TOUCHDOWN: Former Penrith Panthers head coach Cameron Ciraldo called Ivan Cleary and talked with him about upper level team conditioning…

Former Penrith Panthers head coach Cameron Ciraldo called Ivan Cleary and talked with him about upper level team conditioning…

Former Penrith Panthers head coach Cameron Ciraldo has always been known for his deep understanding of the standards that underpin sustained success, and recently that commitment was evident in a thoughtful conversation with Panthers mentor Ivan Cleary. The two coaches connected to discuss a subject that has become synonymous with Penrith’s dominance in the NRL era: upper level team conditioning.

 

Ciraldo, who played a pivotal role in building the Panthers’ modern system, understands better than most that Penrith’s edge has rarely been about flair alone. Instead, it has been grounded in an ability to maintain intensity, structure, and physical pressure deep into matches and across long seasons. In calling Cleary, Ciraldo wasn’t revisiting old strategies — he was reinforcing a principle that continues to define elite rugby league performance.

 

During the conversation, Ciraldo highlighted how the Panthers’ conditioning standards had evolved into an identity. From relentless kick chases to repeated defensive efforts on the try line, Penrith teams have consistently worn opponents down. Ciraldo stressed that this level of fitness is not accidental; it is cultivated through daily habits, demanding training blocks, and a refusal to compromise when fatigue sets in.

 

Ivan Cleary, widely regarded as one of the game’s sharpest minds, welcomed the discussion. He acknowledged that conditioning remains the backbone of Penrith’s system, enabling players to execute under pressure and maintain discipline when matches are on the line. Cleary noted that while tactical adjustments and personnel changes are inevitable, conditioning provides the constant that allows systems to hold firm.

 

Ciraldo spoke about the importance of conditioning being both physical and mental. He emphasized that players must be conditioned to stay connected defensively, communicate clearly, and make smart decisions even in the final minutes of high-stakes games. According to Ciraldo, when conditioning slips, errors multiply — missed tackles, slow play-the-balls, and lapses in concentration that can undo eighty minutes of hard work.

 

The conversation also touched on leadership. Ciraldo pointed out that Penrith’s senior players have historically driven the conditioning culture themselves, setting the tone at training and refusing to let standards drop. Cleary agreed, reinforcing that true buy-in comes when players hold each other accountable, making elite conditioning a shared responsibility rather than a coaching demand.

 

What made the exchange particularly meaningful was its collaborative spirit. Ciraldo did not call to critique or second-guess, but to support and reflect. Cleary, in turn, listened with openness, appreciating insights from a coach who helped shape the very foundations of Penrith’s success. It was a meeting of aligned philosophies rather than competing ideas.

 

In the end, the conversation served as a powerful reminder of why Penrith has remained at the top of the NRL. Skills create moments, tactics provide structure, but conditioning sustains excellence. As Ciraldo and Cleary concluded their call, the message was unmistakable: teams that commit to an upper level of conditioning don’t just survive the grind of the season — they dominate it, setting standards others are forced to chase.