'Out of form': Panthers' NRL woes extend beyond the field

Penrith are under intense pressure to make drastic changes in a bid to resurrect their ailing season after their sixth consecutive loss.

Several of the biggest names in the game have piled on the Panthers, including South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett, who suggested star duo Nathan Cleary and James Maloney shouldn’t be picked for State of Origin.

The veteran coach said the pair were ‘terribly out of form’ when asked for his thoughts on origins selections following the Rabbitohs’ win over Canberra on Saturday.

League legend Gorden Tallis added further insult to injury during an appearance on Triple M’s The Sunday Footy Show.

Tallis said the junior Cleary should head back to the NSW Cup to regain form and confidence.

“I think his son needs a bit of time down in reserve grade to get his confidence back, but you can’t do that, and that is the big problem,” Tallis said.

“Because Nathan Cleary and Ivan are under so much pressure now and that’s what Ivan put his son under.

“Ivan’s the adult, he should never have gone there. He was a coach and he was getting money. He didn’t need to coach his son, he could coach his son at home.

“Sometimes just going away, playing park footy and find the love for the game again, stripping it all back (works).”

There was more salt to add to the wound, with journalist Paul Kent suggesting the club’s issues ran deeper than poor performances on the field.

The Daily Telegraph writer said there was tension within the playing group, as well as between Ivan Cleary and assistant Cameron Ciraldo.

“I hear that there’s factions among the playing group,” he said.

“I think there’s also a breakdown in the relationship since Gould went between Ciraldo and Cleary.”

Kent’s claims were backed up by former Penrith player and NSW Blues coach Brad Fittler.

The Origin coach said Nathan Cleary and Maloney would have little hope of finding form while such a split existed within the players.

“You can see that no one’s working together,” he said.

“When you look at the footy team you can tell no one is working together.

“Penrith need to get everything sorted and calm down and get everyone working together.”