Wests Tigers end season with loss to Rabbitohs, now must sort out their coach Ivan Cleary’s intentions
AS Wests Tigers said goodbye to season 2018 with a defeat to South Sydney, the focus now turns to the future of coach Ivan Cleary and whether he is really staying on the bus.
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SO are you staying on the bus Ivan, or are you getting off?
That was the question that demanded a straight answer in the wake of the 51-10 hiding the Wests Tigers copped off South Sydney.
And this is how Ivan Cleary answered it, with a response that was as clear as mud.
Asked directly if he could guarantee he would be at the Tigers in 2019, Cleary said: “Yeah, I have said what I said about that.
“I have a contract here. I have said all I need to say. I get that people want to discuss it.
“I get there is an agenda about various things outside the game.
“But I think I have made my position clear.”
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What Cleary had made clear before was his intention to honour the final two years of his contract.
But given that Penrith boss Phil Gould had spoken publicly about the conversations his club had with Cleary, which ultimately led to Anthony Griffin’s sacking, it is understandable why the speculation still existed.
Even Griffin admitted that he was told by Gould when he was sacked that Cleary would be taking over as coach.
Cleary had also said previously that he was disappointed with the “misinformation” that had been reported about his future.
Asked about that “misinformation” again last night, he didn’t want to go there either.
“No, I don’t, because there is so many different stories that have been written,” he said.
“There is obviously misinformation. I was pretty clear that I was disappointed and why wouldn’t you be?
“As I said, I have made my peace on that.”
But with Penrith still looking for a coach for next season — and given Nathan Cleary will be free to negotiate with rival clubs come November 1 for 2020 — don’t expect the speculation to stop now.
Cleary has had every chance to put this story to bed. But again his answers gave little clarity.
It’s no wonder so many people remain confused.
Asked if he expected the speculation to continue in the coming weeks, Cleary added: “I don’t know.
“Speculation is speculation. I can’t deal with that.
“I just have to deal with what I have in front of me.”
What was clear was the difference between a team that is ready to play finals footy right now and another that still has a way to go.
As a club the Tigers haven’t made the finals since 2011 under Tim Sheens but this year’s 12 wins was the best finish since then.
“I guess the biggest intention (this year) was to build a foundation for the future,” Cleary said of 2018.
“We started the year with some good tight, hard wins against some fancied teams.
“But I guess there was a bit of a pattern where the level we found ourselves at was we were good as underdogs. We became scrappers.
“Defensively I thought we made some real strides this year.
“The club has never been known as a defensive club and if you are going to be successful I think history shows that you have to be strong defensively.
“I think we made some real strides in that area.
“But obviously we are not there. You finish where you deserve. We are just outside (the top eight) but not there yet.”
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