Sport Confidential: What Nathan Cleary wrote to himself before NRL grand final heroics
Sport Confidential: Nathan Cleary has revealed the note he wrote to himself on grand final day which helped sparked arguably the greatest 20 minutes the game has seen.
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Nathan Cleary has revealed the note he wrote to himself on grand final day which helped sparked arguably the greatest 20 minutes the game has seen.
Cleary writes down a pre-game message in his note book before every game. Sunday’s grand final was no different.
“The last thing I wrote to myself was have fun and enjoy it,” Cleary said. “The moment doesn’t come around very often – being in four in a row. You can’t take it for granted.
“It wasn’t enjoyable for period of the game but that’s what you play for. There are all different emotions as the game goes on. It was an awful start to the second half.”
EX-NRL BOSS’ POWERFUL NEW ROLE
The NRL has lost one of its key allies in Sydney after the state government officially handed control of Accor and Commbank Stadiums to Venues NSW, sidelining VenuesLive and their respected chief executive Daryl Kerry.
A matter of weeks after Kerry and his team helped deliver the hugely-successful Women’s World Cup and one of the greatest NRL grand finals in history, Sport Confidential can reveal his team have been moved on, victims of a power struggle and a desire to cut costs.
It means former NRL chief executive David Gallop has been left with the power to shape rugby league’s future – the former rugby league boss was appointed chair of Venues NSW in August.
The power play means the three key stadiums for rugby league in Sydney – Accor Stadium, Commbank Stadium and Allianz Stadium – will be under Gallop’s control from January 1, giving him enormous power to influence where rugby league and its clubs play.
South Sydney, for example, have made no secret of their desire to move back to Allianz Stadium at some point in their future but that would require extricating themselves from their current deal to play at Accor Stadium.
The fear is that having both stadiums now operated by Venues NSW could make that dream more difficult to achieve. Gallop will also hold greater sway over the Bulldogs, intriguing because he has long had a tempestuous relationship with their head of football Phil Gould.
Meanwhile, Kerry and VenuesLive will continue to operate Perth’s Optus Stadium and Central Coast Stadium. During their time in charge, Kerry and the Venues Live team presided over the Sydney 2000 Olympics, the Rugby World Cup in 2003, and a host of NRL grand finals.
They signed off with one of the best in the game’s history last Sunday night as Penrith beat the Broncos.
V’LANDYS PUTS BRAKES ON PENRITH’S VEGAS PLANS
ARL Commission chair Peter V’landys has issued Panthers Group chief executive Brian Fletcher with a light-hearted challenge after the Penrith boss suggested his club wanted to head to Las Vegas in 2025.
V’landys told Sport Confidential no sides were locked in for ’25 but quipped that Fletcher could start booking flights for his players if the Panthers can miraculously pull off a fourth consecutive title.
“I’ll make a challenge to Brian – if he wins, he is in,” V’landys told Sport Confidential.
“If not, he is not there.”
The Panthers opted not to apply to play in Vegas next year as the NRL prepares to open the season with a double header in Sin City.
However, they are keen to go the following year while their stadium is undergoing major renovations, something Fletcher reiterated during the club’s premiership celebrations earlier this week.
Manly, South Sydney, the Sydney Roosters and Brisbane were selected to kick off the Vegas experiment next year but the NRL has confirmed that no teams are locked in for 2025.
The four clubs are still trying to lock in training venues before they take part in the double header at Allegiant Stadium.
TEDDY’S FAMILY TIME BEFORE KANGAROOS DUTY
James Tedesco became a father for the first time last month but he insists he never contemplated turning down the chance to captain his country in the upcoming Pacific Championships.
Tedesco could have been excused for taking a break given the criticism he copped earlier this year and the fact his wife Maria gave birth to their daughter Rosie Mae just two weeks ago.
However, Tedesco says he will lead his country and pull on the No.1 jersey with the full support of Marie, who knows how important the green and gold is to the Sydney Roosters skipper.
“I am actually glad she (his daughter) came early,” Tedesco said.
“I am glad I got that two weeks to stay at home and have some family time. That is all I have been doing the last couple of weeks.
“Maria knew this was going to be on the cards. Mal (Meninga) has told me we can come home for a bit after the first game which is great.
“Maria was ready for me to be away for three to four weeks. Obviously going to miss them a lot but she has her family literally down the road. Maria is so supportive.
“She knows family is No.1 but in these circumstances, she supports whatever the decision is.”
Tedesco was in the theatre as Maria gave birth and walked away in awe of his wife.
“It is unbelievable – it is hard to explain the experience of your wife giving birth,” Tedesco told Sport Confidential.
“I was in there through it all and stayed at the hospital for four or five days after. I am loving it all. It is hard to explain the love you have for your daughter but I am really enjoying it.”
Rosie’s birth has also given him the chance to get one up on his good mate, Parramatta halfback Mitchell Moses. Earlier this year, Moses revealed on Triple M that he had only changed one nappy following the birth of his daughter.
Tedesco already has him covered.
“I have definitely done more than that,” he said. “He brought his (daughter) over to see our (Rosie). I told him it wasn’t that hard. I know he copped a bit of stick for it.”
LUKE LEWIS GIFTED CELEBRATORY GOGGLES TO PANTHERS
Penrith 2003 premiership winning player Luke Lewis was behind the celebratory goggles the Panthers players wore for days after their premiership success.
The goggles have become a staple of premiership winning teams across the globe – to stop the spray of champagne from landing in people’s eyes.
Lewis came up with the gift idea having recently launched team apparel company Unite.
“We wanted to give the players something they can keep after they created history,” Lewis said. “We’re not selling them. We are giving a few away via our Instagram page.”
The Panthers wore the goggles well into their Mad Monday celebrations with the decision by Lewis giving his company untold publicity after launching recently.
Lewis founded the company alongside ex-NRL player Jeremy Latimore and Cronulla lower-grader Jayden Walker.
“We wanted to give back to the grass roots and provide a new era of branded apparel,” Lewis said. “We want to give junior clubs a trusting partner with people who have been in the game.”
REFEREE ARCHER TAKES UP NEW ROLE IN PNG
Rugby league in PNG has received another major boost with the appointment of former leading referee Tony Archer to head up their competition governance and match officials.
“Building the foundation in officiating and governance from the grass roots upwards is crucial when it comes to creating a strong pathways system in sport,” Archer said.
“When it comes to being able to contribute to the game in PNG, it is a unique and exciting opportunity to work with such passionate people who love the game of rugby league and are so determined to see it continue to grow.”
SPOTTED
Panthers premiership winner Spencer Leniu wasting little time getting used to the Eastern Suburbs ahead of his move to the Roosters. Leniu was seen wearing his three premiership rings while doing some shopping at Eastgardens Westfield.
FLASHBACK
Manly set records on this day 15 years ago. The Sea Eagles embarrassed the Storm to win the 2008 decider 40-0 with winger Michael Robertson scoring three tries. Brent Kite won the Clive Churchill Medal.
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