‘Freddy has done a great job’: Cleary downplays role in NSW coaches box

Ivan Cleary has admitted he was “humbled” to sit in Brad Fittler’s NSW coaching box for the State of Origin series finale, but distanced himself from playing a more prominent role in the Blues’ set-up next year.

While the NSW Rugby League prepare to decide on Fittler’s future in coming months, two-time premiership-winning coach Cleary has defended the coaching record of his former teammate after accepting an invitation to join the inner sanctum for game three.

Speaking for the first time since his surprise appearance during NSW’s game three win, Cleary said his involvement had only come about after an informal invitation from Fittler. Even Panthers officials were unaware Cleary was planning to watch the game alongside Fittler.

“He just asked me and I said, ‘Yes’,” Cleary said. “That was about it. I was quite humbled to be able to be invited in there. I sat back in the cheap seats - they’re not really cheap, are they? - and enjoyed the night. I learned a bit myself.

“We played together 25 years ago, and we’ve known each other for a long time. He asked me to go in, and I thought it would be some good education for me. If I could help along the way, it would be good.”

Fittler said he sought counsel from Cleary during the match, in which the Blues rode a Cody Walker masterclass to restore pride after a wretched series in which they had lost key players Nathan Cleary, Latrell Mitchell, Tom Trbojevic and Api Koroisau through injury.

Brad Fittler with Ivan Cleary in the Blues’ coaching box on WednesdayCredit: Nine

The NSWRL said they haven’t made any decisions about their coaching structure for next year, with Fittler also weighing up whether he has the energy and desire to go for another year. He’s won three series and lost three since 2018.

“Freddy was in control [during game three],” Cleary said. “I can sit there with all care and no responsibility.

“It was pretty clear the team followed the gameplan, which probably hadn’t happened the first couple of games - and they got the result. I was really happy for him.

“I think he’s done a great job over six years. Any Origin series and any Origin game is always tight. Like anything, there will be lessons out of this series. Moving forward, there’s a lot to look forward to.”

Cleary is set to welcome back his own Origin contingent - Isaah Yeo, Liam Martin, Brian To’o and Stephen Crichton - for the Panthers’ clash against the Bulldogs at BlueBet Stadium on Sunday.

But the biggest inclusion will be son Nathan, who trained freely on Monday as he prepares to make his return from a hamstring tear which has sidelined him since days after NSW’s game one Origin loss.

Cleary will face his former assistant Cameron Ciraldo, who was his deputy for the 2021 and 2022 premierships, for the first time as the struggling Bulldogs try to inch away from the wooden spoon.

“I’ve spoken to him a bit [this year], but I haven’t spoken to him lately,” Cleary said. “We’ve texted a couple of times.

“But he’s going through a rebuild. I know the Dogs have had a few rebuilds and they haven’t quite got it right. That’s just how it is. If you’re in that period, it’s hard work. There would be a lot of stuff going on in the background that we wouldn’t see. Ten years ago, that was here. When I first arrived here we were going through something similar.

“I’ve got a lot of respect for Ciro as a person, as a coach, a great coach and he’ll have a great career.”

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