Panthers ready to nab Cleary
THE battle lines have been drawn over Ivan Cleary as the Wests Tigers prepare to block any potential return to Penrith to replace their sacked coach Anthony Griffin.
Sources close to Penrith claim Cleary is preparing to seek a release based on his desire to coach his son and Panthers halfback, Nathan Cleary.
The Tigers are demanding Cleary honour the final two years of an iron-clad contract.
Penrith say they haven’t tabled a formal offer yet.
Cleary was not commenting yesterday, further fuelling speculation on his future.
It’s understood Penrith first approached Cleary two weeks ago through Panthers chairman Dave O’Neill but the Tigers only found out about it on Monday night when Cleary contacted Wests chief executive Justin Pascoe.
Penrith yesterday publicly confirmed their interest – a rare declaration given Cleary is under contract at a rival club.
It was also revealed Griffin’s sacking will cost the Panthers up to $3 million.
Griffin’s manager Wayne Beavis will demand a full payout of $1.6 million for the rest of this season and next two years.
The Panthers would also be forced to pay $1 million a season for Cleary, plus compensation of about $400,000 to the Tigers.