Ivan Cleary is SNUBBED from illustrious footy award, as fans brand voting 'ridiculous'

Ivan Cleary has been snubbed from the 2025 Coach of the Year nominations, in a shock move that has left some fans fuming.

The Panthers boss saw his side come unstuck against Brisbane on Sunday afternoon, ending their hopes of reaching their sixth-straight NRL Grand Final.

Cleary, who has coached his side to four-straight premierships, was nominated for the award last year, but missed out to Craig Bellamy.

Despite that, the 54-year-old is a two-time Dally M Coach of the Year award winner, having clinched the award in 2014 and 2020.

While he won’t win a premiership this season, with Brisbane set to now square off against Melbourne in Sunday’s Grand Final, Cleary’s sunb has left some confused.

Panthers’ loose forward, Luke Garner, said to AAP: ‘It’s baffling. I don’t quite understand it.

‘I don’t know who votes and what it’s based on.

‘I don’t know how he has not won it the past four years in a row. Whenever you win the grand final and the coach doesn’t win it, it doesn’t make sense to me.’

After Penrith claimed their fourth-straight premiership in 2024, Cleary’s side struggled to rekindle their form of old with the Panthers going on a six-match losing streak following their Las Vegas season opener.

However, Cleary has spun things around for his side

On Sunday, Cleary affirmed that the Panthers were not out of their premiership dynasty.

When asked if his side’s premiership dynasty was over, Cleary stated: ‘What’s Over?’

‘I’d like to think there’s more in us. We are not going to win it this year, but we definitely showed a fair bit to fight back from a poor start.

‘That’s its own story, but doesn’t need to be told today. Probably some lessons in there, but ultimately just not quite good enough this year.

‘But I feel like we’ve got some real strides with some young guys this year and the core of our team is going to still be there next year, and hopefully they use this feeling, which we haven’t had for a while to spur us on into next year.’

While Cleary has missed out on a Daly M Nomination, Canterbury boss Cameron Ciraldo, Broncos chief Michael Maguire and Canberra coach Ricky Stuart are all in the running to win the coveted award.

‘When you think about it….its a bit ridiculous that during Penrith’s 4 year reign, Ivan Cleary has never been crowned the Dally M coach of the year,’ one X user said.

‘Ricky Stuart is the favourite, but the way Cleary has turned this season around, he deserves recognition.’