Penrith’s Secret Weapon: Coach’s Wife Bec Cleary Behind Luke Garner Signing
Penrith’s recruitment has long been regarded as one of the best in the NRL, but the signing of Luke Garner ahead of the 2023 season came with an unexpected twist. It wasn’t just head coach Ivan Cleary or his scouting team who spotted Garner’s potential, but Cleary’s wife, Bec, who first saw the spark in the back-rower.
With the Panthers needing a replacement for Viliame Kikau, who had moved to the Bulldogs, Penrith football boss Matt Cameron identified Garner during a 2022 Wests Tigers game. Little did Cameron know, Garner was already on Ivan Cleary’s radar thanks to Bec Cleary’s glowing review. In fact, when Cameron texted Cleary about Garner, the coach jokingly responded, “Are you talking to my wife?” as Bec had already been pushing for the player’s consideration.
Garner, who was initially handed his NRL debut by Cleary at the Tigers in 2018, soon met with Cameron and signed a two-year deal with the Panthers. Garner humorously reflected on Bec Cleary’s role in his recruitment, joking ahead of the NRL grand final, “Maybe Bec’s the recruitment officer, maybe she’s the one secretly picking the team every week. It’s a cool story.”
Luke Garner’s Journey to Success at Penrith
Taking a substantial pay cut to join Penrith, Garner was uncertain if more success was in his future. But any doubts were quickly dispelled when he arrived at the club and saw their unrelenting hunger to win. Garner played a pivotal role off the bench in Penrith’s remarkable comeback victory over the Broncos in the 2023 grand final, securing his first premiership. Now, with another NRL grand final on the horizon, Garner is set to start in the second row as the Panthers chase their fourth consecutive premiership against Melbourne at Accor Stadium.
Garner’s promotion to the starting lineup comes after injury-plagued teammate Scott Sorensen struggled with a hamstring issue. Although Garner hopes to retain his spot even if Sorensen recovers, he remains supportive of whatever decision the coaching staff makes. “I never like giving up my spot, but he is a good friend of mine and an unreal player,” Garner said.
Matt Eisenhuth’s Grand Final Hopes Hang in the Balance
For Matt Eisenhuth, another member of the Panthers’ pack, the grand final could mean missing out yet again. Having been on the sidelines for Penrith’s last three premiership triumphs, Eisenhuth remains optimistic but realistic. If Sorensen is fit to play, Eisenhuth may have to watch from the stands. However, he remains gracious, saying, “We’re all competitive beasts, you are always striving to be in that 17, and sometimes it’s not to be. We’re happy for each other either way.”
As the Panthers prepare for yet another grand final, the contributions of both players and behind-the-scenes figures like Bec Cleary continue to shape Penrith’s incredible run of success.
