Cleary almost single-handedly breathed life into the Panthers' concerning start to the season season with two sweet strikes from his right foot on Friday.

The first was a clutch sideline conversion after fulltime to force golden point, before nailing a 40-metre one-pointer to claim a thrilling 9-8 victory.

It was a stunning ending to a week where all of the discussion centred around his dad and coach facing his former club for the first time since walking out on them.

"I've thought about it in my head the whole week. I've struggled to sleep this week thinking how the game was going to end," Nathan said.

"I thought the field goal over in my head before. You couldn't write it. It's crazy how it ends up. I was just lucky I got it."

Cleary's heroics saved the Panthers from what appeared to be a third loss in four attempts, including a try-scoring drought that almost lasted 200 minutes.

Dylan Edwards' 79th-minute try that gave Cleary a shot at goal was the Panthers' first four-pointer since Isaah Yeo crossed against Newcastle in round two.

When asked about the emotion of watching his son pilot the game-winner given the hype around the clash, Ivan said: "What do you think?

"I was pretty stoked. That doesn't happen every day, and it obviously added to all the theatre of the whole week and the whole build-up that everyone drove.

"You've just got to find a way to win sometimes and we did that tonight."

Cleary junior was relieved to end what was a pressure-filled week with the win, and paid tribute to the Panthers' fanbase and teammate Dallin Watene-Zelezniak.

Watene-Zelezniak was moved to fullback moments before halftime after another poor showing from Edwards that included three first-half errors.

"It's a massive relief. It means a lot, obviously with a lot of media around this week. We don't want to make it about us, especially myself and dad," he said.

"There were a lot bigger things to play for tonight.

"Dal's 100th, it's a massive achievement, club junior. And also our home fans. As special as it is for me and dad, it's for the whole team, it's the fans as well."

Australian Associated Press