He’s trying to have fun with being pitted against his son, but Wests Tigers’ coach Ivan Cleary appreciates the ironic timing of his offspring’s return to NRL action.
Gun Penrith halfback Nathan Cleary makes his comeback against the Tigers at Panthers Stadium on Thursday, after missing seven rounds with a knee injury.
“I can’t believe he’s coming back this week, the irony is unbelievable,” Ivan Cleary told Fox Sports’ NRL 360.
“When he got injured, I obviously felt awful for him, but I did check the draw, and I thought ‘hello, we might miss out,’ but no.
“When you see the draw come out you’re not really looking forward to that week, Certainly in the rest of my house my wife in particular struggles with it.
“She doesn’t even know where she’s going to sit this week, because she’s got really good friends at the Panthers.
“But we have a bit of fun with it, just because you’ve got to.”
Father and son have been in opposition only once and it was Nathan who emerged victorious.
He kicked four goals from five attempts in the Panthers’ 28-14 home win over the Tigers last August.
“Thats the only game where I haven’t really watched him,” Ivan said.
“Every game he plays I watch him like any other father and watch him closely, whereas in that game you are watching your own team and all of a sudden he flashes into the game every now and then.
“He had a kick to put them eight points ahead with about five minutes to go from the sideline.
“The ball sailed between the posts, as I knew it would, and that pretty much ensured a Penrith victory,
“On one hand I was obviously unhappy, but I”m happy for him that he’s kicked that goal, because it’s an important goal for any kid.”
Last season’s leading NRL pointscorer, 20-year-old Nathan has just two games to press his claim for the NSW Origin halfback spot, which he was widely tipped to get before injury cut him down.
No-one could accuse Cleary Sr of family bias about his prodigy’s prospects of making the opening game of the prestigious series.
“Who can say, I don’t know,?” Ivan said.
“I’m sure they are not going to pick anyone who they think is doubtful, especially at a young age like that, but I guess time will tell.”