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“What Ivan and Nathan do next is going to become a hot topic of discussion as we move through the 2026 season,” Cameron said.
“The pair are both contracted until the end of 2027. There is a rhythm that exists once the season starts, and when we feel the time is right our chairman, Peter Graham, will engage with Ivan and Nathan to get the conversation started.
“With Nathan, the way sports science is these days and the way he prepares, he could play on another 10 years – who knows, he could set all sorts of new records for most games played and points scored.
“We’d love Ivan and Nathan to stay. They have already played a huge role in our success and we want that to continue.”
The Panthers announced contract extensions for the Clearys in April 2022, more than 18 months before Ivan was off contract and two-and-a-half years before Nathan’s deal expired.
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Complicating matters for the Panthers is that they have a host of other stars off contract at the end of 2027, including co-captain Isaah Yeo, Liam Martin, Brian To’o, Moses Leota, Mitch Kenny and young playmaker Blaize Talagi.
The Panthers have been forced to farewell many players from their premiership run since 2021, having been unable to match the bigger paydays on offer elsewhere. On average, they have lost about $1m a year in talent.
There has been speculation Cleary might finish his career in the Super League to be closer to his partner, Matildas and Manchester City striker Mary Fowler, in England.
The more immediate threat to the Panthers would be the PNG Chiefs, due to enter the competition in 2028, largely because of the mooted tax benefits. A bumper contract at the league newcomers would effectively be worth double what they could make elsewhere.
“We’d love Nathan to stay, we want Ivan to stay, and those other players you’ve just mentioned who are off contract at the end of 2027, your ‘Isaahs’, your ‘Liams’, your ‘Bizzas’ [To’o] and ‘Leotas’, your ‘Mitch Kennys’, all I can say is we’ll be doing everything we can to keep them,” Cameron said.
The Clearys won four straight premierships and arguably should have had a fifth last year, only to lose the preliminary final against the Broncos after leading 14-0 at half-time.
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