Ivan Cleary’s hilarious reaction to fan abuse in spiteful Panthers win over Tigers

Panthers coach Ivan Cleary has sent a message to mouthy Tigers fans with a hilarious moment from the coaches box after a spiteful clash.

Ivan Cleary let the fans have it right back.

The Penrith Panthers’ win over the Wests Tigers had it all with a classic thriller that went right down to the wire.

A tough clash, the result was only really decided with six minutes to go when Dylan Edwards crossed for the match sealing try to put the Panthers up 19-12.

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But the heated clash wasn’t over there with some retaliation for an earlier seemingly accidental high shot on Luciano Leilua from his brother and Tigers centre Joey.

The 58th minute drama threatened to spill over when the Panthers’ Api Koroisau went to apologise for the tackle and had a scuffle with Joey Leilua.

But with two minutes remaining, the match spilt over when Joey hit Dylan Edwards high without the ball and earned himself a sin bin.

The heated scenes continued throughout the final minutes and appeared to even get heated in the stands with Panthers coach caught on camera pointing to the scoreboard and blowing kisses to a fan and gesturing to the scoreboard.

"Have a look at the scoreboard" 😙

Ivan Cleary sends a clear message 😂😂

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While it was a funny moment Cleary made it clear he was getting some stick from the crowd.

“I’m not used to the fans I don’t think,” he said in the press conference. “It’s been a while since they’ve been here.

“It was just an incident I probably wish I didn’t do anything but I got could have done worse so it’s all good, there’s no dramas.”

Brent Naden joined in with Cleary.

Pressed further, Cleary said it was all part of the emotion of a tight and hard-fought game.

“I didn’t like what he said to me, as I said I’m not used to fans probably, I was probably a bit emotional. But I’m glad I didn’t do what I felt like doing,” he said with a laugh.

Ivan was actually waving and blowing kisses to Nathan. Let’s be serious here. #NRLTigersPanthers

— Chloe-Amanda Bailey (@ChloeAmandaB) July 4, 2020

Cracker of a game that, sealed with a kiss from coach Cleary 😂😂😂 #NRLTigersPanthers

— Zac Bailey (@ZacBailey14) July 4, 2020

The classic 'Look at the scoreboard' 😂#NRLTigersPanthers #NRL pic.twitter.com/i0ZzLdi3B1

— Sportsbet.com.au (@sportsbetcomau) July 4, 2020

His son and halfback Nathan said “I don’t know what he’s doing up there, a bit crazy”.

Cleary is a tougher customer as a former player and someone who’s not stood idly by in the past.

Last year when the Panthers played the Raiders, Clearly reportedly erupted in the tunnel after his team got a talking to.

The fan can count his blessing that all he got was a kiss.