Updated ,first published
Panthers star Nathan Cleary has given a big update on his playing future, all but ruling out a move to the New Zealand Warriors because of fears he could hold back his younger brother, Jett.
What Cleary does beyond the 2027 season – and even if he is set to hit the market on November 1 – has become one of rugby league’s biggest stories.
The Warriors, where Cleary’s father Ivan coached and played, have been one rival club regularly linked with the full-back, along with the PNG Chiefs paid for with their tax exemptions.
Cleary said he had spent the last few weeks settling back into club life at Penrith after leading NSW to a memorable Origin series win, and was unsure about becoming a free agent.
The Panthers remain hopeful of a deal, and even sit him down with his management in the coming weeks.
Of the move to the Warriors, which was floated this week in News Corp, Cleary said: “I grew up (in Auckland) for a fair (few years), and I’ll admit I was a Warriors fan growing up.
“But at the end of the day, even if that was an option (to play for them), I would be standing in the way of my little brother. I’m not too sure about (doing) that.
“I want to put more thought into it. The last few weeks have been a bit different from Origin, and I’ve been trying to get back into routine with the boys, and get back into regular training.
“That kind of (deal) will work itself out backwards.”
Jett, 21, was in the Penrith system before moving to the Warriors, where he is yet to make his NRL debut.
Nathan was delighted that the Panthers could secure a 24-18 victory over western Sydney rivals Parramatta on Thursday night, but felt badly that one of his kicks hit Tallyn Da Silva’s head from close range, forcing him to leave the field for a head injury assessment, which he later passed.
There was a nice touch when Cleary stepped in to look at da Silva as he rolled in pain while being helped by a trainer in the middle of the CommBank Stadium.
“I didn’t want that to happen; I wanted to see if he was OK (because) it hit his neck a little bit, too,” Cleary said.
“I remember we had a captain’s race, I was practicing 40-20, (former Panther) Api Koroisau was just in front of me, and I did the same. He was wearing an earring, and the earring came off.
“It was the day before the game, and he was lucky he didn’t get concussed. It was the same as (that) tonight.”
Da Silva said he will be fit to play next Sunday against his former club Wests Tigers in what will double as his 50th NRL game.
“It looked like a rocket,” Da Silva said of Cleary’s cannon.
“It hit me in the back of my head, my ears started ringing, and my head was hurting, it hurt a lot at the time, it was my fault because I turned around and shut myself up for a while.
“As soon as I stood up and walked around it went. It has to happen every time. I was just unlucky.”
The Panthers continue to Mudgee next weekend where they play Canberra. Fullback Dylan Edwards misses Eels clash with shoulder injury – not because of the 10 stitches needed for a bad head gash last week – and there’s no guarantee of a comeback against the Raiders. His replacement, Jaxen Edgar, was excellent in his second NRL game.
Winger Tom Jenkins took his season to 26 tries, which broke Rhys Wesser’s long-standing club record of 25 set in 2003 – the year Penrith won the premiership.
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