Panthers saw Wayne Bennett as short-term solution, back ‘sorry’ Ivan Cleary as the future
Panthers group chief executive Brian Fletcher believes signing Wayne Bennett would only have been a “short-term fix” and warned disgruntled fans that Ivan Cleary is not going anywhere soon.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Panthers group chief executive Brian Fletcher believes signing Wayne Bennett would only have been a “short-term fix” for the embattled club.
Former general manager of football Phil Gould had identified Bennett as a potential suitor for the Panthers, before the board eventually went with Ivan Cleary.
Despite the Panthers’ perilous position, Fletcher has offered total support for Cleary, who has come under scrutiny following seven losses in nine games this season.
“There isn’t a drama in the world with Ivan Cleary from a board’s perception, I can tell you that. Ivan has a five-year contract,” Fletcher said.
“At the moment, we’re not having success and that’s something we have to address. We will address the results and have a look at the playing roster going forward.
“The fans are disappointed. As Ivan said, he feels sorry for the fans. We just haven’t performed to the level we were expected to perform.”
Bennett’s South Sydney side beat North Queensland on Sunday to continue their fast start to the season. But Fletcher doesn’t have any regrets about not opting for the veteran coach.
“No, not at all. The board thought for the long term future of the Panthers that Ivan was the man,” Fletcher said.
“We didn’t want a short-term fix, we wanted a long-term fix. He has a five-year deal and will be there for five years. He might even be here for longer if he has success.”
Cleary’s former team the Wests Tigers belted Penrith 30-4 last Friday night, sparking talk of a roster shake-up, including Dallin Watene-Zelezniak potentially joining Parramatta mid-season.
Fletcher, though, was reluctant to discuss the possibility some players could be moved on before their contracts expire to reinvigorate the playing roster.
Dear @PenrithPanthers fans.
— Martin Lang (@Martin_Lang11) May 11, 2019
Don’t turn on Ivan Cleary. He never offers excuses.
Tough start to the year but you only have to look at what Michael Maguire has done with the @WestsTigers since sinking to Parramatta a few weeks ago.
“That’s not my call. That’s up to Ivan and the coaches to discuss,” he said.
“Ivan is in charge of the players. That’s the way it has been set up since he came here as coach. He will address all that this week and report back to the board.
“He attends those meetings and will give the board an update, like he usually does.
“I am sure we will get out of it. It’s been a few difficult weeks and we haven’t performed to the best of our ability. I think everyone is aware of that. We just have to dig ourselves out of it.
“Gus has moved on and it’s up to Ivan, Cameron (Ciraldo, assistant coach) and Peter Wallace (assistant coach) to sort out the football performances.”
Fletcher said Cleary would “get the players together” and start preparing for Friday night’s home game against New Zealand Warriors.
“The players are there, the ability is there, it’s just a matter of getting them to perform on the paddock,” Fletcher said.
“We’ve got a lot of talent down in the under-20s. Ivan will be looking at all that now. He is 100 per cent in charge of the whole football operations.”
Originally published as Panthers saw Wayne Bennett as short-term solution, back ‘sorry’ Ivan Cleary as the future
Awkward moment as Olympian rejects 9 star
NRL great Brad Fittler has once come under fire from viewers after his latest awkward interaction with Olympian Jessica Fox.
‘Three games’: Cleary reveals finals vow
The Penrith captain dragged his battered body through the games that mattered most with a dodgy shoulder after telling his mum exactly what he’d do.