Ivan Cleary was reduced to tears in the pre-match meeting, such was his emotion ahead of the Panthers’ Grand Final win on Sunday.
Cleary revealed his level of emotion in the post-match press conference, telling media that he had cried to himself and then in front of the team in the build-up.
“It’s been an emotional 24 hours,” he said. “I got a bit emotional yesterday, I don’t even know why. I think it’s just because this moment in time, this team won’t stay together and it’s such a great opportunity and such an amazing season.
“I suppose I wanted it to go well on the biggest night and I couldn’t have asked for more, the boys were unbelievable.
“There were quiet moments on my own and a little bit in front of the boys. It just came over me, I don’t really know why. But I think it’s because we’ve done so well for so long, and you think anyone can win the big day and anyone can win any game. I just wanted today to go well.”
One of his charges, Spencer Leniu, said that it was a special moment for the team to see such a raw display of emotion from their coach.
“It was a funny one, I’ve never seen Ivan crying like that,” said Leniu. “To see him show his emotions in front of the boys was something special.
(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
“Being a male, it’s hard to express your emotions like that so to see our coach open up in front of the boys enables us to express our emotions as well.
“He’s built something really special and I’m sure everyone can see that, but there’s no other feeling like it. I’ve been here since 2019 and I felt the other side of bad culture, so to see him turn it around and lead us boys to two, back to back, that’s a credit to him and the staff that help him.”
Leniu is an emotional bloke himself: he had to be held back by Panthers staff after a high shot from Taane Milne last week that saw the Souths winger sent off and the forward in serious doubt for the Grand Final as a result of a concussion.
“I’m emotional,” he said. “I play with a lot of passion. Sometimes that emotion gets the better of me and last week, my initial frustration was that I thought I would miss out on this week.
“I was pretty nervous, the most nervous I’ve ever been before any game, especially with the decision about me playing in the Grand Final in someone else’s hands.
“I went to the independent doctor on Tuesday. They told me after the game (against Souths) that I was supposed to see them on Friday so I thought I’d get some preparation in. I was pretty nervous, but I’m here now and I’m feeling like a champion.
“Ahead of the Grand Final is the most nervous that I’ve been before a game, way more than the Rabbitohs game. Everything worked out and I’ve got another ring.”
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Leniu played like a man who thought he wasn’t going to get the chance: he managed 98m in just 20 minutes of action.
“The game is 80 minutes and I probably get 30 of that, so whenever I go on, I give it my all. I played like it was my last game,” said the Samoa international.
“I’m proud because there’s boys leaving us next year and that was such a motivation for us to play well. I’m happy we get to leave them on a good note.
“It feels so good. All the people doubting our motivation after last year, to prove all those people wrong is such a sweet thing.”
Tim J
Roar Rookie
:thumbup:
Rossi
Roar Rookie
I'm hoping the Dragons youngsters thinking of leaving for instant gratification look at these guys winning together and think "I want to stick it out and represent my area with my mates I've played with since we were kids"
Tim J
Roar Rookie
I meant the city itself which is not appealing, plus the cost of living is extreme. Wellington is a great city but the weather is not inviting with the winds driving in from Cook strait.
Danno
Roar Rookie
Your hometown never sucks , it’s just lack of opportunity like you said with rugby and All Blacks being the main gig
Tim J
Roar Rookie
The problem is the juniors turn to Union or the bigger prospects in Australia, the Warriors have not had the right processes in play to keep the younger players. Another reason is many have family in Australia which provides incentives to leave Auckland, plus Auckland sux as a city also.
Pickett
Roar Rookie
Especially the Worriers. They've been the sleeping giants for decades. They can double or triple what Penrith have done with their juniors. But these giants are still sleeping.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
I totally agree Dwayne, it has taken Penrith a few years for it to come to fruition but they looked at the long term. Other clubs should be looking at this and have a long term goal, put in processes from junior grade up.
Dwanye
Roar Rookie
It’d be good if every club got into it. It would be great if Penrith’s success lead to a big shift
Pickett
Roar Rookie
Great to see. Ivan, Edwards, Too, Yeo, Leota - champions and champion blokes.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
Gould has really worked hard to build the club through all levels, it was always going to take time but now the club are reaping the rewards. Ivan Cleary is doing what Alistair Clarkson did for Hawthorn except Cleary is a Penrith man. The Eel’s hopefully can look at what Penrith has done and build for the future, there is much to look forward to for you and all Eel’s supporters Danno.
Danno
Roar Rookie
Thanks Tim cheers for that , what ever was said in that pre match emotion meeting obviously went down well with the players because they blew parramatta off the park very early, well done to Penrith and their whole organisation , eels and all the rest can only learn from the panthers setup that Phil Gould started , I can see the bulldogs moving up ladder in next few years as well
Tim J
Roar Rookie
:thumbup: Thank you Danno :thumbup: It would be great for other coaches from different sports to show their human side, as you said it is a strength and it brings the players even closer to the coach/coaches. Your Eels are building with strength going forward after this great season, and Arthur needs to be given full credit.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
Well said and spot on north… :stoked: :thumbup:
Danno
Roar Rookie
Well done panthers Tim, I don’t think it’s a vulnerable side of Ivan I think it’s a strength , he’s a human being like the rest of us and not a machine or robot , panthers team are great and all other teams should get more juniors in their side like the panthers, because they truly represent the area and play out of their skin more than a side made up of players from different parts
up in the north
Roar Rookie
Maybe Ivan just gets the Pacific Island culture and knows how to get the best from his charges, he DID do well with the Warriors so it's probably not a shock. Understanding that family and relationships are central to community is pretty much likev footy club in a lot of ways.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
It is great in these times especially in the NRL for Ivan Cleary to show his vulnerable side to the team. Wether other supporters like him or not he has transformed the culture and structure to the team, the players are so closely tied together and that is obvious when on the field.