To celebrate Ivan Cleary’s 53rd birthday today (March 1), the Weekender wants to show its appreciation for the three-time premiership-winning coach of Penrith, with 53 reasons why we love him…
1. For leading the Panthers to three consecutive NRL premierships
2. For his stirring pre-game speeches
3. For his newfound humorous side
4. For his post 2023 Grand Final celebrations on the ‘Today’ show
5. For his 226 games in charge of the Panthers
6. For being the father of Nathan
7. For teaching Nathan how to convert goals
8. For his dedication to the local community
9. For being a former North Sydney Bear
10. For coaching Lebanon
11. For leaving the Warriors to join Penrith
12. For his cheeky smile
13. For being a silver fox
14. For his calm nature
15. For helping local charities
16. For his weekly insights into the game
17. For rarely appearing on ‘NRL 360’
18. For being the best-looking coach in the NRL
19. For being the father of Jett
20. For the ‘Undisputed’ belt idea
21. For choosing Penrith to raise his family
22. For blowing kisses to fans from the coaches box
23. For working McHappy Day
24. For being the father of Indi
25. For making his first grade debut in 1992
26. For donating a kidney to his brother
27. For promoting organ donation
28. For being the NRL’s top point scorer in 1998
29. For his 2021 feud with Wayne Bennett
30. For being the father of Milaya
31. For letting Nathan eat lollies during a post-match press conference
32. For being friends with former Chairman Dave O’Neill
33. For being open with the media
34. For letting his players be themselves
35. For being tough but fair
36. For leaving the Roosters for the Warriors
37. For being the Dally M Coach of the Year twice
38. For guiding Penrith to three minor premierships
39. For reaching four straight NRL Grand Finals
40. For his amazing wife Bec
41. For co-owning a Pinot & Picasso franchise
42. For debuting countless local juniors
43. For not complaining about the referee in Wigan
44. For handing Brian To’o his NRL debut
45. For playing in the 2002 Grand Final
46. For playing 186 first grade games
47. For taking Phil Gould’s phone call in 2011
48. For staying calm under pressure
49. For turning his assistants into NRL coaches
50. For bouncing back after being sacked in 2015
51. For bouncing back after his scary illness in 2022
52. For being Penrith’s most successful coach ever
53. For hopping off the bus
Happy Birthday, Ivan!
Nathan Taylor
Nathan Taylor is the Weekender's Deputy Editor and Senior Sports Writer. He also compiles the weekly Chatter on the Box TV column. Nathan is an award-winning journalist, who has worked at the Weekender for a decade.