By Christian Nicolussi
The number of high-profile players being forced out of Penrith because of salary-cap pressure has eliminated the need to go searching for motivation during their premiership years.
So says coach Ivan Cleary, who admits the exits of Jarome Luai and James Fisher-Harris are heartbreaking, but also the simple reason the players found it easy to stay motivated for title success.
Penrith were spurred to play well for departing pair James Tamou and Josh Mansour at the end of 2020, Matt Burton in 2021, Viliame Kikau and Api Koroisau in 2022, then Stephen Crichton and Spencer Leniu last year.
They were always going to lift for Luai and Fisher-Harris, said Cleary, who became emotional when presenting Luai his jersey the night before the grand final.
“I did the jersey preso, I was lucky I got ‘Fish’ out of the way early [without tears], then I looked at ‘Romey’, he was looking back at me … it was emotional,” Cleary said.
“Those guys have been there from the start. I love these guys like they’re my own sons. I’m so happy we were able to get it done.
Ivan Cleary celebrates Sunday’s grand final win with departing star Jarome LuaiCredit: NRL Photos
“Players leaving has almost become a ‘super power’ for us. The boys grow another leg.
“If you look back, Spencer, ‘Critta’ [Crichton], Api, ‘Kiks’ [Kikau], Romey had his best year this year. It’s just added something. It’s disappointing and sad to lose them, but on the other hand, those guys leaving has also helped us.
“Some of the names I’ve just mentioned, we wondered how we would ever get by without them. But we seemed to have found a way.
“I don’t even want to think about [next year] right now. But I think we will [find a way] again. I just know what these guys are like. They love winning, push themselves every single day, every single season, and find a reason to get the best out of themselves.
“Hopefully, we do it again next year and give ourselves a chance to win.”
Cleary said this season had its share of challenges – his son Nathan missed a large part of the year with injury – but loved the way “the boys found another gear” in the finals, and were excellent defensively, “which is what we’ve built our foundation on”.
Jack Cole and new recruit Blaize Talagi are the early contenders for Luai’s No. 6 jersey, while new Kangaroos’ selection Lindsay Smith and Liam Henry will compete for Fisher-Harris’s starting spot. Another recruit, Isaiah Papali’i, is also capable of playing in the middle.
Penrith’s departing stars
2020:
James Tamou signs two-year $700,000 deal with Wests Tigers
Josh Mansour signs two-year $850,000 deal with South Sydney
2021:
Matt Burton signs three-year $3m deal with Canterbury Bulldogs
Kurt Capewell signs three-year $1.3m deal with Brisbane Broncos
2022:
Viliame Kikau signs four-year $3.2m deal with Canterbury Bulldogs
Api Koroisau signs three-year $1.95m deal with Wests Tigers
2023:
Stephen Crichton signs four-year $3.4m deal with Canterbury Bulldogs
Spencer Leniu signs two-year $1.2m deal with Sydney Roosters
2024:
Jarome Luai signs five-year $6m deal with Wests Tigers
James Fisher-Harris signs four-year $3.6m deal with New Zealand Warriors
Sunia Turuva signs three-year $1.3m deal with Wests Tigers
Paris Olympic champion Jess Fox was in the Penrith sheds on Sunday and aware her beloved NRL team had continually thrived, despite losing excellent players each year.
“This is such a special team; to see the way they’ve jelled and performed under pressure, but now it feels like the band is breaking up,” Fox told this masthead.
“It’s emotional and sad. This win is wonderful. My Olympic golds were really special for me – this win is for the community and team.”
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