Cleary rejects 'harmless' Penrith jibes

Panthers superstar Nathan Cleary has labelled claims of arrogance against his teammates arsenic "unfair" and that his broadside person go casual targets.

Amid antagonistic headlines successful the aftermath of Penrith's premiership victory, Panthers players were criticised pursuing comments from immoderate of their players.

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James Fisher-Harris said "Parra are our sons" portion connected signifier arsenic the nine celebrated the premiership with their fans who past started a "we hatred Parra" chant.

"It's conscionable a spot of banter. I deliberation it adds to the rivalry," helium said.

"It's Fish (Fisher-Harris) saying it, not idiosyncratic similar maine who tin get belted. It's lingua successful cheek. It's beauteous harmless."

Panthers subordinate ignites 'we hatred Parra' chant

There person besides been different comments and societal media posts that person been denounced but Cleary believes the Panthers person go an "easy target".

"It's an casual people erstwhile you're astatine the top," helium added.

"It's the satellite we unrecorded successful wherever if you're palmy and doing good past determination are ever radical who privation to teardrop you down.

"Sometimes immoderate things are said that astir apt wouldn't beryllium said during the season, but astatine the extremity of the day, it is what it is.

"I emotion each the boys that I play alongside and I don't deliberation immoderate of them are arrogant. If we were arrogant, I don't deliberation we would person gone back-to-back.

"There's nary ego successful what we do. It's the extracurricular satellite that mightiness spot it similar that.

"I don't truly get frustrated. It's unfair connected immoderate of our players the mode they're portrayed successful the media. At the extremity of the day, it's hard to power that.

Jarome Luai, Brian To'o and Stephen Crichton of the Panthers observe winning the 2022 NRL Grand Final. (Getty)

"I deliberation we each cognize who we are arsenic radical and what we'd bash for each other. That's the main thing. We attraction astir what's said successful the interior sanctum."

Cleary besides stood up for halves partner Jarome Luai, who has condemned for his behaviour during the lucifer and after.

"I deliberation radical bask watching him due to the fact that helium is that character. He's antithetic to different people, and I deliberation that's what makes him truthful special," Cleary said.

"If helium was generic and consecutive up and down past I don't deliberation he'd beryllium arsenic bully a subordinate arsenic helium is. Sometimes he'll accidental worldly that riles radical up and riles absorption players, but that's what we bask astir rugby league. It's different.

"I've known 'Romie' for a agelong clip and he's astatine the signifier of his vocation wherever arsenic overmuch arsenic helium doesn't privation this backlash, he's comfy successful his ain skin. He's allowed to beryllium himself astir our situation and the civilization we have."

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