Penrith Panthers, led by father-son duo, putting together Patriots-like dynasty for National Rugby League
LAS VEGAS — What’s taking place with the Penrith Panthers of the National Rugby League at the minute, it’s the stuff fairytales are made of.As a team, they’re a dynasty that rivals what the Patriots did and the Chiefs are in the process of doing in the NFL.Penrith, which has been to the past five NRL Grand Finals and won the past four, plays the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in the final match of Saturday’s splashy rugby league quadruple-header at Allegiant Stadium.It’ll do so while showcasing Nathan Cleary, one of the best players in the sport, a player so dominant that he’s being called the Tom Brady and/or Patrick Mahomes of NRL.The 27-year-old Cleary, a halfback (the rugby league comparison to an NFL quarterback), and the Panthers are coached by his father, Ivan.“It’s super special,’’ Ivan Cleary told The Post on Friday of he and his son’s unique journey.“I feel so blessed — one, to be able to coach his team, but two, to have a son in it, as well.
It’s like a dream come true.’’Ivan Cleary is a former NRL player, a solid, dependable and cerebral fullback back in his day.But his son is doing otherworldly things on the pitch.
Dominant things.Nathan Cleary’s signature Brady-esque, take-over-the-biggest-game moment came in the 2023 Grand Final, the third of Penrith’s four straight titles.Penrith was down 24-8 to the Brisbane Broncos in the final quarter when Nathan Cleary, like Brady did in that famous Super Bowl comeback win from a 28-3 deficit to Atlanta, seized the game, tucked it under his arms and willed his side to improbable victory.In the comeback, he assisted on the two tries (like TDs in the NFL) and scored the game-winning try in the final minutes to secure a 26-24 victory.Does that sound familiar?There’s a reason why his nickname is “Iceman.’’It seems fitting that Saturday’s match is being played in the stadium that houses the Raiders, the team Brady partially owns.“Under pressure, Nathan is by far the best...