Griffin's sacking paves the way for Cleary connection at Panthers
Andrew Webster6 August 2018 — 9:28pm
Penrith’s decision to sack coach Anthony Griffin just four weeks out from the finals, with the side sitting on the edge of the top four, has stunned everyone except those within the four walls of the club.
Griffin had lost the faith of some of the players by the end of last year, lost more in the grind of this season, and then lost the Panthers board following the 50-18 loss to Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium three weeks ago.
Decisions, decisions: Nathan and Ivan Cleary appear likely to link up at club level – at some point.
Decisions, decisions: Nathan and Ivan Cleary appear likely to link up at club level – at some point.
Photo: NRL Photos
He’d lost the faith of Panthers general manager of football, Phil Gould, long before that. Gould told Griffin on Monday morning his contract was being torn up, ending three days of tense negotiations involving Griffin’s manager Wayne Beavis, who is also close to Gould.
But the most intriguing twist is yet to come: who replaces Griffin and, most importantly, what does it mean when it comes to re-signing star halfback Nathan Cleary? The answer might be his father, Ivan Cleary, coach of the Wests Tigers.
Well before the Panthers released their statement confirming Griffin’s departure, speculation had already cranked up about the club making a bold bid for the coach Gould sacked at the end of 2015 with one season remaining on his contract … to make way for Griffin.
As this column understands it, an announcement on Penrith’s new coach could be made within days if the delicate pieces of the puzzle fall into place.
Ivan isn’t off contract with the Tigers until the end of 2020\. Nathan is off contract at the Panthers at the end of next season.
Both father and son have been making plenty of noises in recent weeks about being at the same club in the near future.
The Roosters were tossed up as a possible home. Then the Broncos. Tigers fans had every right to think it would be their club. Ivan only arrived there last year.
Privately, though, Tigers management has been cautious. It knows that Ivan is close to Panthers chairman David O’Neill, just like Nathan is close to his Penrith teammates.
Gone: Panthers coach Anthony Griffin has been sacked a month out from the NRL finals.
Gone: Panthers coach Anthony Griffin has been sacked a month out from the NRL finals.
Photo: AAP
Meanwhile, the worst kept secret in the game about the poisonous situation at Penrith has finally been confirmed, despite director Greg Alexander declaring only last month: “There’s absolutely no chance that Anthony Griffin will be leaving Penrith at least before his current contract expires.”
Griffin didn’t even make it to the end of the season.
Panthers chief executive Brian Fletcher said in a statement: “There has been much speculation and rumours about the club and head coach Anthony Griffin over the last few weeks. After discussions with Anthony Griffin it is time to end that speculation. By mutual agreement, the club and Anthony have agreed to part ways, effective immediately.”
Speculation and rumours confirmed!
It is also set to cost Penrith heavily. Griffin was only re-signed in October last year on a deal believed to be worth $800,000 per season. That’s a $1.6 million payout for the final two years of his contract.
While the board might have lost faith in the coach, there’s no doubt the fractured relationship between Griffin and Gould has cost him his job. There was only ever going to be one winner in that battle, although Gould is said to be worn down by events of the past few months, having tried to help Griffin regain the faith of the players and his own coaching staff.
You sense, though, this was always going to end in tears.
United? Ivan Cleary and his son Nathan has spoken about their desire to join forces, but where?
United? Ivan Cleary and his son Nathan has spoken about their desire to join forces, but where?
Photo: James Alcock
During last year’s World Cup, Panthers players scattered to their respective countries and some whinged to their teammates about their dissatisfaction with Griffin. The gossip quickly spread.
Despite this, Gould was adamant his coach wasn’t under threat, believing much of the criticism was being levelled at him by old foes in the media.
With problem children like Matt Moylan and Bryce Cartwright squeezed out, Griffin was supposedly in charge of a happy team again.
When Penrith flogged competition leaders St George Illawarra on the eve of the State of Origin series, they suddenly became premiership favourites in a season in which there have been five premiership favourites.
Since Origin, and despite their place on the ladder, Penrith have looked shaky. In the last month, they have conceded 129 points in defence: a 24-12 loss to the Sharks; a 50-18 loss to the Broncos; a 28-14 win over Manly after trailing by 18 points with 13 minutes remaining; and then Sunday’s 40-31 win against Canberra.
Decision time: Phil Gould, Penrith's general manager of football, arrives for an event at Alpha restaurant on Monday night.
Decision time: Phil Gould, Penrith's general manager of football, arrives for an event at Alpha restaurant on Monday night.
Photo: James Brickwood
Nail-biting wins over inferior opposition has only disguised the problems with their football team. They missed 29 tackles against the Raiders.
Indeed, Griffin could’ve been sacked earlier but problematic for Gould has been finding a suitable replacement. Michael Maguire? Wayne Bennett? Des Hasler?
Griffin’s assistant, Cameron Ciraldo, will be the caretaker coach for the rest of the season but is considered a year or so away from being an NRL coach.
Gould unleashed on Twitter last week about rumours he had signed Manly coach Trent Barrett and John Cartwright. Both parties are adamant they have not spoken to each other.
If Penrith doesn’t pull off the coaching coup of the decade and entice Ivan Cleary back to the club that only sacked him three years ago, they might have to have a conversation.
