Penrith Panthers hooker Apisai Koroisau says Coach Ivan Cleary has done an “exceptional job” with the side over the pre season preparing them well for the season ahead.

Apisai has been impressed by the way Ivan has “focused on coaching the mentality of being great again rather than focusing too much on the footy stuff”.

“He’s really got us in the mindset of finding a way to push on rather than staying in the same position that we were last year”.

Following the side’s 20-16 win over Penrith, the star hooker revealed some of the players have come out of that game bruised, battered and with injuries.

Click play below to hear the interview.