NRL 2020: How Panthers coach Ivan Cleary stole Apisai Koroisau from under Bulldogs noses
This is the untold story of how the Panthers snuck under the Bulldogs’ guard late last year to deliver Penrith the player that could help break the club’s 17-year premiership drought.
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Let us go back in time. To August 29, last year.
The big rugby league headline that day was about a Sea Eagles player called Apisai Koroisau.
“Bulldogs beat Warriors to snare Sea Eagles rake on $1.5m deal”, read one headline.
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“Koroisau to join Bulldogs rebuild from Manly,’’ read another.
Every big NRL headline that day was about Koroisau and the Bulldogs. None of them mentioned the Panthers. None of them mentioned Ivan Cleary. And that is because nobody knew about the top-secret meeting that had taken place at Cleary’s Freshwater home the night before.
This is the untold story of how the Panthers snuck under the Bulldogs’ guard to deliver Penrith the player that could break the club’s 17-year premiership drought.
“Everyone thought it was a two-horse race,” Cleary said.
“Between the Warriors and the Bulldogs.”
And it was. At least until Cleary stepped in.
“We came into it all very late,” Cleary said.
“At the time we probably weren’t in a position to bring him to the club. We had some very good hookers and weren’t looking at that position. We had a high opinion of Wayde Egan and we also had Mitch Kenny, who had done really well for us. So, we didn’t really pursue him.”
And then they did.
“I just decided I had to have him,” Cleary said.
“I knew players like him didn’t come up very often. It was too good an opportunity. We decided just to go for it and worry about the rest later. I was going to force the others guys, but I was going to sign Api.”
Cleary picked up the phone and arranged a meeting at his Northern Beaches home. It was attended by Koroisau and his manager Gian Lombardo. There was no time wasted on introductions or small chat given Cleary coached Koroisau at Penrith in 2015.
“It was all very informal and I just got him round for a chat,” Cleary said.
“I reckon it went for about an hour. I was very unusual because no-one knew about it.
Nothing got out and that is a credit to both the player and his manger.”
Cleary cannot recall what he said to convince Korisau to join the Panthers.
“You would have to ask him,” Cleary said.
“I just think that it was partly because we had worked together before. I also remember he was particularly interested when I said I wanted him in a leadership role. I could see how much he had matured from the time I last coached him. He spoke about leadership and his desire to become a senior player and we were on the same page. But really I don’t know. I just know I really wanted him.”
While he does not recall the entire conversation, he does remember the handshake that delivered him the season’s greatest signing.
“He just said ‘yep, I want to come, let’s do it’ and with that it was pretty much done,’’ Cleary said.
“It only took a few days after that to sort out the terms.”
Truth be told, Cleary never wanted to let Koroisau leave Penrith in 2015. While he refuses to discuss the circumstances and is happy to take the blame, it was Phil Gould who made the decision to keep James Segeyaro over Koroisau.
“People seem to think I didn’t like his attitude when he was here last but that couldn’t be further from the truth,” Cleary said.
“He has always been a player I have really liked. I am not saying I don’t like other players, but sometimes you just get on better with some guys and it has always been that way with me an Api. Maybe it is because he is a bit of a larakin but at the same time very serious about his football.”
Fast forward to August 30 and there is a new rugby league headline.
“Koroisau signs a three-year deal with Penrith,” read one.
Most predicted it would be a good signing for the club. No one new how good. Not even Cleary.
“I could never have hoped that he would make as much difference as he has,” Cleary said.
“I knew he was a significant signing but he has gone beyond that. Obviously the changes to the game have contributed but he would have been good regardless. We have a young team and we is an experienced and smart guy that starts every attacking move we do.
“And as much as it is his attack, I really like the way he defends too. He is old school where he tackles low when he needs too and comes up with the right tackle at the right time. He has helped us in defence as much as attack.”
Let’s fast forward a bit more. To the future even. Maybe the big headline on October 4 might read a little like this: “Koroisau delivers Cleary and Penrith their dream title”
Panthers production line digs deep for newest star
Penrith’s new sensation Daine Laurie has revealed he was laying NBN cable with fellow Panther Brent Naden just 12 months ago.
In a remarkable rugby league rise, Laurie and Naden are both in line to become premiership-winning players with the Panthers just a year after digging ditches.
Fulfilling his childhood dream of becoming an NRL player on Saturday night when he made his debut, Laurie last year mixed part-time Penrith training with a full-time job laying NBN cable alongside starting Panther’s centre Naden.
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“I did it all of last year until about November,” Laurie said.
“I was just laying cable with a couple of the boys from the 20s and obviously Nado. It was a pretty good crew, but I’d rather be playing footy for a living.”
Laurie is the latest in a long line of Penrith young guns to burst onto the scene after getting his first taste of NRL at the weekend.
The 21-year-old played the final six minutes of the win over Canberra.
“I was nervous as,” Laurie said.
“I was just worried about doing my job on the field.
“I reckon I did a couple of laps of the sideline just to keep warm and keep my mind off it.
“I only came on in the last five minutes, so I was full of energy and the boys were fatigued.”
Laurie, who also revealed he is related to South Sydney No. 6 Cody Walker, was recruited to Penrith as a 17-year-old schoolboy.
He relocated from Northern NSW and has spent the last four years living away from his family.
“I finished my school down here and then progressed up in to under-20s, to NSW Cup and then my debut the other night,” Laurie said.
“It was hard moving away from home. I got homesick. I am real tight with my family. I just stayed because I wanted to make my family proud and send a good message to the kids back home.”
A freakish fullback and former Jersey Flegg player of the year, Laurie said Walker has helped him with his homesickness.
“He is my mum’s third cousin,” Laurie said.
“My uncle. He is a big supporter in my life and helps me out whenever I get homesick or anything.
“He helps me out a lot. I am pretty close to him and all his family.”
Admitting to be star struck by the likes of Nathan Cleary when he first moved down to Sydney, Laurie is now intent on winning a starting role in the top of the table team.
He will get another chance to impress from the bench on Friday when the Panthers take on the Warriors.
“It’s unreal to finally be part of it,” Laurie said.
“I was star struck when I first game down to Penrith and it took me a while to get comfortable around the boys.
“I am just going to bide my time but my goal is to eventually earn a starting spot but I have plenty of time.”