The Wests Tigers, in warning they will not be “bullied or railroaded by anyone”, have sent a clear message to Penrith over Ivan Cleary. Just like Manly did to Canterbury six years ago – only to see Des Hasler walk out of Brookvale with a year still left on his contract.
The Tigers have the moral high ground and have every right to expect Cleary will see out the two-and-a-half years he has remaining on his deal. But the fact is, if he doesn’t want to be there, they have no option but to let him go.
If Ivan Cleary wants to go, there’s little Wests Tigers can do about it.
How they are compensated for his departure, should it happen, is up to them. Cleary will also have to deal with the inevitable hit to his reputation. But there is no point keeping him if he doesn’t want to be on his own bus.
NRL clubs haven’t been in this situation since Hasler’s premiership year of 2011. Just days after Manly’s triumph it emerged the Bulldogs had signed him from 2013 onwards, but were keen to take him immediately. The initial reaction from the Sea Eagles was akin to that of the Tigers today – the coach is contracted and going nowhere. But it soon became apparent that wasn’t going to work.
The situations aren’t identical. In Manly’s case, they couldn’t afford to compete financially with the Bulldogs' offer and felt Hasler would do more damage by staying put. Citing a breach of contract – Hasler was accused of poaching support staff – they terminated his contract.
“The Sea Eagles were in a different financial position to the Bulldogs and simply couldn’t compete in that commercial market,” said David Perry, Manly’s chief executive at the time.
“You clearly don’t want to stop someone from looking after their livelihood, but at the same time, you don’t want them tearing the joint down on the way out.
“There needs to be a fair and reasonable outlook on this and the Tigers will no doubt be seeking compensation if it plays out this way.”
Cleary, meanwhile, could play the family card. That he gave his brother a kidney suggests the Cleary clan is tight. Now he has been offered a chance to fulfil his dream of coaching his son, even if it would make more sense for the Panthers halfback to go the other way.
“It was a completely different situation than with the Sea Eagles ,” Perry said.
“If this is the opportunity right now then Ivan is obviously in a difficult situation, however this is a very unique circumstance, to be able to coach his son next year.
“He might have one opportunity in all of his first-grade career to coach him. If this is the only timeline, then you have to put yourself in Ivan’s situation.
“Having said that, there are two parties involved here and they need to sit down and work out the best outcome under the circumstances. It’s also not in the interest of both parties holding key employees back if their head is somewhere else.”
If Cleary was to leave, the Tigers are within their rights to set their price. They could seek a seven-figure compensation figure or demand some of Penrith’s best players transfer to Concord. Whether Cleary is prepared to go through with the move, and the associated backlash, remains to be seen.
“The Wests Tigers have got something out of it already,” Perry explained.
“If Ivan was to leave at some point, he would leave the club a great legacy. You would rather the club be left in the shape it currently is now – on the way up with a good young roster – than walking out when it’s on the decline.
“It’s not ideal for Wests Tigers, but the circumstances are one in a million
“That’s why there would be a reasonable grounds in Ivan’s case.”
Source: Read Full Article