cochise
Well-known member
@magpies1963 said in [THE CHANT](/post/1382555) said:@cochise said in [THE CHANT](/post/1382402) said:@tiger5150 said in [THE CHANT](/post/1382396) said:@cochise said in [THE CHANT](/post/1382357) said:@jadtiger said in [THE CHANT](/post/1382354) said:@lauren said in [THE CHANT](/post/1382340) said:https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/let-them-have-their-five-seconds-of-fame-panthers-boss-fires-back-at-bitter-tigers-fans-20210605-p57yds.html
SportNRLNRL 2021
‘Let them have their five seconds of fame’: Panthers boss fires back at bitter Tigers fans
By Christian Nicolussi
June 5, 2021 — 6.02pm
Panthers chairman Dave O’Neill says the Wests Tigers fans who turned on coach Ivan Cleary at Leichhardt Oval on Friday night can “enjoy their five seconds of fame” and that the competition leaders had “bigger fish to fry.”
A large group of Tigers supporters in the main grandstand let Cleary know their feelings late in the game as Penrith slumped to a 26-6 defeat, the competition leader’s first loss of the season and first in 28 regular-season NRL games.
While there was plenty of tension on the field, there was just as much animosity in the stands as Cleary and the players were on the end of verbal barbs for most of the night.
The Sun-Herald can reveal one Panthers official approached security and police at half-time as one Tigers fans savaged Rob Jennings as he left the field.
Penrith’s Origin contingent, who were seated near the sideline, were also relentlessly hounded, particularly Nathan Cleary with jibes about his father.
Cleary snr walked out on the Tigers at the end of 2018 to return to Penrith for the chance to coach his son and the young group of players he had helped nurture at the foot of the mountains.
He smiled after the game, claiming he had not noticed the one-fingered salutes or heard the verbal attacks from the section of fans seated in front of him. Supporters also blew kisses at the coach, something Cleary had done to Tigers fans after the Panthers beat them last year in a spiteful clash at Bankwest Stadium.
Things got heated on and off the field at Leichhardt Oval on Friday night.
Things got heated on and off the field at Leichhardt Oval on Friday night. GETTY
While Cleary claimed to be unfazed, Panthers chairman O’Neill, the man responsible for luring him back to the foot of the mountains, was not impressed with some of the over-the-top behaviour.
“Obviously those fans have got long memories,” O’Neill said. “If that’s the best some of those Tigers supporters have got, let them have their five seconds of fame.
“They’re passionate fans and their team got a win. They pay their money and are entitled to their opinions.
Wests Tigers fans let former coach Ivan Cleary know who won on Friday night. FOX SPORTS
“I was proud of our boys and I’ll worry about our club. We tried hard and we’re now starting to prepare for Cronulla next Friday.
“We’ve got bigger fish to fry rather than worrying about a bit of carry-on with a section of the Leichhardt crowd.”
Wests Tigers officials said the club was comfortable the fans had not crossed the line, but did not wish to comment further.
The action was just as feisty on the field, with the match review committee on Saturday charging four players from the game, but none of them will be suspended. Moses Mbye was charged with contrary conduct for standing on the calf of Stephen Crichton as he tried to play the ball in the first half.
Crichton also found himself being patted on the head and dragged towards the Tigers huddle when they scored the final try of the night, which was a cheeky gesture Crichton had done himself against Canberra and Joe Tapine earlier this year.
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When asked if he had that Raiders game in mind when he patted Crichton on the head, Adam Doueihi said: “Please, there’s no story in that. I don’t play those games. It was just a bit of fun. It was a good battle.”
Penrith were missing seven Origin players as well as suspended prop Moses Leota. The Tigers are now chasing a third straight win, something they have not achieved since early 2018 – when Cleary was in charge – against Parramatta next Sunday.
Meanwhile, Tim Sheens, the man who guided Wests Tigers to their only premiership in 2005, will return to the club as the head of football performance, a newly created role designed to assist in development, recruitment and football administration.
The Leichhardt crowd achieved their job in rattling the penriff heirachy.Well done to all concerned.Now where is that steamroller?
I honestly don't believe they responded to it, best to ignore it.
I think Ivan could have handled it better. If i was him, and I was expecting him to do this, I would have said...Look I blew them all a kiss last time, fair play this time, every pantomime needs a villain.
That would have taken a lot of steam out of it. I actually get the impression that Cleary has no self awareness, has no idea why we are pissed with him and thinks we are all crazy.
Agreed mate, even worse is the fact their chairman spoke to the papers about it, shows they spoke about it post game lol. The Panther players were rattled on the field by the niggle last night. Their Chairman just proved the officials and coaches were too.
I expect to see some teams go after them moving forward.
Hey Cochise : what about you organize a group of the sicest blokes/girls from the forum to go to every Pen-Riff-Raff game to do 'The Chant' as it'll be sure to put em of.
At the end of the game just take a hat around to the supporters against the Pen-Riff-Raff for donations to cover the cost of tickets and a few beers.
The Pom's have got the Barmy Army...we could have the Wests Tigers Tormentors :facepunch: :grin: .
lol Great idea mate.
