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Ivan Cleary doesn’t believe he owes any apologies but admits he’d like to change the way he left West Tigers.
The Penrith coach will face his former team for the first time since sensationally walking away to return to the Panthers when the two sides meet in a potentially fiery NRL clash on Friday night.
While he has previously spoken about the reasons for going back to the Panthers, Cleary on Thursday opened up for the first time about the ugly end at Concord. I’d like to change the way it happened but, under the circumstances, I was open and honest about it and did the best I could," Cleary said.
"The fact that we’ve been talking about it for six months, and it was dragged through the press for so long, that’d be the first thing I’d change.
“But sometimes you’ve just got to get with the circumstances as they were and it was just one of those situations.”
Cleary’s move to Penrith still leaves a bitter taste in the mouths of some Tigers supporters, who embraced his rebuild at the club when he took over in 2017.
But the 48-year-old insisted he doesn’t owe them an apology. Because as I said, I was open and honest to everyone who needed to know. Circumstances at the time didn’t allow me to speak publicly about it," Cleary said.
That was just more for the protection of everyone involved. I don’t really owe anyone an apology, I don’t think. But if they’re unhappy, I respect that as well."
Nor does he think his relationships with Tigers players have soured, even though a number, some of whom moved to the club to play under him, have spoken about their unhappiness at his exit.
“I think I’ve got a good relationship with those boys. That’s just normal. Rugby league people and the game moves on really quickly,” Cleary said.
“All my interactions with them since has been positive.”
It’s why, even though he doesn’t intend to, Cleary said he would have no reservations about walking into the opposition dressing room after the game on Friday.
“I’ve never been one for doing that too much. If you lose, you don’t really feel like it and if you win, you don’t want to gloat,” he said.
"But I’ve got no problem with anyone at the Tigers.
“I don’t think they have with me, either.”
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Yesterday’s news, who cares ?
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I’d prefer to change the way he arrived, preferably to it not occurring at all. He is a myth with a poor strike rate and somehow is still seen as a gun coach.
I would be happy to take Gould in a management role. Would almost guarantee funding and bring forward some of the long term plans (except a 5 year plan to win a comp).
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Do you get the feeling that Cleary is attempting to get many of the players involved so angered they are off their games and solely wanting to hurt Cleary and less wanting to hurt him on the scoreboard where it will count
Those words are fighting words ……I don’t owe any one an apology
Give me a chance in Brisbane Iv and I’ll beat one out of you
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Any mention of the fans? You know, the thousands of people that ensure you live like a king Ivan. Every think of apologising to them?
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Me. I care a lot.
Fire up -
Do you get the feeling that Cleary is attempting to get many of the players involved so angered they are off their games and solely wanting to hurt Cleary and less wanting to hurt him on the scoreboard where it will count
Those words are fighting words ……I don’t owe any one an apology
Give me a chance in Brisbane Iv and I’ll beat one out of you
Happy Tiger? You may need to change your name. Fire up!!
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" Open and honest ". Ought to go in to politics. He can now add liar to his resume.
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May the fleas from 1000 camels infest Ivan’s underwear.
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It’s all media hype. If I was sports journo, I’d be pumping this story too. Ivan probably couldn’t care less, Gus is on the out and Ivan is worth some serious $$$.
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I hope Maguire has worked out Penrith are scared and trying to use the media to put us off our game. They are coming to get us, no time for revenge. get focused and stick to the game plan boys.
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The media is milking this story for all it’s worth. I hope all their hype ends up falling flat and we just end up with a good, entertaining game of great footy without any resentment or fireworks and a comfortable win to us of course
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Ivan’s putting a big effort into PR spin this week. Fire up boys but stick to the game plan.
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“Unfortunately the Panther Players were unable to attend tonight due to being in lock down which is out of our control. We were only informed of this around 7pm. Sorry about this”
Pulled their players from a junior league function last night. Obviously privately treating this a lot more seriously than they are publicly. Either that or there is a virus running through the place.
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Its also possible they are having a team bonding video session they are very popular at the panfers
