I've noticed that Ivan always carries Mitch Kenny (back up dummy and/or small middle forward) and a genuine back, sometimes a straight outside back.
For example, when we played them last, he had Charlie Staines on the bench. This week, in a huge match up against the Storm, he has Robert Jennings.
I'll be honest, if Arthur picked someone like Staines or Jennings on the bench for us in a big game - I'd be filthy. Simmonson might be a comparable example.
Why does it work for Ivan? I'm not too sure. I suspect his selections don't get scrutinised much though because the team almost never loses.
It seems the rationale is to provide stronger cover for the backs in the event of injury. Penrith play a very up-tempo, speed brand of attack, so maybe it's to ensure their strengths are not diminished by putting a back rower out wide like most other teams do when a back goes down.
Whatever the rationale, it seems to work well he appears to be the only coach to do it consistently. Bellemy has done it on occasions with Pap and Hynes too, but I'd argue that's a bit different because both those guys like playing through the middle and both are way more skilful ball players.
For mine, I'd like to see Perham on the bench to provide genuine cover for the backs, and to see whether he can add some spark through the middle like Pap used to do at the Storm.
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Fair Call. Just coz Cleary does it doesn't mean it right tho. A utility makes sense that can cover multiple positions. Perham makes sense. Russell would some sense as he can cover fullback and centre as well as wing. Having a specialist half or a hooker on the bench doesn't make much sense.
Mate i think you've answered your own question, they are a few wins in front on the table and have done well as much as i dislike them. Its only been an issue for us because some people didnt like JA being the 17ht player, and its all down to opinions, like a....holes we all have one.
I think this is the answer, and it provides the foundation for some of my comments above. Perhaps the other coaches will cotton onto his model and will start replicating it.
100% corryn . Their back 5 are the key to the sustainability of their pack .huge workloads of hard yards by those 5 all great at contact metres which allows for them to be usually kicking on ascendency and field position .
He's probably just getting some miles in some legs in case he needs them come the semis.
They are leading the comp by 8 he could probably experiment and change it up more in coming weeks.
I think he's a switched on coach and there's a method to his madness.
Dare say if he was fighting for the top 4 he wouldn't be trying this.
Because no one cares about the Panthers
Cleary gets a lot of momentum from guys like Leniu, Sorenson and as everyone says their back 5 are massive contributors to their metres. Cleary has lots of options we don't.
It tends to work for old Ivan more often than not... perhaps he needs to change his tactics against us though 🤣
Nice observation JBG, I tend to agree with your riffs summation, it is generally always a case of adopting what works then adapting that to our own system. Yes somewhat experimental but this is what the orf season is for. The question is does BA have the smarts to work this through, from what i've seen BA is a simple kind of coach who respects Bash n barge and honest toilers to get the job done. Some comments here re riffs back 5 and their work load is correct as well, our bench selection and rotation is ordinary and we lose a huge amount of momentum when RCG and Paulo come off - the media and other teams have cottoned on unfortunately.