Penrith Panthers star Nathan Cleary appeared to respond to questions about his team’s status as one of the best rugby league teams to ever play in Australia.
Ivan Cleary’s side secured their immortality in rugby league history by claiming their fourth consecutive premiership on Sunday, beating the Melbourne Storm 14-6 at the Accor Stadium.
The Panthers, who have dominated the competition for the past four years, have been compared to some of the greatest teams in Australian Rugby League history, including the St George Illawarra Dragons, who won an astonishing 11 consecutive premierships. between 1956 and 1966.
But there are some who believe the Panthers couldn’t compare to the major league teams of the 1980s, the Parramatta Eels.
While the Eels could only win three titles in a row, narrowly losing their own title four to the Bulldogs by two points in the 1984 final, former losing forward Ray Price debunked claims that the Panthers had overtaken his team.
“No, no, no, no… not a hope,” he said. The daily telegraph.
Penrith star Nathan Cleary has responded to claims about his team’s credentials as one of the greatest Australian rugby league teams of all time.
Isaah Yeo (left) also dismissed claims made by a league legend that the Panthers would not measure up to his former club.
Former Eels star Ray Price had claimed Penrith’s fourth title did not put the Panthers ahead of the Parramatta team of the 1980s.
‘They haven’t passed us. I don’t think this Penrith side can beat my Parramatta side.
“While Penrith have done exceptionally well, the Parramatta team had all positions covered and we had all tactics covered,” he added.
“We had a lot of players who could tackle. That (the 1980s Eels team) was our best team. Parramatta was a stronger team back then than this Penrith team.
Cleary, who played a key role in the Panthers’ victory on Sunday, setting up Liam Martin for a crucial try just before half-time, appeared to disagree with the rugby league greats’ view.
On social media, Cleary reposted a link to the Daily Telegraph article on her Instagram story.
The runner added a “thinking face” emoji to the story and inserted Skepta’s song “You Wish” into the post.
Cleary responded to the comments on Instagram, posting a ‘thinking face’ emoji accompanied by the song ‘You Wish’ by Skepta.
Co-captain Isaah Yeo also rejected the claims during the Panthers’ end-of-season awards night on Tuesday.
Responding to the comments, the co-captain said: “To that I would like to say that four is more than three.”
The first place winners emerged from their three-day celebrations for the presentation of the Merv Cartwright Medal at Sydney’s Pullman Hotel.
The players arrived at the red carpet event, dressed in suits and boots, and young prop Liam Henry received the Ben Alexander Rookie of the Year award. Matt Eisenhuth was crowned club man of the year, while Yeo would win his second consecutive Merv Cartwright medal.
On Tuesday, Ivan Cleary also confirmed what his son’s summer could look like, with Penrith anticipating that he will need surgery on his injured shoulder before next season.
Cleary starred in the Panters’ win on Sunday, but could fly to the UK to meet his girlfriend Mary Fowler.
Man City star Fowler posted his support for Cleary on Instagram after the win, wearing some Panthers.
The soccer superstar has been battling a shoulder injury all season and has decided to delay much-needed surgery to be with his teammate.
Cleary said the broker could call off the operation so he can fly to the UK and spend time with his partner Mary Fowler.
“He’s going overseas to see Mary, spend some time with her and then he’ll call it a day,” she told Seven at the club’s awards night on Tuesday.
‘(There was) a little bit of work today to see who needs surgery and all that. “We’ve got some guys picked on rep teams, which is always exciting, really good times.”
Cleary added: “I met Mary…she’s a lovely girl and very mature for her age.” “They’re very happy together, so that’s the main thing.”