2020 Vision: Cleary a Panthers captain in waiting?
Ending the season in a point-scoring flurry, five-time Blues halfback Nathan Cleary put an exclamation mark on an otherwise disappointing season for the Penrith Panthers.
Though the Round 25 clash with the Knights was pre-billed as a testimonial to outgoing pivot James Maloney, it was the France-bound No.6’s halves partner who stole the show.
Cleary crossed for four tries and kicked nine goals from as many attempts to set a new club record for most points by an individual in a match, with 34.
“He played well, up against Mitchell Pearce too. If they were vying for an Origin spot, you’d be thinking ‘I want to see more from Mitchell’,” True Blue Steve ‘Blocker’ Roach told the Behind Blue Eyes podcast of the battle of the No.7s.
“They were rubbish on the weekend, Newcastle. They gave the ghost up as soon as their coach got the flick.
“But you’ve still got to do it, you’ve still got to go out and score those points – you’re playing in a first-grade game.”
Many pundits have said that the 21-year-old half played his best football this season in Maloney’s absence, when handed the keys to dad Ivan’s ‘bus’ and made to sit in the driver’s seat.
Roach suggests Cleary could take on an added leadership role in 2020.
“I don’t know how that would work with your dad (being the club coach). If dad’s bagging players, to him as captain, it’d be tough. But I look through their list… if you look at that Penrith team, now, he’s probably the only one that stands out (as a potential captain)," Roach said.
“And he’s going to get his opportunity (to lead the team around) now that Maloney’s gone – It’ll be his team.”