Geyer said his opinion of the coach who has been at the club since 2005 changed after the way he handled the drowning of backrower Sonny Fai in 2009.
"That was heartbreaking. I think from that day on I've looked at him in a different way and I've admired the way he's got the best out of his troops as well as being the brother everyone needs, not just a coach.
"He looks like a mentor."
Cleary's ability to blood youngsters such as Shaun Johnson slowly was impressive, and now the team was reaping the rewards, Geyer said.
And the former test player says he also admires Cleary's self-contained persona. The coach's stoicism in the face of victory - he allowed himself only a small smile in the coach's box when the Warriors won their preliminary final - was vintage Cleary.
That prompted an Australian commentator to joke this week that Cleary promised to shift in his chair if the Warriors won against the Manly Sea Eagles on Sunday.
"Who would have thunk it? That this mild mannered, if you like, accountant [type] who has rocked up to coach all but the national team is quite the recluse?
"He's got the great knack of knowing how to turn the emotion button off. That's very hard in a game like rugby league. When he played he was effective without being noticed and I think that's the way he coaches."
Former Kiwi and Canberra Raider Dean Lonergan said that come Sunday night Cleary could become New Zealand's new favourite Australian.
"I think he's done an amazing job for the Warriors and league in general in this country. It's a shame to see him go."
