Panthers coach Ivan Cleary has opened up on the tough decision to drop Matt Eisenhuth ahead of the grand final, conceding it was the “worst part” of his week.
Eisenhuth was originally named on the bench for Penrith’s grand final clash with Melbourne but with Scott Sorensen returning from injury someone had to make way — and it was him.
The 32-year-old was delivered the news by Cleary in the days leading up to the game with the coach revealing he was the one that needed comforting afterwards.
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“That was the worst part of the week for me having to deliver the news to him that he wouldn’t be in the 17,” Cleary said on the live stream of the Merv Cartwright Medal.
“But he actually comforted me when I told him rather than the other way around. That just explains what Eiseo’s like.
“He’s averaged 16 games a year over the last four years so he’s been a huge part of our success each and every year and he’s a big part of why we are who we are.”
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Eisenhuth still received a premiership win after the Panthers’ 14-6 win and was honoured at the presentation night with the Clubperson of the Year award — which was declared by Cleary as the “best award of the night.”
Also speaking on the live stream Eisenhuth admitted the honour was “probably not something I’ve thought about ever winning” but said it was an “honour.”
Although Eisenhuth didn’t play he was very much “into the game and riding every part of it” while he sat on the bench.
He’s been at the club for all four of the Panthers’ premierships having arrived ahead of the 2021 season but is yet to get the chance to play in a grand final. He hopes that can change soon.
“It’s better than sitting in the stands like I have the last couple of years. I was one step closer this year and am here for another two years so hopefully I’ll get in the 17 next year,” Eisenhuth said.
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It’s yet to be formally announced by the club but Eisenhuth has inked an extension that will keep him at the foot of the mountains until the end of 2026 — a decision he said was “definitely” easy to make.
“When I was coming off-contract, I was probably just going to go with the best deal that was security for my family. As soon as we started talks with Penrith, the security was here,” he added.
“I don’t see why anyone in my position would want to leave. It’s the best club in the world… winning comps and winning games no matter if you’re in first grade or reserve grade… I like winning games.”
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The Panthers players that aren’t taking part in the Pacific Championships are enjoying a well-deserve break. As is Cleary, who at the awards night last week was still letting the four-peat sink in.
“It’s the time of my life, time of our lives,” he said.
“It’s a little bit surreal… probably because we’re so process driven that when you actually climb the mountain you just can’t quite believe it.
“The way it was set up, against Melbourne — such an amazing club — we sort of went in as underdogs. That might’ve been an advantage somehow… I don’t know.
“A bit of validation too, when you beat someone like the Storm — who had such a great year — it’s like ‘well you’ve really earnt that’.
“Even the game itself, that was a tough game and we had to be right near our best to win so that was a good feeling.”
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