Cleary reveals contract stance after brother’s NRL bow
George Clarke |
Nathan Cleary concedes there is an appeal to playing with younger brother Jett as the Penrith superstar looks set to leave contract talks on hold until after the NRL finals series.
Cleary was awarded the winner of the Brad Fittler Medal on Monday evening, the 28-year-old crowned NSW’s best player after his heroics helped the Blues clinch the State of Origin series.
Beating Queensland at Suncorp Stadium to win game three is one of Cleary’s career highlights after his ability to translate his killer instinct in club football into Origin was widely questioned.
The Penrith halfback barely had time to draw breath prior to Monday’s awards night at The Star Casino, revealing he had to borrow a suit from his father Ivan after the Cleary family had made the dash to New Zealand to watch Jett’s debut for the Warriors on Sunday.
Jett, 21, also a playmaker, will join Nathan at the Panthers next year but Nathan has yet to decide his own future as he prepares to enter the final 12 months of his existing Penrith deal on November 1.
“I haven’t been in a rush. It’s all the outside world that has made it feel like it’s a rushed decision and it’s not something I want to rush,” Cleary said.
“It’s a big decision, and I feel like one thing’s rolled into another, the Origin period was so hectic and coming out of it we (Penrith) weren’t playing our best footy.
“My mind’s just been elsewhere, and as I said, I never felt rushing through it.
“I have another whole year with Penrith anyway, so it’s probably always felt like it’s so far away and I guess it’s creeping up a bit now, but I’m pretty patient with it.”
The Penrith halfback conceded Jett’s arrival at the Panthers was “something to weigh up” when considering his next steps as he expressed pride at his brother’s impressive NRL debut.
“I think it’s been tough for him at times, obviously with me and dad in his life and always being compared to us,” Cleary said.
“But he’s just taken it in his stride. and I’m so proud of him and so glad it went well for him.
“I never even considered him playing first grade, let alone being able to train alongside him and play alongside him so that is an exciting prospect.”
With a top-two finish locked in, Penrith are likely to consider resting their big names for Sunday’s meeting with Wests Tigers.
The Panthers boast a 4-3 record since Origin and have been far from their ruthless best over the last two months.
They will play either the Dolphins or Sydney Roosters in week one of the finals.
“It’s been pleasing we’ve had finals-like games against the Warriors over there when they were on fire,” Cleary said.
“Then the Roosters and then the Bulldogs on the weekend, that was a finals intensity and I think that’s the best 80-minute performance we’ve had in a while.”
AAP