No cracks for Cleary as Latrell's words set up showdown
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Ivan Cleary said there was a time and place for Jarome Luai and Jaeman Salmon to voice their frustrations last week but smirked at suggestions the side’s dominance was showing signs of ending.
Rabbitohs star Latrell Mitchell told Channel Nine this week that “cracks in the windscreen” were beginning to appear at Penrith ahead of their clash on Thursday night.
The Panthers have lost their past two games by a field goal – in the World Club Challenge and season opener against Brisbane – with Mitchell out to hand the premiers a third-straight loss on home turf.
Off the field and the Panthers have lost Api Koroisau and Viliame Kikau to rival clubs while Stephen Crichton and Spencer Leniu are also set to depart at season's end.
The heated exchange between Luai and Salmon after the Broncos loss only added to the narrative of Mitchell's comments.
Match Highlights: Panthers v Rabbitohs
Cleary said Mitchell’s comments won’t be a focus but could be added motivation for his players each individually.
“I don’t know, you’d have to ask Latrell... I don’t think so,” Cleary said when asked if cracks were indeed starting to appear in his side.
“I think we’ve had a really good pre-season. It’s been short, we’ve done plenty of things right, especially last week but not really to the standard we want.
“The Broncos were good enough to win that game but other than that… no [there are no cracks]. I don’t know if it’s a [quick] fix but more evolution really.
“Everyone’s keen to get their first win and we’re no different, we want to get our season up and running.”
Match: Panthers v Rabbitohs
Round 2 -
home Team
Panthers
4th Position
away Team
Rabbitohs
15th Position
Venue: BlueBet Stadium, Penrith
The Rabbitohs have plenty of reasons to feel motivated themselves with Penrith’s recent stranglehold against the Bunnies there for all to see.
The Panthers have won nine of their past 10 games against the Rabbitohs including two preliminary final wins and grand final success to bundle Jason Demetriou’s side out of the premiership race in the last three years.
“We’ve had some really good battles with them in some big games,” Cleary said.
“It’s a great opportunity and a blessing to be part of these big games. Souths are a great side and we’re fortunate to be playing in these games.”
Meanwhile, Cleary addressed the post-match scenes involving Luai and Salmon ahead of training this week with the pair clearly not showing any signs of it continuing into Round 2 with a cheeky image published by the club on Tuesday.
"We had a chat – got them in the headmaster’s office – the situation was quite humorous… but we can all see how it wasn’t a great look," Cleary said.
"It was just a bit of frustration but nothing more than that. You want them to compete hard and that’s what they were doing."
