New Zealand Warriors coach Ivan Cleary sat on the sidelines near fulltime, knowing the dream was finally over for season 2008. Yet when you observed the 30 year old mentor, one can understand why he has become a man the Warriors enjoy playing under.

The Manly Sea Eagles ended the feel good story of the year, defeating the Warriors 32-6 in the preliminary final on Saturday night. Cleary had just witnessed the boys from Brookvale finish off a side that beat premiership favourites Melbourne at Olympic Park in the first week of the finals.

Despite the heavy loss, Cleary was calm. He was far from disappointed.

Deep down he knew it was a job well done. His team managed to salvage something wonderful out of a season that was looking on the verge of collapse ten or so weeks ago.

From there, the Warriors managed to win ten from their twelve remaining matches to snatch the eighth and final position in the NRL finals.

And although that was an achievement in itself, Cleary believed his team of unheralded players could maintain the momentum.

And so they did.

For three special weeks, Cleary witnessed the rise and birth of a new Warriors side. A side that could now play for the full eighty minutes. A side that could defend their own tryline under immense pressure from opposition.

It was the golden three weeks that Cleary will no doubt use as a foundation for Rugby League success across the Tasman.

Although the departure of Kiwi legend Ruben Wiki had a lot to do with it, Cleary was also one of the key men in transforming the Warriors from an offloading franchise, to a footy team that can now claim to be among the best in the NRL.

Indeed Cleary himself knows what its like to succeed.

The former centre turned fullback, played for four clubs, enjoying most of his career down at the Sydney Roosters and the Warriors.

It was at the Roosters during 1998 that Cleary scored 284 competition points, breaking the then competition record set by Mick Cronin in 1978.

This mark has been subsequently surpassed three times by current Bulldogs winger Hazem El Masri, but stands as the most ever points scored by a centre in a single NRL season.

Cleary then moved to the Warriors in 2000, eventually guiding them to their maiden Grand Final in 2002, where he ironically lost to the Roosters.

This would be his last game of Rugby League before retiring.

After serving as an assistant coach to Tony Kemp for the New Zealand national squad, Cleary would coach the Roosters premier league side before being appointed head coach of the Warriors before 2006.

After just three years at the helm, Cleary has met the demands of being a mentor to men who are not much younger in years than he is.

It just shows that one does not have to be a Wayne Bennett or Brian Smith to gain respect and succeed.

Because when a man with Cleary’s personality takes on a coaching role, one can not help but feel calm and collected about the future ahead.

A future for the Warriors now filled with opportunity and belief.

Enjoy sports? Enjoy a bargain? All Sports Online has your favourite sporting brands at up to 70% off. Online only, premium quality sporting goods and merchandise at discounted prices. Get a deal now.