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Penrith coach Ivan Cleary has opened up about Nathan Cleary's season-ending leg injury, his son's contract future and his own coaching retirement after a dramatic Dally M night.
Penrith coach Ivan Cleary admitted the line between being a coach and a dad blurred like never before at the Dally M s after Nathan Cleary suffered a gruesome season-ending leg injury.
He said it was lucky the incident happened close to half-time because it was not easy to handle both roles. Cleary delivered his half-time speech, which he admitted was obviously not that good, then went to see his son. His wife Bec and eldest daughter Indi were a mess, and the moment was heavy on the whole family. He said the nature of the injury was pretty horrific and he knew straight away it was bad.
Nathan Cleary Contract Future Penrith
Cleary also felt terrible because he had watched how hard Nathan worked just to get back on the field, only to last 10 minutes before disaster struck. What Nathan does with his next contract has been one of the biggest rugby league stories of the year. Penrith officials want an answer, and Ivan confirmed he would love nothing more than for his son to pledge his future to the Panthers.
Of course I do, Ivan said when asked about Nathan inking a new Penrith deal. In my own heart I have always wanted him to stay. Ultimately it is his decision, but I would definitely like him to stay. Ivan will finish up as coach at the end of next year and said he has no second thoughts about walking away.
I am very comfortable with my decision, not just for me but the club. I think it is the right time. Days like Sunday just make you more hungry to win in 2027. Aside from the gruesome scenes of Cleary's leg bent out of shape, the reaction from teammates was just as heartbreaking.
Dylan Edwards was captured on TV with his hands on his head in sheer disbelief before consoling his good mate. Edwards said it is something you are not used to seeing on the footy field and it was so hard to see, especially him being one of my great mates. The fullback had his left knee in a brace after playing more than half a game with a PCL injury.
As for whether he will need surgery and be forced to miss the World Cup, Edwards said he is not too sure. He will have to talk to Kevvy, meaning coach Kevin Walters, and will stay in the brace for a bit to see how it goes.
Jai Arrow MND Grand Final Day
South Sydney forward Jai Arrow spoke about being invited to NRL Grand Final Day, where 80,000 fans will do the arrow gesture as he walks past to the sound of You Will Never Walk Alone. Arrow was forced to retire this year because of MND. Arrow said it is nice to keep raising awareness for everyone living with MND and he has been blown away by the support from rugby league supporters and the NRL.
He called it an honour to be there this weekend. Asked about Kylie Minogue performing at the grand final, Arrow joked that he used to be a good singer and while he may not be as good-looking as Minogue, at least he will not cost the NRL a dollar for his performance. He said the Roosters will be hard to beat but he would love to see the Knights win.
The 31-year-old added he will fly to Europe on Monday, where he will wed his partner Berina. The pair married in Sydney earlier this year just in case Arrow's condition deteriorated and he was unable to say I do overseas. He will also spend time in Cyprus undergoing revolutionary treatment. Mimi Bowell spoke about Kalyn Ponga and said he has been pretty relaxed, while the atmosphere in Newcastle has been incredible and the town is super supportive.
She said she is excited and proud because making the grand final has been his dream. Bowell is from Adelaide, where there is no NRL team, so she was a Crows supporter. She declared she is a Newcastle fan now. Elliott is only 28 and may have a bit of FOMO when next season rolls around, but she was not looking past Sunday's decider against Brisbane.
Tom Dearden World Cup Pregnancy
Tom Dearden is a big chance to wear the green and gold, especially with Cleary out of action, and does not expect to miss any Test matches despite his Sydney-based partner Millie Oliver. The couple are at 35 weeks and have only a month to go, which Dearden called a surprise. Dearden said he would love to be part of the World Cup squad and hopes the birth lines up in the middle of games.
Herbie Farnworth said he has not heard anything about his own situation because he was only focused on the finals, but now the World Cup is here and he hopes for a busy month. Farnworth said he is sure his manager is doing a good job behind the scenes and will bring something to him. He called the Dolphins a great club, said they showed what they can do this year and added he is sure something can get done.
Jack Bostock said last weekend was rough for the family after his Dolphins premiership dream ended on the same weekend his sister Indie Bostock, who plays for the Gold Coast Titans, also fell in the grand final qualifier. He said she probably did not want to embarrass him and had a great year. Bostock said the Titans are young, similar to the Dolphins, and he hopes his sister is back there next year.
David Fifita Justin Holbrook Titans
David Fifita spoke about Justin Holbrook and said he is a family man who got him to the Titans, and it was unfortunate when he left because he missed him. Fifita said Holbrook sends him messages and checks up on him, and he does the same in return. He said he has a good love for Justin, who is easy to talk to and just a relaxed, chilled guy, calling him one of his favourite coaches.
Keaon Koloamatangi, who is bound for St George Illawarra, said he learned this week he would not require knee surgery and was available for the Cup. He informed Tongan coach Kristian Woolf late Wednesday that his preference was to wear the green and gold.
brisbanetimes
smh:This story was compiled and edited by the HeadTopics newsroom and HT AI from the reports above.
Nathan Cleary Injury Ivan Cleary NRL World Cup Jai Arrow MND
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