitted it was their job to protect the players. "We'll make no apology for wanting to protect players and we'll also put the onus on the defender to take all measures to avoid those indicators (of a hip-drop)," Abdo said.
News.com.au
25-06-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
NRL boss Andrew Abdo defends new powers that allow players to be charged for incidents MRC misses
NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo has hosed down concerns from Panthers coach Ivan Cleary and the Rugby League Players Association over changes to the judiciary system that give the Australian Rugby League Commission new powers to charge players for on-field offences. The RLPA revealed last week it had 'serious concerns' with the decision to amend the judiciary code that gives the ARLC 'absolute discretion and extraordinary powers' to charge players. Cleary doubled down on Tuesday and said the lack of faith in the match review committee was 'disturbing', but Abdo is imploring people to not read too much into it. 'It's not a matter of intervention, this is an insurance policy that the commission has identified to make sure that the policy as set by the commission is being applied,' he said. 'All it really means is that the commission is able to, on very rare circumstances, if ever, apply to the judiciary to review a matter that may have been missed by the match review committee or may have, in their view, not been graded appropriately. 'There could be an upwards movement of the grading, it could be a downwards movement of the grading. This would be in very rare, exceptional circumstances as an insurance policy. 'It's not a case of us being in a situation where we're going to see this applied regularly, if at all, but it is there as an important insurance policy. 'The commission has no powers to make a final decision, those powers will sit with the judiciary.' Abdo was also forced to address Cleary's comments about the MRC following its decision to suspend Scott Sorensen for a tackle that injured Dallin Watene-Zelezniak. The Panthers coach was furious with the call and said the rule needed to be looked at. 'The actual hip-drop rule, I don't even know who wrote it or when it was written. It's very vague and nothing like why it was brought in,' he said. The RLPA’s position on the recent changes to the Judiciary Code. Read the full statement here: — RLPA | Rugby League Players Association (@RLPlayers) June 20, 2025 'Scott made a tackle that is in most people's eyes was a classic rugby league tackle. No one saw it, even the player who was tackled didn't think anything of it. 'Not any player on the field, not the referee, the touch judges and not 18,000 fans (thought it was bad) but someone got hurt, so we had to do a cold case and go back and try to find it.' Abdo said he hadn't heard those comments but refused to back down on the game's stance to protect players wherever possible. 'All I'll say is that for a number of years now we've spoken about the importance of players having a duty of care and avoiding what is a pretty dangerous tackle,' he said. 'We'll make no apology for wanting to protect players and we'll also put the onus on the defender to take all measures to avoid those indicators (of a hip-drop tackle).'
