Photo: News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom
The Clearys are officially rugby league’s First Family.
Penrith superstar Nathan Cleary was already rated the best player in the game by NRL coaches but he no longer has bragging rights over his father Ivan after the Panthers mentor was voted the premier coach in the game by his peers for the first time.
Leading Penrith to a third consecutive premiership last season was finally enough for Ivan Cleary to topple Melbourne mentor Craig Bellamy as the King of the coaches.
Cleary secured 43 per cent of the votes in the third annual survey of NRL head and assistant coaches NRL, surging past Bellamy as the game’s No.1 mentor. A third premiership in succession for Penrith was enough to convince his fellow coaches that Cleary deserved the top gong as he ended Bellamy’s two-year reign at the top of the rankings.
Cleary has a red-hot chance to further etch his name in folklore this season – the Panthers are favourites to make it four titles in a row despite the loss of NSW centre Steven Crichton, who has moved to the Bulldogs.
“It’s great to see Ivan recognised by his peers as the best NRL coach in the league,” Penrith chief executive Matt Cameron said.
“What Ivan has brought to this club has been exceptional – not only with the club’s on-field success, but also the culture he has set at the Panthers.
“Ivan takes great pride on the Panthers being a source of community pride, and this has been reflected by the way he leads the team.
“Ivan has a great relationship with his players and staff, which ultimately contributes to the on-field success.
“For a club to remain successful for a sustained period is an incredible achievement for a head coach, and something Ivan should be extremely proud of.”
STORY – MICHAEL CARAYANNIS, PETER BADEL, BRENT READ, AND DAVID RICCIO (The Daily Telegraph)