Cleary takes a very different approach after run-in with Bennett

Panthers players have seen a change in coach Ivan Cleary this week compared to last year’s grand final build-up after he declared he would be “staying in the background” ahead of the premiership decider.

In the week before last year’s grand final, Cleary was more than happy to facilitate interviews with his players, answer calls from journalists and have his say on a number of issues. This year, he’s taken a very different approach.

Informing journalists he will not be taking calls this week, Cleary’s closed-door attitude has made for a “smoother” lead-up to the grand final, say senior players.

Son and skipper Nathan, in particular, has noticed the difference.

“It’s what he does best; he works well with the group behind closed doors,” Nathan said. “He’s got that personality anyway. He doesn’t want to be on the front pages and in the media too much.”

The change is likely the result of Ivan’s run-in with Wayne Bennett in the lead-up to and aftermath of his side’s semi-final clash against the Rabbitohs.

The two coaches engaged in a war of words in the lead-up to the Rabbitohs 16-10 defeat of Cleary’s side after it was revealed Bennett had contacted the NRL to express his concerns about what he felt were illegal tactics used by the Panthers.

When asked after their preliminary final win over the Storm about whether he would be resuming hostilities with Bennett, Cleary said he would not be going up against the master coach again.

Panthers coach Ivan Cleary.Credit:Getty

“Wayne’s the best coach probably of all time, certainly in my memory,” Cleary said in his post-match press conference on Saturday. “I’ll be doing what I’m good at and staying in the background this week.”

Panthers hooker Api Koroisau said the finals series had been very different to last year.

“Everything that’s been happening so far has been working really well,” Koroisau said. “It’s really smooth. He’s doing a great job. It possibly could lead to a different result.

“We learnt a lot of lessons from that game last year, so we will be way more ready than we were.”

After last year’s 26-20 grand final loss to the Storm, Cleary delivered a rousing speech to the players in the sheds with winger Brian To’o believing the group has carried the message, which was about resilience, though this season.

“[The speech was] just to ensure we worked hard next year and everything happens for a reason,” To’o said.

“Coach is a very generous man. He’s just trying to keep the boys positive with everything, even when things go wrong. He’s forever staying positive. He knows how we all feel when things go wrong and just is very composed and keeps us smiling.”

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