James Fisher-Harris opens up on tough Ivan Cleary conversation after Warriors move
Panthers star James Fisher-Harris has opened up on the tough conversation he had with Ivan Cleary after deciding to leave the club to return home.
Fisher-Harris will join the Warriors next season, despite having two years to run on his contract.
The Panthers gave Fisher-Harris permission to leave, despite him being one of the best front-rowers in the competition.
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Fisher-Harris now potentially has two matches left for Penrith, if they win against the Sharks this week and play in the grand final.
James Fisher-Harris and Ivan Cleary embrace. Nine/Getty
The 28-year-old told 9news Sydney the fact he's leaving hasn't sunk in.
"To be honest no. I don't know why, I thought it'd be sinking in now," he said.
Fisher-Harris' decision to return to New Zealand came after his grandfather's death in March.
"Been in the back of my head for a while but I think that really hit it, when I went back home and saw my pop," he said.
Leaving Penrith wasn't easy though.
Having won the last three premierships, Fisher-Harris has been one of those most integral parts of that three-peat.
The first conversation he had to have was with coach Cleary.
"It was probably one of the toughest things I've had to do in my footy career," he said of the conversation.
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Then came the time to tell his teammates.
"It felt pretty f---ing shit holding it in, seeing them everyday and not letting them know how I was feeling," he said.
"When I got that off my chest to the boys and coach, it was a weight off my shoulders."
Despite his impending move, Fisher-Harris declared he'll be training at Penrith in the off season "until they kick me out, until I leave".
Before that though there's one more premiership ring he wants to claim with the Panthers.
Asked if he was proud to be titled a three-time premiership winner, the prop declared he's not done with winning yet.
"Yeah, you could say that, proud. But not finished," he said.
