David RiccioExclusive

Oct 15, 2024 | cairnspost.com.au | David Riccio |David RiccioExclusive

Ivan Cleary is the Penrith coach you see on TV hugging his famous son Nathan and flashing four NRL premiership rings. An undisputed champion leader of young men, Cleary steered the Panthers to an historic fourth consecutive title last Sunday night, a remarkable feat that his rivals can only dream of. The images we could never imagine are of Cleary struggling to get out of bed, weighed down by depression and wanting to give it all up.

Apr 7, 2023 | dailytelegraph.com.au | David Riccio |David RiccioExclusive

Nicho Hynes is emotional. He’s been asked to think about what the six-year-old wearing a Umina Bunnies jersey would be thinking. The Sharks superstar has to pause. His eyes begin to well with tears. You can sense his mind racing, as he considers the magnitude of his new contract, an almost $7 million six-year-deal, the biggest in the Cronulla club’s history. The kid who couldn’t get a contract four years ago is now the only player in the NRL with a contract until 2029.