New Penrith coach Ivan Cleary will become an enthusiastic member of the NRL's frontline defence against the AFL in Sydney's west, labelling it an even bigger challenge than lifting the ailing Panthers.
After just two days at the helm, Cleary already recognises and understands the enormity of the job confronting him and the Panthers in the fight against AFL's infiltration.
In a wide-ranging interview with Sportal, Cleary discussed:
• His plans to rejuvenate the club after several years of failure;
• The challenge of taking on the AFL in Sydney's west;
• His relationship with Panthers high profile boss Phil Gould;
• His plans to lean on Penrith greats for assistance and advice
The Panthers have made the finals just once in the past seven seasons - an embarrassing record only matched by South Sydney.
Cleary, who guided the Warriors to last season's grand final, has been brought in to breathe new life into a club that is pivotal to the NRL's fightback against new AFL franchise GWS.
"I'm not sure what's happened here over the last five years but I do know it's not easy being successful in the NRL," Cleary said.
"I've always looked at Penrith as a strong club with a solid rugby league community behind it."
"It's got a great junior area and produced some great players over the years."
"All I can do is to come in and try and do my bit but so far the feeling is good and very positive."
"I am not going to make any bold predictions but the plan is to be competitive in every game we play."
Cleary has only been in the Penrith district a matter of weeks but already appreciates the massive fight rugby league has ahead of it to stay the football code of choice for people in the west.
The aggressive GWS are just down the road at Blacktown and will play their first competitive AFL match in March - in direct competition to the NRL kick-off.
Cleary said of the AFL challenge: "It's pretty obvious they (have) a big strategy in place and plenty of resources and they're having a real go."
"It's (taking them on) an even bigger challenge than the Panthers."
"I owe everything to rugby league and I think we should all feel that way as stakeholders of the game."
"We need to do everything we possibly can to ensure it remains the greatest game of all, which I'm sure it will."
"A big part of what we're doing is making sure we're engaged with the community and showing the kids there is a pathway if they're good enough to play for the Panthers."
"But I think if everyone gets behind rugby league and does their bit then we'll be fine."
Gould, the most outspoken figure in the game, is spearheading rugby league's fight for control of the west.
According to Cleary, 'Gus' is the perfect man for the job.
"I can only see positives with a guy like Gus," Cleary declared.
"He's one of the most influential guys in the game and knows it inside out and loves it."
"His greatest quality is he has a real passion for what he is doing."
"I am really happy to be working with him and being part of it all."
Cleary grew up on Sydney's northern beaches before spending the past decade in New Zealand as a player then coach of the Warriors.
He is undergoing a crash course in the