weekender the western Friday, October 23, 2015 • Issue 1226
www.westernweekender.com.au
Effie tells it like it is
PROUDLY INDEPENDENT
HEALTH & WELLBEING
Our line-up of experts bring you the best health tips and advice p.31-37
Panthers hook new coach • Ivan Cleary sacked • Griffin to take over • Gould takes full responsibility NATHAN TAYLOR
T
She’s a Greek goddess – and she knows it! p.41
Fang-tastic time for kids p.19 NOISE RELIEF Aircraft noise won’t cause major issues in Penrith p.10
he Penrith Panthers saved one of the biggest rugby league stories of the year until the off-season, sacking coach Ivan Cleary and signing former Brisbane mentor Anthony Griffin to a three-year deal. 49-year-old Griffin, nicknamed ‘Hook’, was unveiled as Penrith’s new coach after the final year of Ivan Cleary’s contract was dramatically terminated on Monday afternoon by Panthers Executive General Manger, Phil Gould. Speaking at a packed press conference at Pepper Stadium on Wednesday, Gould said he felt it was the right time for the club to have a change of coach. “We did not advertise this position, we did not accept applications and we interviewed no other candidate. Our decision was that Anthony Griffin, and the knowledge that I had on him as a person and a coach, was the man that we wanted to run this organisation,” he said. “Anthony’s experience, in particular his background in developing elite junior talent through to NRL level, made him the perfect fit for this club. “We are certain he is the man to take advantage of the tremendous foundations established by our previous head coach Ivan Cleary.” It’s understood Gould had been secretly negotiating with Griffin, who was set to coach Redcliffe in the Queensland Cup next year, for some time. Gould revealed he spoke with a “number of people” at the Brisbane Broncos about Griffin’s strengths and characteristics. Story continues on » p. 3
Phil Gould welcomes Anthony Griffin to Penrith on Wednesday. Photo: Megan Dunn
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