Ivan Cleary knows the Penrith Panthers will be without their "on-field general" when the NRL season resumes but he's excited by the opportunity it creates for his team and his son.
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St John's junior Matt Burton is expected to be the one to benefit after Panthers and NSW halfback Nathan Cleary was handed a two-game ban on Tuesday.
The suspension came after Cleary was found to have lied to the NRL Integrity Unit following the breaking of isolation rules.
Both the halfback and his father, the Penrith coach, have spoken on the matter and accepted the punishment handed down.
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Burton is now likely to take over the number seven jersey when the season resumes later this month.
The former Western Rams star has played just the one NRL game but is highly regarded at the foot of the mountains and signed a contract upgrade late last year.
"I feel like it's not going to be a distraction for our team," Ivan Cleary told the Panthers' website.
"It's an opportunity for someone else to step up and for our team to work without the on-field general.
"That will happen from time-to-time and this is an opportunity for us to become a better all-round team and I'm looking forward to that."
Cleary's Panthers teammate Tyrone May was also handed a two-game suspension for the same reason.
Both have owned up to their mistakes with the 22-year-old halfback stating he was embarrassed by the whole ordeal but apologised to the club and all involved.
"I have brought a lot of negative attention to not only myself, but my family, the club, the game as well. That is probably what has hurt me the most," he told the club's official website.
While admitting it was a mistake, Ivan Cleary was glad to see his son own up to it.
Not only as a father, but because it's the kind of values he's been working to instill in all his players at the Panthers.
A focus has been put on support, something which is to be a huge benefit for Burton should he take the pressure of the number seven jersey later this month.
Twenty-year-old Burton showed a huge amount of promise in his debut against the Sharks last August and is now set to partner Jarome Luai in an inexperienced halves pairing.
"Something we try and develop is to try and draw on a little vulnerability from time to time," the coach said.
"We can support each other and get better as a club and have something our fans can be really proud of.
"That's not going to come in a straight line. There's going to be plenty of bumps with it but our purpose, certainly, is no different and we're confident it will continue in the right direction."
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Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
