Penrith unveils Anthony Griffin as new Panthers NRL coach for 2016

PENRITH have announce Anthony Griffin as their new head coach for 2016, replacing Ivan Cleary on a three-year-deal.

HE was born in Rockhampton, coached the Brisbane Broncos and was due to coach Redcliffe Dolphins this season.

Anthony Griffin though has a confession.

“I always wanted to coach in Sydney,” he said.

Griffin was officially named Penrith’s new head coach on Wednesday, signing a three-year deal at Pepper Stadium.

He will replace Ivan Cleary, who was sacked on Monday afternoon with still another season remaining on his four-year contract. Cleary jetted out of Sydney on Wednesday for a holiday in the Maldives.

Griffin, always straight-forward, said: “I’ve been a rugby league tragic since I was two or three years old and Sydney has always been the home of rugby league. It was always something I wanted to do.

“I like the fact Penrith is a tough, rugby league, working-class area. It was always a tough road trip coming here.

Former Broncos coach Anthony Griffin.

“Brisbane is obviously the ‘big show’. A couple of million people, just one club. Everything about it is profile and you get scrutinised very hard. I never shied away from that.

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“One of my dreams as a coach was to one-day coach in Sydney. I love the game and the history. To come and coach in Sydney is something that I will relish.”

Griffin will have an enormous task digesting and understanding western Sydney while garnishing immediate support from Panthers fans.

In Brisbane, Griffin only had to worry about one club in one town. Sydney has nine clubs, four in western Sydney.

“I have been in the industry a long time and I know it (western Sydney) is a massive rugby league area - it needs a successful team,” he said.

“I am looking forward to meeting the people out here and getting a feel for the place.”

Speaking with The Daily Telegraph after Wednesday’s press conference, Griffin explained exactly what he can offer Penrith fans.

“I think I get the best out of the players that I work with,” he said. “I’ve got a good grasp in most areas of the modern game. The team will be disciplined, they will work hard. The fans of the team will be proud of them.

“I can promise the players, staff and members that I won’t leave any stone unturned. Any player that wants to work hard will get an opportunity.”

Griffin spoke openly about his halves, Peter Wallace and Jamie Soward.

Asked did he anticipate any issues with Wallace, who left Brisbane for Penrith after a fall-out with Griffin, the new Panthers coach said: “No problem at all. At this level, rugby league is a tough business. I felt for Peter at the time but I made a decision at the time that Brisbane needed Ben Hunt as halfback. I’m at the Panthers now and those decisions were made for another club.”

Then asked would Jamie Soward play first grade, Griffin said: “I wouldn’t know. If he trains hard enough, he will be.”

Pressed on whether he shared Gould’s infamous five-year plan, Griffin said: “No, mate, no. I’ve had a two-day plan. I have just arrived.”

Garth Brennan will be Griffin’s assistant coach.

With Jamal Idris, George Jennings, Robert Jennings, Josh Mansour, James Segeyaro, Will Smith, Elijah Taylor, Peter Wallace, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Isaah Yeo all free agents next season, Gould and Griffin will work together when it comes to recruitment and retention.

Re-live the announcement in our blog below!

Originally published as Penrith unveils Anthony Griffin as new Panthers NRL coach for 2016