Ivan Cleary has mixed success in Wagga throughout his playing days and the Penrith coach is hoping to leave the city on the positive side of the ledger on Saturday.
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Cleary scored a hat-trick in the city's first NRL game in 1998 and now he's back at the helm of the Panthers for the second.
Part of a big Sydney City win against the Gold Coast Crushers at Eric Weissel Oval, Cleary scored 22 points in the Roosters' 34-10 win.
It's a game he still remembers.
"Those sort of things (three tries) didn't happen very often but we had a win there and I do remember that game," Cleary said.
"I've been down there for a couple of trial games and what not but Wagga is a big sporting town and I'm really hoping the locals get behind it."
However there isn't all fond memories of the city.
He also dislocated his hip playing in a trial game.
Cleary expects a real buzz at Equex Centre for the clash with Canberra and is more than happy for another trip into the bush after hosting Melbourne at Bathurst earlier this season.
"I'm a fan of going to country venues and I feel it's a really good initiative so hats off to the Raiders for this week," he said.
"We're looking forward to getting down there and always at these games the town is buzzing and everyone is pumped about it."
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It's been a bad start to the season for the Panthers, who have won just two of their seven games.
Cleary is hoping they can build on an improved performance in a four-point loss to the in-form South Sydney and come away with a needed win.
"I thought we definitely made some strides last week and I felt like it was our best performance," he said.
"There is a few things in there, and they took their chances and we probably didn't and that's a probably reflection of how the two sides have been going.
"All in all we definitely played better and got some confidence and belief out of it."
Penrith have named an unchanged side, including having Temora junior Liam Martin on the bench.
Sitting 14th on the ladder, and with plenty of off-field distractions over Phil Gould's impending departure, a win couldn't come at a better time for the Panthers.
It's something Cleary is well aware of.
"Obviously the further you get into the season the more important it is start putting the wins on the board," he said.
"We are definitely aware of that."
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