Ivan Cleary has denied that Nathan Cleary is struggling to recoup after being stood down due to a head knock against the Storm as the side’s nightmare season continues.
The star halfback lasted just eight minutes in the grand final rematch in round three after a brutal collision with Jahrome Hughes left him with a concussion.
Cleary was sidelined for the following match in line with the NRL protocols before returning against the Cowboys last weekend.
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The 27-year-old however is yet to provide the immediate fix some were hoping for, with the Panthers dropping their fifth-straight game on Thursday against the Dolphins.
Nathan Cleary in action against the Panthers. Getty
Cleary was placed under the spotlight in the post-game press conference when one journalist asked if the recent concussion may have taken a tol.
The coach was quick to squash such suggestions.
“What do you mean? I thought he was outstanding last week,” Ivan said.
“He was our best player. This week, he probably has played better – but I just felt like the rest of the team were trying super hard but it wasn’t clicking.
“That is what happens when you are in this kind of thing. Momentum is against us at the moment so we just need to make sure when it turns that we capitalise on it.”
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Penrith recorded 11 errors and conceded six penalties in the 30-12 defeat.
To make matters worse, Paul Alamoti could be facing a stint on the sidelines after being sin binned for a high tackle on Tom Gilbert.
Despite the obvious issues and losing streak, Cleary remains adamant things can be fixed and their season is not over yet.
“Yeah, of course we can,” he said.
“I have faith in the boys, the team, the club. Obviously, it’s a little challenging at the moment and that’s probably putting it lightly.
“We just aren’t playing well enough for long enough. It is tough times at the moment.
“It’s pretty obvious that our defence is not up to standard and that is having a pretty big effect on the rest of the game – it did tonight, I felt.
“[Five weeks without a win] that’s just too many weeks where we can’t defend our line early in the game. It gives the opposition confidence and takes ours away a little bit.
“I’m still confident that we can improve it but we just have to do it at some point.”
Ivan Cleary and Isaah Yeo speak to media after round six. Nine
Penrith skipper Isaah Yeo conceded that the start to the season is one of the hardest challenges he and co-captain Nathan have endured in recent years.
“It’s certainly uncharted I think since Nathan and myself have come captains,” he said.
“There is no point being a victim. You sort of just have to pull your shoulders back and look at it all head on. You need to make sure that you’re looking at yourself in the mirror.
“I’d rather (we fix our errors) sooner than later. Sometimes those things don’t happen easily, you have to work hard for them. “
