Panthers players have seen a different Ivan Cleary this week compared to last year’s grand final build-up after the coach declared he would be “staying in the background” ahead of the 2021 premiership decider.

Last year, Cleary was more than happy to facilitate interviews with his players, answer calls from journalists and have his say on a number of issues ahead of the grand final. Not this time.

Informing journalists he will not be taking calls this week, Cleary’s closed-door attitude has made for a “smoother” lead-up to the grand final, senior players said.

Son and skipper Nathan, in particular, has noticed the difference.

“It’s what he does best; he works well with the group behind closed doors,” Nathan said. “He’s got that personality anyway. He doesn’t want to be on the front pages and in the media too much.”

The change is likely the result of Ivan’s run-in with Wayne Bennett in the lead-up to and aftermath of his side’s semi-final clash against the Rabbitohs.

The two coaches engaged in a war of words ahead of the Rabbitohs 16-10 defeat of Cleary’s side after it was revealed Bennett had contacted the NRL to express his concerns about what he felt were illegal tactics used by the Panthers.

When asked after their preliminary final win over the Storm about whether he would be resuming hostilities with Bennett, Cleary said he would not be going up against the master coach again.