Source :- THE AGE NEWS
Ivan Cleary not once feared his famous son Nathan’s career would be cut short by a horrific leg injury – and declared he would love nothing more than for the Dally M winner to pledge his future to the Panthers.
“Sunday was probably the first time I can remember where the line between being a coach and a dad got blurred,” Ivan told this masthead.
“It wasn’t easy. It was probably lucky it happened close to half-time. I went down and did my half-time speech, which obviously wasn’t that good, and I went and saw him. [Wife] Bec and my eldest daughter Indi were a mess, and that was heavy.
“You have to try and get on with it.
“Obviously, the nature of the injury was pretty horrific. I knew straight away it was bad. I also felt shitty because I had seen how hard he had worked, just to get back on the field. He gets 10 minutes, then that happened.”
What Nathan does with his next contract has been one of the biggest rugby league stories of the year, with Penrith having already started discussions about a new deal.
Even though Ivan will finish up as coach at the end of next year, he made it clear he wanted Nathan to stay put.
“Of course I do,” said Ivan, when asked about Nathan inking a new Penrith contract.
“In my own heart I’ve always wanted him to stay. Ultimately, it’s his decision, but I’d definitely like him to stay.”
As for the man himself having second thoughts about ending his coaching career, Ivan said: “I’m very comfortable with my decision, not just for me but the club. I think it’s the right time. Days like Sunday just make you more hungry [to win in 2027].”
Heartbroken Edwards
Aside from gruesome scenes featuring Cleary’s leg bent out of shape, the reaction from his teammates was just as heartbreaking, including Dylan Edwards, who was captured on TV putting his hands on his head in sheer disbelief before consoling his good mate.
“It’s something you’re not used to seeing on the footy field – it was so hard to see, especially him being one of my great mates,” Edwards said.
The fullback had his left knee in a brace after playing more than half a game of footy with a PCL injury. As for whether he will need surgery and be forced to miss the World Cup, Edwards said: “I’m not too sure. I’ll have to talk to ‘Kevvy’ [coach Kevin Walters]; I’ll be in this thing [the brace] for a bit and see how it goes.”
Arrow honoured
So how does Jai Arrow feel about being invited to NRL Grand Final Day, and having 80,000 fans do the ‘arrow’ gesture as he strolls past them to the sound of You Will Never Walk Alone?
“It’s nice I can try and keep raising awareness for everyone living with MND – I’ve been blown away by all the support from rugby league supporters and the NRL, and it will be an honour to be there this weekend,” said the South Sydney forward who was forced to retire this year because of MND.
When told the AFL had Kylie Minogue perform at their grand final, Arrow quipped: “I actually used to be a good singer, and while I may not be as good-looking as Kylie Minogue, at least I won’t cost the NRL a dollar for my ‘performance’.”
Arrow says the Roosters will be hard to beat, “but I’d 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 – and will also spend time in Cyprus undergoing revolutionary treatment.
Meeting Ponga’s partner
Newcastle captain Kalyn Ponga was accompanied on the Dally M’s red carpet by his partner, swimwear founder Mimi Bowell, who said of ‘KP’: “He’s been pretty relaxed. The atmosphere in Newcastle has been incredible. It’s a super supportive town to be in.
“I’m excited for him and proud because it’s been his dream to make the grand final. I’m from Adelaide, we don’t have an NRL team, so I was a Crows supporter. I’m a Newcastle fan now.”
Millie retirement
Like Daly Cherry-Evans, Millie Elliott is hoping to bow out of the NRL with a premiership for the Roosters.
Elliott is only 28 and says she may have a bit of ‘FOMO’ [fear of missing out] when the season rolls around next year, but was not looking past Sunday’s decider against Brisbane.
Husband, South Sydney forward Adam Elliott, would be decked out in Roosters colours come game day.
“I have to put on Souths colours when I support him, so it’s only fair,” Elliott said.
Dearden bub watch
Still on Australia and the World Cup, 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, expecting their first child in the middle of the tournament.
“We’re at 35 weeks, we’ve only got a month to go, it’s all a surprise,” Dearden said.
“I’d love to be a part of the World Cup squad. Hopefully, the birth lines up in the middle of games.”
Millie added: “He’ll be there for the birth, then go back and play every game.”
Handsome Herbie
The Sydney Roosters have been heavily linked to Dolphins centre and English international Herbie Farnworth, not that he knows – or cares.
“I’ve not heard anything about it myself, I was only focused on the finals. Now we’ve got the World Cup – hopefully I’ve got a busy month ahead of me,” Farnworth said.
“I’m sure my manager is doing a good job behind the scenes and will bring something to me. The Dolphins are a great club, we showed what we can do this year, and I’m sure we can get something done.”
Asked if he was not the best-looking man in rugby league, then who was, Farnworth said: “Jack Bostock thinks he is at the moment. He’s also just got a fresh [hair] cut.”
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 tanked in the grand final qualifier.
“I think she didn’t want to embarrass me; she had a great year, her Titans team is young, similar to the Dolphins, so hopefully she’s back there next year,” Bostock said.
Fellow Dolphins playmaker Isaiya Katoa was in a moonboot, but assured this masthead he would be fit for Tonga at the World Cup.
Fifita embrace
David Fifita had nothing but love for Newcastle coach Justin Holbrook, with the pair sharing a close bond during their time together on the Gold Coast.
“Justin is a family man, he got me to the Titans, when he left, it was unfortunate, and I missed him,” Fifita said.
“He sends me messages and checks up on me, and I do the same to him. I have a good love for Justin. He’s easy to talk to and just a relaxed, chilled guy. He’s one of the favourite coaches I’ve had.”
Souths teammate 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.
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