Nathan or Ivan? If you could choose only one champion Cleary, who do you pick?

August 20, 2026 — 3:00am

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Ivan Cleary, you’ll be shocked to learn, hates having a fuss made over him.

Even when he’s about to coach the 500th game of his rugby league career, a feat only six other coaches have achieved in 118 years.

Right now, with a trip to Melbourne and three games left in the regular season, Cleary and his son, Nathan, who also happens to be his champion halfback, are staring up at their latest mountain to conquer.

How do they recalibrate their attack and win a premiership without Isaah Yeo, who I don’t see taking the field again this season after suffering a significant pectoral injury.

With the Clearys in charge, Penrith have built the greatest dynasty in modern rugby league.

Who has been more influential in winning Penrith’s four premierships? It’s like asking whether the chicken or the egg came first.

In this game and in the best teams, an NRL halfback is an extension of their coach. And a son is often an extension of his father, bearing similar attributes, virtues and habits as their old man.

Ivan and Nathan Cleary might just be the most perfect model of coach and halfback we have seen, or will see again.

Think about how the coach handles himself. When have you seen him blow up or celebrate a try when a game is still in the balance?

Ivan is cool as a cucumber, no matter what’s going on – whether he’s in the coach’s box, a press conference or his dressing room.

You can only imagine he’s been the same as a parent because Nathan is so similar in that facet of his personality. His greatest trait as a player is how he’s stayed cool and calm no matter the pressure on him, no matter the game he’s playing – semi-finals, grand finals, Origin deciders or Test matches.

Again, just like Ivan, can you recall Nathan blowing up at a referee or a teammate? I can’t.

With a gun to my head, and as an old halfback, I have Nathan as slightly more influential in what Penrith have achieved. Not by much – call it........

© WA Today