Blunt Cleary addresses shock call to axe Panthers star: NRL Early Mail
Panthers coach Ivan Cleary has addressed the decision to drop Paul Alamoti ahead of Sunday’s Western Sydney derby against Parramatta.
Alamoti has been one of Penrith’s more consistent performers this season, with his yardage carries particularly valuable when Brian To’o was out injured while he has also been a reliable finisher on the wing.
While it would make sense to keep McLean in the team if Penrith was looking towards the future, the fact Cleary has named all his Origin players to back up suggests he is instead simply looking to name the best possible 17.
That is consistent with what Cleary said on Wednesday when asked about Alamoti’s omission.
“I make the best decision for the team each week,” a blunt Cleary replied.
Meanwhile, the buzz of being back in the Origin arena could have a “flow-on effect” for a slew of Penrith stars involved and boost their chances of a last-placed Panthers revival.
Cleary said, barring injury, the likelihood of players including his superstar captain and son Nathan turning out on Sunday was increased given the Panthers had a bye before the players went into Origin camp
Things don’t get easy for the Panthers, with games against the third-placed Warriors and ladder leaders the Bulldogs to come over the Origin period.
But four-time premiership coach Cleary is adamant ladder positions mean little in a tightly contested season, and fuelled by their Origin experience, there’s a chance for his team to surge.
“(This season is) about as even as I can remember and that’s what the game wants,” Cleary said on Wednesday.
“In that sense it also gives you a lot of hope that you can get a few and get yourself going.
“Put some weeks together, consistency, then you’re right back in the mix.”
“I really think that’s a real opportunity for us.
“I can only imagine there’d be nothing like it (Origin), just the energy and the build up, it would be pretty cool.
“I definitely hope there’s a flow-on effect for us after that.”
Cleary also knows with just three wins and a draw from 11 games, there’s not the same opportunities as in previous seasons for him to rest his Origin stars over the next month.
“There’s different circumstances, we had a bye before Origin so all those boys had a rest which we haven’t had before,” Cleary said.
“Each year brings new challenges depending on how you’re going, where the games are played, what day they’re on, all that kind of stuff.”
The Panthers this week return to their new “home” at CommBank Stadium, where they are yet to record a victory, in stark contrast to their fortress at Penrith that is being redeveloped.
Cleary conceded the move had been a factor in their performances this season.
“It seems like it by results, but it is what it is,” Cleary said.
“That’s (CommBank Stadium) our home ground and we play anywhere, anytime that’s in front of us.”
Read on for Late Mail as it comes ahead of Round 13!
FRIDAY
St George Illawarra Dragons vs Newcastle Knights, 8pm AEST at Jubilee Stadium
Dragons team: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Tyrell Sloan 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Christian Tuipulotu 6. Lyhkan King-Togia 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Jack de Belin 9. Damien Cook 10. David Klemmer 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Hamish Stewart 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Toby Couchman 16. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 17. Blake Lawrie 18. Emre Guler 19. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 20. Lachlan Ilias 21. Nathan Lawson 22. Hame Sele
Late Mail: To come.
Knights team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. James Schiller 3. Dane Gagai 4. Kyle McCarthy 5. Fletcher Hunt 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Tyson Gamble 8. Tyson Frizell 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Mathew Croker 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Jack Hetherington 16. Brodie Jones 17. Thomas Cant 18. Jack Cogger 19. Jermaine McEwen 20. Matthew Arthur 21. Connor Votano 22. Elijah Leaumoana
However, in a big call, Cleary decided to dump Alamoti to the reserves and retain youngster Casey McLean, who has shown flashes in attack but has been guilty of holding onto the ball too often instead of passing to open wingers.
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