Cleary’s moment to shine

He may be a four-time Premiership winning coach but last night Ivan Cleary was just like any proud father.

The Cleary family watched Origin I from bay 131 at Accor Stadium, mixing with fans as they watched the Blues’ incredible comeback over the Maroons.

Ivan cut a relaxed figure, enjoying a few drinks and attempting to blend in to the crowd wearing a cap and jacket.

After a rough first half, Nathan produced a stunning final 40 minutes to silence the doubters of his Origin credentials.

Post-game, Cleary climbed into the stands to celebrate with his family and friends.

Nathan Cleary celebrates post-game with sister Indi. Photo: NRL Photos.

Spotted

A scruffy looking Panthers legend Ryan Girlder sitting with fellow Blues stalwart Danny Buderus at Accor Stadium on Wednesday night.

Spotted

An emotional Panthers winger Brian To’o hugging his mum in the stands at Accor Stadium following the Blues’ win on Wednesday night.

Brian To’o after Origin. Photo: NRL Photos.

Reunion has appeal

I told you some weeks ago that Brian To’o would be a particular target of other NRL clubs and the chances of Penrith retaining him were slim.

While To’o can’t speak to other clubs until November, there is no question that a reunion with his good mate Jarome Luai at the PNG Chiefs is a serious possibility.

The To’o and Luai families are close, and given how important family connection will be for those going to the Chiefs, I’m not sure it’ll take all that much convincing for To’o to join his good mate. Especially when he sees the financial offer!

Boss’ exit no great shock

It wasn’t a huge surprise to clubland that NRL CEO Andrew Abdo is stepping down. In fact, many club bosses thought it may happen earlier.

It’s perhaps also no great shock that many of the clubs think Peter V’landys may well take on the CEO role in the long-term, which under the current constitution would require him to step down as Chairman.

“Leading the NRL has been a privilege and the highlight of my career,” Abdo said this week.

“Rugby League has given me opportunities I could only have dreamed of, experiences that cannot be compared and I have made friendships for a lifetime. It has been an honour to be part of the rugby league family.”

NRL CEO Andrew Abdo. Photo: NRL Photos.

Cleary’s Abdo tribute

Panthers coach Ivan Cleary has credited Andrew Abdo for his leadership during his run as CEO, especially during the COVID period. “I think our sport was head and shoulders above a lot of others in that period,” Cleary said. “He and Peter made some really bold decisions then and since then the game has only grown.”

Vossy gets Origin shot

He may be one of the longest serving broadcasters in the game but Andrew Voss finally got to call his first State of Origin match on Wednesday night.

The call for Fox League’s replay and long-term archives is usually looked after by Warren Smith, who has been off since the start of the year battling ill health.

Vossy stepped in and did a great job bringing colour and flair to the Origin call.

Marooned

I’m no Queenslander but I’m enjoying Darren Groth’s Marooned, a new book released through Hawkeye Publishing. Marooned uses a crossroads moment for a rugby league loving family as the spur to look back on Darren’s lifelong love of the Queensland rugby league team and explore the role it has played in shaping and affirming his identity.

Written as a chronological series of funny, thoughtful and accessible essays, the memoir chronicles the author’s unique journey as a Maroon devotee, the highs and lows on and off the field, the key place the team has occupied in the relationship with his father and disabled son, and its necessity in connecting him to his state of origin while living far from home. It’s in all good bookstores now.

Backing the Panthers

We all know Penrith’s businesses do a great job decorating their shops when Penrith make the Grand Final.

I’m told this year, plans are underway for businesses to get the decorations up earlier and for Panther Pride to be shown through the city from mid-year.

It’s designed to back the Panthers’ run towards the Finals and would show just how much the city is behind the footy team. Expect a formal announcement about the initiative in July.

TV talk

Negotiations around the next broadcast deal have started this week.

The big news leaked so far has been that Channel Nine is aiming to get exclusive rights to the entire slate of games, to be split between free-to-air broadcast and Stan.

I’m told it is a somewhat unlikely scenario as the more lucrative deal for the NRL is likely to split the rights between two broadcasters. But Nine has certainly made things interesting.

Channel Nine’s Danika Mason. Photo: NRL Images.

Breen’s blow-up

It was interesting to see Sydney Morning Herald sports boss Neil Breen blowing up about the scheduling of the Panthers v Warriors top-of-the-table clash on a Sunday night at 6.15pm.

Sure, the game isn’t on free-to-air TV but I’m not sure why we’re looking at the Sunday evening slot as such a problem.

It is absolute prime time for TV – Sunday nights are gold – and the kick-off isn’t super late for families to get to the game.

It’s worth noting that Penrith’s match against Manly in Round 9, also in the Sunday 6.15pm slot, rated higher on Fox and Kayo than the Sunday 2pm game against Newcastle and the Sunday 4pm game against Canberra either side of it.

The crowd was also higher than the 2025 average at CommBank Stadium despite the timeslot.

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