They conquered Everest and accomplished their very own Top Gun mission, however Panthers hero Nathan Cleary has revealed his facet drew on the “undisputed” theme as this 12 months’s inspiration to assist them win a third-straight title.
It’s why the Clive Churchill Medal winner was introduced with a WWE championship belt within the sheds following the thrilling 26-24 win over Brisbane because the Panthers confirmed their standing as the best group of the NRL period.
No facet because the Eels of 1981-83 had gained three comps in a row, however the Penrith juggernaut has joined their western rivals after driving the undisputed theme by way of the finals.
Cleary revealed it was his dad who got here up with the concept, with Panthers coach Ivan Cleary discovering a brand new method to encourage his all-conquering group who proved but once more they’re the undisputed heavyweights of the NRL.
“We have a theme each year and this year it‘s the ‘Undisputed’ theme,” the champion halfback stated.
“I think Dad might’ve come up with it. From the outside looking in people might think it’s a bit lame but for us it gives us a purpose.
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“(He doesn’t follow wrestling) so I don’t know how he came up with it. I think he was just looking at different athletes and teams from all sorts of different sports … just champions, teams that keep winning.
“It‘s been the one belt throughout the finals series and each game we won, we put another plaque on it.”
The Panthers have now held onto the championship belt for greater than 700 days, with that quantity set to stretch past 1000 when the 2024 finals roll round and they’re inevitably within the combine for an additional title.
It’s nonetheless a bit wanting WWE famous person Roman Reigns who has held the Universal Championship belt for greater than 1100 days, however this group is exhibiting no indicators of slowing down with so lots of their finest gamers locked in.
Ivan Cleary was requested whether or not his present group might now name itself the best group of all time, and whereas he answered it humbly, you possibly can inform he was immensely happy with reaching one thing that ought to have been unimaginable within the wage cap period.
“It’s totally surreal. I don’t know how to explain that,” he stated.
“That great Parramatta side wasn’t in the NRL era so things were different and it was pretty much a Sydney comp back then, but I’m not taking anything away from what they did.
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“We’re not here to try to explain where we sit in history, but I think we’ll be able to reflect in the next few days on what’s been a pretty remarkable achievement and I’m super proud of it.”
Star five-eighth Jarome Luai was extra emphatic when requested if this was the perfect group to ever compete within the NRL, eclipsing the good Storm sides and the Roosters squad that went back-to-back in 2018 and 2019.
“The resume speaks for itself. No other team has done this. Hate us, love us, you can’t argue with it,” he declared.
“We’re just getting started.”
That’s a scary thought for the opposite 16 golf equipment, with this Panthers facet hooked on profitable and eager to increase their dynasty so long as doable.
“The best thing about going three in a row is that it gives you the opportunity to go four in a row,” Nathan Cleary warned.
Source web site: www.foxsports.com.au
