NRL: Today was our day says Cleary

Ivan Cleary experienced plenty of ups and downs during his time at the Warriors, and he looked almost apologetic after his side added to Brian McClennan's problems today. Photo / Getty Images.

Ivan Cleary experienced plenty of ups and downs during his time at the Warriors, and the Penrith coach looked almost apologetic after his side added to Brian McClennan's problems today.

Cleary coached at Mt Smart for five years and led the Warriors to the grand final last season. His return to his former club coincided with the sixth successive defeat for the Warriors but he maintained his trademark straight face afterwards.

"It wasn't the world's best game was it," was Cleary's opening thoughts.

"It's just good to win, we haven't done it too often."

This was only the Panthers' seventh win of the season and broke a two-loss sequence. The match, played between two obviously out-of-form sides, suffered for its lack of quality. Cleary's side gifted the Warriors two tries in the opening half and bombed three of their own but had enough belief to keep striving and that persistence paid off.

It was the same old story for the Warriors, who have showed an inability to maintain leads this year due to a leaky defence and a lack of self belief.

Asked about what he thought the best course of action was at his former club, with the owners understood to be losing patience with McClennan, Cleary replied: "I don't know what the full story is. I guess the fact is it's been a disappointing year for them.

"We've got enough problems in our own backyard. The club [Warriors] is obviously smart enough to work out how to go forward. The club is, or it should be, in good shape. There is plenty of talent in the playing roster and a lot of good kids who have had some experience this year, so with that in mind I'm sure they'll work it out.

"Watching that second half, it was like all we've got to do is sort out some of our own issues and we'll get over the line and we couldn't manage to do that until three minutes to go. Both teams looked like they hadn't won much this year ... luckily today was our day."