'Best four years of my life': Elliot Minchella expresses gratitude to departing Hull KR boss Willie Peters
Elliot Minchella has paid an emotional tribute to Willie Peters after hailing his time with the departing Hull KR boss as "the best four years of my life".
Peters' transformative spell in charge came to an untimely end on Saturday as the defending Super League champions fell at the first hurdle in the play-offs.
Rovers had been hoping to secure an Old Trafford swansong for the Australian, only to suffer a 35-12 defeat to Warrington Wolves.
Peters' legacy at Craven Park had long since been secured after delivering the quadruple but Minchella admitted it was still difficult to see his reign end on such a flat note.
"Disappointment is the main feeling," said the KR captain.
"We just had a chat in there about the last four years under Willie. We're obviously very proud of the journey we've been on.
"I just said in there that it's been the best four years of my life. He's transformed the club. The things we've achieved you could only dream about achieving. We wouldn't have done that without him.
"I'll be forever grateful to him. For what he's done for our club and me personally, I can't thank him enough.
"I feel sad at the moment. There are some boys moving on as well who I've made some real memories with. It's a bit of a strange feeling."
While they added the World Club Challenge to last year's treble in February, a shock defeat to York Knights had already set the tone for an unconvincing league campaign.
The Robins suffered 11 defeats during the regular season – compared to five in 2025 – and ultimately could not recapture the old magic at Warrington.
"It's been up and down," added Minchella, reflecting on the campaign. "We probably haven't been good enough, really.
"In sport, you tend to get what you deserve and the best team won on the day. I thought we lacked discipline and that's probably been the story of our year – lacking discipline when it mattered the most.
"If you do that against good teams, you'll get punished. Warrington deserved to progress and we wish them all the best for next week.
"Internally, we're just disappointed."
Nathan Cayless has been tasked with building on the foundations laid by Peters, who will embark on a new challenge in the NRL with PNG Chiefs.
Peters will spend next season preparing for the Chiefs' entry into the southern hemisphere competition in 2028.
Minchella has backed the 47-year-old to make a similarly significant impact at the NRL's newest franchise.
"I wish him all the best for what he does next," said the loose forward.
"He's challenged me and knows how to press my right buttons. His people skills are second to none.
"He knows how to get the best out of everybody. What works for me is probably different to someone else – and he nails that with everybody.
"The proof has been in the pudding and I'm sure he'll be a massive success Down Under. We'll be supporting him from afar."