Ivan Cleary announced what all Penrith supporters wanted to hear after the character-filled 24-14 NRL win over the Dolphins.
"He will be right next week," coach Cleary said of his son and champion playmaker Nathan Cleary.
Nathan was on track to play against the Dolphins in Redcliffe on Sunday but an extra week of recovery and training will do wonders for his injured hamstring.
The Panthers got the job done without him.
Top of the table Penrith host Canterbury on Sunday.
"We always slated this week for (Nathan's) return but it was probably affected a bit by the bye last week where everybody was off," Ivan Cleary said.
"This week he actually did a lot of team training, probably a bit too much, so we decided it wasn't worth the risk. Next week he goes into a full week with no doubts about it, so that will be good."
The Panthers are on 30 competition points and in a wonderful position with seven rounds remaining for a tilt at a premiership three-peat. Parramatta were the last to achieve the feat, from 1981-83.
Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett said the Panthers had done "a lot of wonderful things in the last three years" and there was "no reason why" they couldn't make it three in a row.
"There's a few teams out there that are good and they are one of them," Bennett said.
Ivan Cleary rested his NSW quartet of Isaah Yeo, Brian To'o, Stephen Crichton and Liam Martin against the Dolphins. They are all fresh and will be ready to play the Bulldogs. Nathan Cleary has not played since round 14.
Ivan Cleary said he was "stoked" to win five games from six during the extended Origin period.
"It is like phase two of our season when Origin starts. It is the third year we've been doing it where we've had a lot of players in there, so that affects a lot of things in and around preparation and training," he said.
Now, Cleary said they could "hopefully" get phase three right in the run towards another grand final.
"You do get sort of used to it but it is always difficult. The challenges vary," he said.
"Our Origin boys are all pretty healthy. Hopefully they are enjoying sitting back watching the (Dolphins) game from wherever they are.
"Getting Nathan back next week is going to be a plus for us. We have got three home games in a row so we are looking forward to getting back to our little community in Penrith. I just can't wait to get back into it."
