The NRL was recently taken by surprise as Penrith Panthers coach Ivan Cleary reached a major milestone in his career. On Saturday, Cleary became the first coach in the history of the NRL to reach 400 games.
The milestone was marked with a special ceremony at Panthers Stadium, with the Panthers players and staff gathered around the field to celebrate the achievement.
Cleary, who has been coaching since 2003, has been at the helm of the Panthers since 2012 and has led the team to two grand finals and a minor premiership.
The Panthers were caught off guard by the news of Cleary’s 400th game milestone, with many of the players unaware that he had even reached such a feat.
“I didn’t know he was that close to 400 games,” said Panthers captain James Tamou. “It’s a great achievement and it’s something that we should all be proud of.”
The milestone was also celebrated by the NRL, with the league’s CEO Todd Greenberg congratulating Cleary on the achievement.
“Ivan is one of the most respected coaches in the game and his 400th game is a testament to his hard work and dedication,” said Greenberg.
The milestone is an incredible achievement for Cleary, and one that will be remembered for years to come. It’s a reminder of how far the NRL has come in recent years, and a reminder of how much Cleary has contributed to the game.
The Panthers will be looking to make Cleary’s 400th game a memorable one, as they take on the Manly Sea Eagles on Sunday. It’s sure to be an exciting match, and one that will be remembered for years to come.
