Penrith coach Ivan Cleary claims his side have learned to stand up for themselves as they aim to go one step better than last year’s grand final loss.
Cleary on Wednesday shot down suggestions his youngsters had become cocky, confident Stephen Crichton’s contrary conduct fine was a one-off.
But what the Panthers have no doubt about is that teams are targeting them more and they want to hold their own.
They were blown out of the water in last year’s grand final by Melbourne, where there is a feeling at Penrith they had been worked over off the ball by the Storm.
It’s been noticeable that the Panthers are this year happy to return serve, with more mongrel evident in their game.
“We definitely want that. Because if you don’t then teams will keep niggling,” Cleary said.
“That’s just competitive combat, I guess.
“We’ve been reasonably successful so what comes with that is we get a little bit niggle toward our boys.
“At the moment our boys are combating that however they can.
“I mentioned the other day that the difference between this year and last year is that boys do have more belief and I guess that’s just part of that.”
Cleary also believes his team has grown more experienced at how to better handle situations.
“Our boys are themselves and they play, how they play and it’s just evolving all the time,” Cleary said.
“We certainly started last year as underdogs and played on that a little bit.
“As the year progressed last year that turned and this year is totally different for us.
“Each week is a new contest and the opposition will have a different strategy and we’re just dealing with that as best we can.”
Cleary meanwhile also played down any suggestion the side’s success had gone to their head before Thursday night’s clash with Brisbane.
Crichton drew the ire of critics for hugging Canberra’s Joseph Tapine in a try celebration late in last week’s win over the Raiders, sparking a melee.
The Raiders were also hit with a proposed $10,000 fine from the NRL on Tuesday night, when a trainer briefly became involved as the scuffle ensued.
“There was one incident where I could see and that was dealt with, which is fine,” Cleary said.
“I’m always on the look out to make sure we’re behaving the right way and all that kind of stuff. But I’m not too worried about.
“I would back our team to be respectful as much as any anyone in the game.
“Obviously they’re young and in the heat of battle they might do things that they might learn from. That’s what it’s all about.”
Big Mig
Roar Rookie
Maybe the video footage of “Ivan blowing kisses to a Tiger’s fan” would be more of a believable response from Ivan on this matter.
The Swan Street Stalker
Guest
You must be referencing that little fracas that happened about 12 seconds after said Dogs player was pulling hair? I hope you don’t own horses either because if that was haymaker they’re not getting much feed.
Paul
Roar Guru
I'm not sure Hook needs to do anything about Dufty. If Dufty doesn't clean up the mistakes you mentioned, both the opposition and his team mates will soon let him know he's being a complete goose with his carry on.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
What’s Hook doing about Dufty, no bigger spiller of in goal kicks, applauding opponents in their face, when they have that misfortune . And he’s wondering why no clubs are calling him for next year.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Exactly, other than a couple of hours after this grab and giggle when Munster tried humiliating a Dog forward with a head pat try celebration starting a genuine rush of blood culminating in that pillar of empathy Nelson throwing haymakers at whoever and whatever. People really have skewered takes on this.
Kent Dorfman
Roar Rookie
what a crock. Typical youth of today where they show no respect & the coach doesn't put them in their place. Wouldn't see that act by them Mexicans (you know - in the state south of NSW), Bellyache'd tear them a new one
Spartacus
Roar Rookie
The Bunnies will. :thumbup:
Spartacus
Roar Rookie
"we get a little bit niggle toward our boys" Ivan is kidding himself. Remove the blinkers Ivan. From what I could see the niggle was oneway traffic from the Panthers to the Raiders. I counted at least 3 separate instances that the Panthers went out of their way to niggle, showboat and provoke the Raiders. The worst of which was Stephen Crichton dragging an unwilling Joseph Tapine into a Panthers celebratory huddle where he was mocked and had to face a wall of Cheshire Cat-like grins like the wall of mirrors at Luna Park. Time to cut out the rubbish and the niggle Panthers or #BringBackTheBiff to sort that kind of punk behaviour out.
Rob
Guest
Who would of thought that having an arrogant coach would mean that the playing group would also come across as arrogant? Seriously though if other teams don't like it, beat them. That is the best way to shut them up.
Emcie
Roar Guru
A few years back? I would'a been around 5 at the time....
Paul
Roar Guru
It's all about perceptions and if the media & public think the Panthers are arrogant, Cleary can say what he likes, he's not going to be believed by the majority. Actions rather than words, Ivan.
Kerry Hanson
Guest
I recall Brisbane players singing a particular song to St George supporters a few years back . How the worm has turned.
no one in particular
Roar Guru
If you want to shut them up then beat them
andrew
Roar Rookie
If anything i would have thought that losing the GF last year would have brought a few of these big heads back down a peg or 2. You can't deny it Ivan, some of your players have such swollen heads they wouldn't know a train was up them unless the bell rang.
Emcie
Roar Guru
"We're not a-holes, we're just assertive"