Warriors release sets stage for Cleary reunion
Jasper Bruce |
Jett Cleary has been released by the Warriors so could make his first-grade debut alongside older brother Nathan during his father’s final year as an NRL coach.
The Warriors confirmed on Wednesday they would release the younger Cleary brother from the final year of his contract, paving the way for a move to Penrith.
The 21-year-old half is set to arrive at the Panthers for the last year of older brother Nathan’s contract, and with father Ivan preparing to leave the club at the end of 2027.
Next year will mark Jett Cleary’s only chance to play under his father at an NRL club, with the four-time premiership-winning coach only open to representative jobs in future.
The younger Cleary joined the Warriors at the end of 2024 but has been stuck down the pecking order at the Kiwi club.
Tanah Boyd, Te Maire Martin, Luke Metcalf, Chanel Harris-Tavita and Luke Hanson were all preferred for NRL opportunities this year.
While Metcalf has signed with St George Illawarra for 2027, the Warriors have signalled their intentions to prioritise Boyd, Martin and Harris-Tavita by re-signing all three this year.
The depleted Warriors have also selected Hanson over Cleary to start in the halves for this week’s away clash against South Sydney.
The Warriors had nevertheless hoped to retain Cleary, who won the NSW Cup grand final and State Championship with the Warriors last year.
“We were keen for Jett to stay but we accept his reasons for wanting to go home,” said Warriors general manager recruitment, pathways and development Andrew McFadden.
Cleary has played 32 NSW Cup games for the Warriors in two years and will remain with the club until the end of the season.
AAP