The Panther who chose to play Koori Knockout over watching teammates in grand final [Video]

Inside their Parramatta hotel on the night before the decider, Cleary presented his players with their grand final jersey.

Cleary managed to keep his emotions in check until he got to Luai, who will depart the club after the premiership decider against the Melbourne Storm and head to the Wests Tigers.

Cleary has known Luai for more than a decade and watched him progress through the club’s juniors alongside son Nathan Cleary from when they were 14.

Cleary spoke about his pride in Luai’s journey from a boy to a man, including the satisfaction he has taken from watching him become the husband and father he has.

It’s been a turbulent year for Cleary and Luai, who took exception to comments made by his coach when asked about the prospect of potentially losing his star five-eighth.

Cleary, at the time, said rival clubs would be taking a risk if they …