The NRL’s great grand final coaching bust up has turned into an all-out love-in with Ivan Cleary and Wayne Bennett declaring they’ve moved on from their war of words.<\/p>\n
Three weeks after their verbal jousting over kick blockers, Cleary and Bennett instead exchanged pleasantries in Friday’s pre-game press conference.<\/p>\n
In a set-up made for a weigh-in style feud, Bennett claimed he was no longer concerned about the topic going into Sunday’s grand final while sat side-by-side with his Penrith counterpart.<\/p>\n
«That’s in the past, I’m sure we’ve both moved on since then and we’ve got our jobs and our teams,» the South Sydney coach said.<\/p>\n
Cleary responded in kind, confirming things were «good» after the pair exchanged a hand shake once getting on stage.<\/p>\n
Instead, Cleary paid tribute to the way Bennett had acted as a mentor to him in his early days as a coach at the Warriors.<\/p>\n
«Wayne actually helped me when I first started coaching,» Cleary said.<\/p>\n
«He didn’t need to but he did. He gave me a few tips that I still use today so I’m very grateful for that.»<\/p>\n
Bennett and Cleary’s history is further entwined.<\/p>\n
Cleary was at one stage linked with Brisbane’s coaching job after Bennett left the Broncos for the first time at the end of 2008.<\/p>\n
Bennett would also have been the man to take the Penrith job in 2019 if Phil Gould had his way, before Panthers chairman Dave O’Neill approached Cleary.<\/p>\n
Getting the better of Bennett in a grand final will be a tougher task for Cleary.<\/p>\n
Bennett has won seven of nine grand finals since linking with Don Furner at Canberra in 1987, and also won a Brisbane Rugby League title at Souths in his final year there in 1985.<\/p>\n
But there is little question Penrith are better prepared this year than last.<\/p>\n
Cleary confirmed on Friday that fullback Dylan Edwards was on track to overcome a foot injury and play after training as normal this week.<\/p>\n
Edwards is now one of 13 Panthers to have grand-final experience, compared to just three last year.<\/p>\n
Six of Penrith’s squad have also made their State of Origin debuts since, joining Nathan Cleary in as many as six games for NSW or Queensland.<\/p>\n
«A lot of other games as well since (the grand final help too),» Ivan Cleary said.<\/p>\n
«Playing in a grand final, if you haven’t, is definitely an experience and obviously losing one isn’t a great feeling.<\/p>\n
«But a lot of our boys have gone on to play Origin this year and some of our recent games have been good ones to have in the memory bank for experience.<\/p>\n
«All of those games should help us this weekend.»<\/p>\n