While Penrith's playing list are no doubt nursing a set of heinous hangovers, the Panthers' CEO Brian Fletcher has publicly stated that the club were wrong to have sacked premiership winning coach Ivan Cleary six years ago.
Speaking exclusively to The Sydney Morning Herald, Fletcher explained that as is human nature, the side from the foot of the Blue Mountains had been far too reactive during the 2015 season when Cleary was dumped in favour of Anthony Griffin.
โEverybody makes mistakes. We made a mistake by getting rid of him in the first place,โ the Penrith boss said.
Though willing to admit the mistake, Fletcher also proved happy to pay credit to those that cleaned up the mess made during Phil Gould presiding era.
โAt least we were smart enough under Daveโs [chairman Dave OโNeill] leadership, and Dave was the main instigator suggesting to the board that we get him back," he continued.
"Itโs just magical. Iโm sure we wouldnโt be in the position we are in today if it wasnโt for Ivan.
โNobody was ever worried when we signed him. He knew what he was doing. He had a plan. He just had to assemble the right team and the right culture. Thatโs what heโs done.โ
According toย The Herald'sย Michael Chammas, Cleary's guidance from the coaches box that saw his charges climb the code's summit this season will be enough to see his contract extended until the end of 2023.
However, in the eyes of Fletcher, the deal placed in front of the 50-year-old who has held previous posts with the Warriors and Wests should cover a far longer span of time.
โI canโt ever see Ivan Cleary leaving the place,โ Fletcher said.
โThe juniors are going to keep coming through, and we have one of the best coaches. With that development pathway, itโs not as if our players are going to deteriorate. So where are you going to find a better coach than Ivan?
โHeโs here for as long as he wants to be here. Iโve never heard the board say anything differently. They love him. All the players love him. You can see how much this place means to him and how much he means to the people in it. I canโt see him leaving.โ
Though Cleary had reportedly been reticent towards the media ahead of last Sunday's decider, the man that signs the coach's cheques went in to bat for the man who delivered the Provan-Summons trophy back to the club for the first time since 2003.
โThat showed me he had his eye on the ball,โ Fletcher said.
โHe learnt from that last year. The press donโt pay his wages, we do. He realises that.
"Youโve got to do your normal standard stuff under the NRL rules ... he does all that. But heโs probably learnt that you can easily be distracted. As it turns out, whatever he did was perfect."
Fletcher also championed Cleary's quality as a human being by highlighting just how far the former Sea Eagle, Bear, Rooster and Warrior would go to make sure those around him were in good health.
โAnybody whoย gives a kidney to their brother, if they are doing that you are on top of the tree when it comes to the standard of a human being. Heโs one hell of a good guy," he revealed.
"I couldnโt believe a person would be so charitable, risking his own life for his brother.
โHe does so many charitable things that nobody sees. Heโs not there for the press to write up about him. The only press he gets is bad press, but if you followed him around for a week youโd be writing a completely different story. He has no ego.โ
With the announcement in June of this year that the Panthers would receive in the vicinity of $200 million to construct a new stadium, Fletcher claimed that when Penrith would play their first game at the venue , the side would do so in the shadows of family honours.
โOne side will be the Nathan Cleary stand, the other side Ivan,โ Fletcher told Chammas with his tongue firmly in cheek.
Though funding has been secured for a new home, the Panthers' new digs on the same plot of land as BlueBet Stadium is unlikely to be set for opening until 2025 - a timeline that will necessitate the 2021 premiers play at least two seasons away from their heartland.
