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It hasn’t reached the ‘Ebook of Feuds’ ranges between the Rabbitohs and Roosters, however the rivalry between a few western Sydney golf equipment continues to accentuate with Luke Garner the newest chapter in one in every of rugby league’s most fascinating tales.
When Ivan Cleary arrived on the Wests Tigers in 2017, he was seen as the person who might flip issues round at a membership that has been starved of success since their 2005 premiership.
He informed gamers to get on the bus as he rebuilt the membership, bringing in veterans and eliminating anybody who didn’t need to be there.
The outcomes have been encouraging with the membership producing a few gritty upsets over the Roosters and Storm to start out the 2018 season giving long-suffering followers cause to consider that the membership was on course.
However then the driving force ditched the bus to return to Penrith to educate his son, Nathan. You may’t begrudge a father for doing that, and also you solely have to have a look at their current success to comprehend it was the fitting transfer for Ivan.
Panthers followers are glad to have him again, however Tigers supporters haven’t forgotten. Cleary blew them kisses after a recreation just a few years in the past, whereas he was referred to as a banker at Leichhardt Oval final yr, or no less than that’s what it appeared like.
And though he’s not on the membership, Cleary and the Tigers appear locked on the hip in additional methods than one.
That’s the place Luke Garner is available in.
He’s signed a two-year deal to go west subsequent season the place he’s set to interchange Bulldogs-bound Viliame Kikau on the left edge.
Is it a coincidence? In all probability. However he’s the newest participant to make the transfer, becoming a member of guys like Matt Eisenhuth and Robert Jennings, whereas the Tigers have enticed former Panthers James Tamou and Daine Laurie to Harmony, with Api Koroisau set to hitch them subsequent yr.
“I haven’t actually thought of [the rivalry] and it’s one thing that we’d deal with in the course of the week,” Garner stated forward of Sunday’s recreation at CommBank Stadium.
“I don’t know if there’s one thing happening with the recruitment or if we’re simply swapping gamers right here and there. Clearly Ivan was right here and he’s bought an enormous affect over why among the Tigers gamers find yourself at Penrith.
“It is likely to be the elephant within the room sort feeling. They’re most likely the benchmark within the competitors so we’ll simply look to match them.
“It’s a bit little bit of a bizarre one, however I’m not there but. I’m nonetheless enjoying for the Tigers so I’ll look to place my greatest foot ahead and jag the 2 competitors factors.”
Shedding gamers and seeing them flip into stars has been an actual subject for the Tigers through the years, and there are fears that Garner will grow to be an elite edge ahead enjoying outdoors among the recreation’s greatest stars.
Josh Aloiai is likely one of the gamers who left the Tigers and has constructed his recreation up after just a few seasons with the Sea Eagles, and he’s assured Garner can do one thing related at Penrith.
“Garner is an effective buddy of mine so I’m joyful for him,” Aloiai stated.
“This will probably be a great transfer for him as a result of Penrith is likely one of the greatest techniques in the intervening time and it reveals with how they’re happening the sector. He’ll thrive having that type of system and that can convey out his greatest.”
The Cleary issue was one of many causes Garner determined to hitch the Panthers after the pair spent some collectively in 2018 when the 26-year-old made his NRL debut.
“I solely performed a few video games underneath him so I didn’t get used to it an excessive amount of. However that’s one thing I’ll take into consideration as soon as I get there,” he stated.
“I do know just a few boys over there as nicely and so they’re clearly a great facet so there have been a few issues that made me need to go over there.
“I hope I match into the staff very well and play my function. That’s one thing that I’ll begin fascinated with once I recover from there.”
Garner stated working with assistant coach Andrew Webster was one other large cause why he wished to hitch the Panthers, however the former interim coach on the Tigers received’t be there in 2023 after he agreed to take the reins on the Warriors.
“I do know Ivan very nicely and Andrew Webster was right here as nicely, however sadly he received’t be there. I used to be spewing about that information however I’m stoked for him to get a head coach function as a result of that’s what he wished,” the back-rower stated.
“I believe Webby will do nicely. He was a very good coach right here. You have a look at how Penrith are going and I’m positive he contributes to that. I’m simply stoked he will get that gig and will get to indicate what he can actually do.”
The Cleary subplot will probably be one of many greatest speaking factors going into Sunday’s recreation, however the Tigers have greater issues to fret about.
They’re rooted to the foot of the desk, they’ve simply introduced a brand new teaching construction going ahead, and so they’ve lastly made modifications to the halves after a tough run of outcomes.
A win in opposition to the ladder-leaders appears out of the query, however their hopes have been given a lift with Penrith’s seven Origin stars incomes the week off.
The Tigers did beat the Panthers in nearly equivalent circumstances final yr, however Garner doesn’t suppose it’ll be as straightforward this time round.
“The Panthers have loads of depth and so they’re the benchmark of the competitors so there’s by no means a great week to get them,” he stated.
“We beat them right here at Leichhardt Oval final yr so we’ll be trying to do the identical once more.”
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