Penrith Panthers master coach Ivan Cleary has revealed his superstar son has put surgery on hold to be with partner Mary Fowler.
After playing through the NRL season — and grand final — with an injured shoulder, Nathan is in desperate need of post-season surgery and it was widely thought that would happen not long after the Panthers’ premiership victory over the Storm on Sunday.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Ivan Cleary reveals son Nathan’s off-season plans.
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But Ivan has told Channel 7 it’s not happening for a “couple of weeks”.
“He’s heading overseas to see Mary, spend some time with her, and then he’ll get it done,” Ivan told Seven at the club’s presentation night on Tuesday.
“(There was) a little bit of work today to see who needs surgery and whatnot. We’ve got some guys picked in rep teams which is always exciting, so good times.”
Ivan said things had been “pretty hectic” since the Panthers’ claimed their fourth consecutive flag on Sunday and there had been “a lot of good times” in the the aftermath.
“(But) it’s been with the people you love so it’s pretty cool,” he said.
He said the amazing achievement of his team was still yet to sink in.
“So much work goes into a premiership campaign and so many things have got to go right and, yeah, it still feels a little surreal,” he said.
But he said he would be back at work soon, and he would start organising the return of players after rep football ends.
“And then we’ll start talking about next year,” Ivan said.
“Hopefully after the next couple of days everyone can recharge the batteries a bit and go again.”