The rivalry between the Penrith Panthers and St George Illawarra Dragons has taken a fiery turn as Panthers head coach Ivan Cleary delivered a scathing critique aimed at Dragons’ head coach Shane Flanagan. Cleary’s comments have ignited debates across the NRL community, particularly as the Dragons aim to rise from recent struggles and establish themselves as premiership contenders.
In a press conference following his team’s pre-season preparations, Cleary didn’t hold back. “Stop dreaming,” he said when asked about recent remarks from the Dragons’ camp regarding their premiership aspirations. “The premiership belongs to those who work for it—not to someone who spends time in the media talking about winning it.”
This pointed remark was clearly directed at Shane Flanagan, who has been vocal about his ambitions to bring success back to the Dragons in 2025. Flanagan, known for his confidence and candid interviews, had recently expressed that his squad has what it takes to contend for the NRL Premiership. However, Cleary’s words suggest he believes the Dragons need to back up their talk with action on the field.
Cleary, who has guided the Panthers to consecutive premierships in 2021, 2022, and 2023, emphasized the importance of hard work, consistency, and discipline. “We’ve built our culture on effort and execution. Words don’t win you premierships—results do. Let’s see what happens on the field before making bold claims.”
Flanagan, appointed Dragons head coach ahead of the 2024 season, has been tasked with revitalizing a struggling team that has faced years of underperformance. Despite the challenges, the veteran coach has expressed confidence in the squad’s potential, citing key player acquisitions and an overhaul in team structure as reasons for optimism.
Dragons fans have rallied behind Flanagan’s vision, but Cleary’s critique has sparked a mixed reaction. Many supporters believe Flanagan’s boldness reflects his determination to transform the club, while others argue the team should focus on proving their worth during the season rather than engaging in media speculation.
This brewing rivalry adds extra intrigue to the upcoming season, especially when the Panthers and Dragons eventually clash on the field. For Cleary and Flanagan, the tension is likely far from over, and their contrasting philosophies—quiet hard work versus vocal ambition—could define their respective teams’ trajectories in 2025.
One thing is certain: this off-field drama has set the stage for what could be one of the most exciting and heated NRL seasons in recent memory. Fans will eagerly await the chance to see who prevails when words turn into action.