Once again, the Panthers are the reigning premiership-winners and once again Ivan Cleary will have to find a way to replace outgoing stars.
The last two seasons has proven the master coach knows exactly what he’s doing when it comes to recruitment and blooding juniors.
Expect the 2024 season to be no different as Penrith navigate life without Stephen Crichton, Spencer Leniu and Jack Cogger.
Panthers powerbrokers have drafted in two new options to be the back-up halves pairing, while the club is set to look within to replace Leniu.
Meanwhile, the centre position could be the spot most under the spotlight with a returning star set to fill the void in the outside backs.
Ivan Cleary has cemented himself as one of the game’s best ever coaches in recent years, steering his side to a three-peat of premierships. What makes his achievements even more special is he has been able to replicate success with different staff in tow. Both Cameron Ciraldo and Andrew Webster departed at the end of the 2022 season, joining the Bulldogs and Warriors respectively. Cleary then went about adding Peter Wallace and Ben Gardiner as his assistants, and both clearly have had an impact on the Panthers squad, who were able to bounce back from an unthinkable position in the grand final to beat the Broncos. Premierships are the indicator of whether a coach is classed as one of rugby league’s best, and Cleary has three to his name in as many years.
