Penrith Panthers co-captain Nathan Cleary leaves League Club the morning after NRL grand final win

Penrith Panthers co-captain Nathan Cleary has been spotted on his way home from NRL grand final celebrations wearing ski goggles with KFC wipes stuck to the front.

Cleary had spent the night partying after the Panthers’ NRL grand final triumph against the Parramatta Eels on Sunday night.

The win marks Penrith’s second consecutive premiership, defeating their fellow western-Sydney team 28-12.

Cleary was seen leaving Penrith Leagues Club shirtless early Monday morning ahead of Mad Monday events.

When asked how it felt to celebrate the win with his father, Panthers coach Ivan Cleary, he said: ‘It makes it a little bit more special, but in saying that, it’s more about the group.’

The Penrith Panthers celebrated their second consecutive grand final win on Sunday

The Penrith Panthers celebrated their second consecutive premiership win on Sunday night (left, co-captain Nathan Cleary during the game, right, Panthers celebrating)

Penrith Panthers co-captain Nathan Cleary (above) emerged shirtless with KFC goggles from the Panthers League Club on Monday morning after NRL grand final win

Penrith Panthers co-captain Nathan Cleary (above) emerged shirtless with KFC goggles from the Panthers League Club on Monday morning after NRL grand final win

‘Just very blessed.’

He added he was ‘going home for an hour’s sleep’ before the club’s fan day.

‘Looking forward to it. That’s why I’m going home for an hour’s sleep. I will enjoy it more,’ he said.

‘I think it’s cool Para, and Penrith were able to present in a grand final, Western Sydney, you know, through and through. It’s never happened before. They’re both footy crazy. It’s pretty cool.

‘This is what you work hard for. At the start of the year, you have the goal to try to get to this stage just to compete for the final, and you know we did that this year.

‘We were lucky enough to win it. We’ve done it for the last three years. We lost one, won two. I definitely know what I prefer more.

The Penrith Panthers won 28-12 against the Parramatta Eels in Sunday's NRL grand final match

The Penrith Panthers won 28-12 against the Parramatta Eels in Sunday’s NRL grand final match

Fans joined the grand final celebrations at the Penrith Panthers League Club on Sunday night

Fans' premiership celebrations continued well into the night

Fans joined the grand final celebrations at the Penrith Panthers League Club on Sunday night

Penrith Panthers players celebrated their premiership victory at the team's League Club into Monday morning

Penrith Panthers players celebrated their premiership victory at the team’s League Club into Monday morning

‘I just want to say massive thank you to the fans. Couldn’t do it without you guys. Thank you for all the support.’

Cleary joked that he managed to avoid damaging this year’s grand final trophy because: ‘I don’t want the fines’.

His teammates shared clips and photos of their wild victory night online.

Apisai Koroisauwas pictured showing off premiership rings before being brutally shut down for his plans to leave the team in 2023.

‘You won’t win them at the Tigers,’ his teammate joked.

Viliame Kikau will also be leaving the team next year alongside assistant coaches Andrew Webster and Cameron Ciraldo.

Sunday night's grand final win for the Panthers marks their second consecutive premiership win (pictured, teammates Charlie Staines and Brian To'o hugging after the game)

Sunday night’s grand final win for the Panthers marks their second consecutive premiership win (pictured, teammates Charlie Staines and Brian To’o hugging after the game)

Panther's co-captain Nathan Cleary (pictured centre left with Issah Yeo) said it was a 'blessing' to be on the winning team

Panther’s co-captain Nathan Cleary (pictured centre left with Issah Yeo) said it was a ‘blessing’ to be on the winning team

Panthers fans celebrated the win at the team's League Club

The Panthers match, held on home turf, saw dedicated fans turn up and show support

Panthers’ dedicated fans celebrated their team’s second consecutive win with the grand final match held on home turf

Coach Ivan Cleary said the team members would be missed next season.

‘It’s hard to put it into words. It’s definitely been an emotional 24 hours, I got a bit emotional yesterday. I don’t even know why,’ Cleary told the Sydney Morning Herald.

‘I think it’s because of this moment in time. This team won’t stay together, it’s just such a great opportunity. You just want it to go well on the big night and I couldn’t have asked for anything more, the boys were unbelievable.

‘It’s very sad that players and coaching staff won’t be together again.’

UFC star Bam Bam Tuivasa joined in on the fun and was recorded doing a shoey with the team following the match.

Five-eighth Jarome Luai posed for a photo with the trophy while smoking a cigar.

Panthers teammates shared photos and videos of their wild night on social media (pictured, Jarome Luai smoking a cigar with the grand final trophy)

Panthers teammates shared photos and videos of their wild night on social media (pictured, Jarome Luai smoking a cigar with the grand final trophy)

Panthers Chairman Matt Cameron said the win was extra special because it was on home turf (pictured, Jarome Luia and teammates celebrating)

Panthers Chairman Matt Cameron said the win was extra special because it was on home turf (pictured, Jarome Luia and teammates celebrating)

Panthers Chairman Matt Cameron said celebrations continued well into Monday morning, with the team finally able to celebrate a premiership on their home turf.

‘The boys came back last night and had a function. They’re still upstairs somewhere. We’re across the road at the stadium. It’s going to be a good day,’ he told Today.

‘Obviously in 2020 we did it with reduced capacities at the ground and at the leagues club in 2021 they were in Brisbane.

‘The community didn’t get to celebrate it the way they wanted to. Last night was a great opportunity. You have heard Ivan speak before, we pride ourselves on the club being a source of community pride. I think we were able to tick that box last night.’

Coach Ivan Cleary said team members Apisai Koroisauwas, Viliame Kikau, Andrew Webster and Cameron Ciraldo will be missed next season (pictured, Apisai Koroisauwas and Ivan Cleary hugging after the match)

Coach Ivan Cleary said team members Apisai Koroisauwas, Viliame Kikau, Andrew Webster and Cameron Ciraldo will be missed next season (pictured, Apisai Koroisauwas and Ivan Cleary hugging after the match)

Sunday night's win marked the Panthers second consecutive premiership win with teammates excited to celebrate the victory on their home turf

Sunday night’s win marked the Panthers second consecutive premiership win with teammates excited to celebrate the victory on their home turf

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