Tigers coach Ivan Cleary opens up about Moses Suli and club’s new culture
IVAN Cleary has no regrets about Moses Suli’s stunning exit off the Tigers bus, declaring the talented 19-year-old just didn’t fit the new culture he is driving.
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IVAN Cleary has no regrets about Moses Suli’s stunning exit off the Wests Tigers bus, declaring “we did our best but in the end I guess you can only lead a horse to water”.
In the wake of the talented 19-year-old’s switch to Canterbury, Cleary has opened up to The Daily Telegraph about why Suli just didn’t fit the new culture he is driving.
Cleary also spoke about the challenge ahead for Luke Brooks with Josh Reynolds and Benji Marshall looking over his shoulder, while admitting Tui Lolohea is no guarantee of owning the No 1 jumper.
SULI’S EXIT
For years the Tigers have had problems relating to players playing by their own rules and undermining the coach but those days are gone.
Cleary didn’t want to go over what happened in the past but was direct about how it would be going forward.
“I can only say what is happening now,” Cleary said.
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“We certainly have a set of standards and a level of respect that is necessary for what we are trying to build and the team we are trying to create and what all the others players here are doing in terms of creating a standard.”
He said Suli’s exit was a “long time coming to be honest”.
“We did our best but in the end I guess you can only lead a horse to water,” he said.
“This was not a one off.
“I won’t go into detail but I will be very clear that we did everything we could.
“That was in conjunction with his manager and his family.
“But in the end it just didn’t work out.
“I hope he finds what he is looking for.”
NEW HOPE
That aside, Cleary said the pre-season had been “really enjoyable” with a stack of new faces helping to create a whole new vibe.
Reynolds, Marshall, Russell Packer, Ben Matulino, Cleary said you just couldn’t fault any of their attitudes.
“We have a lot of new players,” he said.
“The reality of that is it is going to take a bit of time for that to gel but they have all come here with a good attitude and they have trained hard.
“I guess your window of measurement comes when you are playing games so hopefully we can see that sort of stuff on the field.”
Cleary is still to announce who will replace Aaron Woods as captain and it sounds like that responsibility could be shared.
“Well, there is more to it than meets the eye, put it that way,” he joked.
“I don’t want to make a big deal about it but we will announce what we will do shortly.
“The truth is nothing has been announced to the group yet.”
NO PROMISES
Cleary is also keeping an open mind about several positions, including who takes James Tedesco’s spot.
Asked if Lolohea had the fullback spotted locked up, he responded: “There is a lot of positions that I honestly haven’t settled on.
“The team that gets picked for the first round may not necessarily be the same that ends up being our best team by the end of the year.
“It is fair to say that position (fullback) is one of those.
“It is very competitive and we have genuine depth.
“One of the first things I noticed when I got here last year is that we didn’t have (depth).
“Some players don’t necessarily want people breathing down their necks but it is actually good for them.
“And if you do get injuries hopefully it is not going to derail you.”
BROOKS, ‘GRUB’ & BENJI
There is plenty of expectation to see how Brooks goes this year with the experience of Reynolds and Marshall to call on.
“The goal for Luke is just to do his job for the team each week,” Cleary said.
“His role as a halfback is to control our team.
“He has certainly got ability.
“That is undoubted.
“Like many young halves they go from junior football into senior football and it is a totally different game for many of them.
“I think Luke has had to learn that on the job.
“The role we have him playing now is a little more oriented towards controlling it rather than steering it between his other halve.
“He has trained really well.
“He is one of those kids who has always had troubles with injuries from the data I have.
“But he is fit and strong and looking really good.
“He has certainly put himself in a good position to have a good season.
“Josh Reynolds is an easy one because he is who he is and what you see is what you get.
“He is very competitive and he is motivated and he does his best every day.
“I am looking forward to seeing him in a Wests Tigers jumper.”
As he is to having Marshall back.
“He just looks happy to be here,” Cleary said.
“For a guy that has done so much, not just in the game but at this club, it is a nice link to the past.
“But he is also really keen and positive about contributing as much as he can to the future.”