NRL Profile: Nathan Cleary

Nathan Cleary is just 26 years old, but has already won three premierships with Penrtith Panthers and he will be crucial as they target number four in 2024.

We take a look at his background and rugby league career to date.

Name	Nathan Cleary
Club	Penrith Panthers
Position	Halfback
Age	28
Total points scored	1421

Odds

Cleary has played a total of 159 games for the Penrith Panthers and has been instrumental in their dominance of the NRL over the last few seasons.

During his time with club he has scored 57 tries, while the damage he does with the boot is even more impressive.

Cleary has booted 588 goals and 15 field goals. Total points scored amounts to 1421, and without him the Panthers would not have enjoyed the success they have.

The influential halfback is set for another big season and he can be backed at 5.50 to finish the campaign as the NRL’s top points scorer.

The Panthers will be going in search of their fourth straight grand final success in 2024, and they will be hard to stop.

They never seem to lose the appetite for success and can be backed at 3.75 to go on and win the 2024 grand final.

Brisbane Broncos are the biggest threat and can be backed at 4.00.

Background

Nathan Cleary was born in Sydney, New South Wales, and came through the junior ranks with the Penrith Panthers.

Cleary soon made his way into Penrith’s National Youth Competition squad, and showed his leadership skills when being named captain of the Australian schoolboys side.

The playmaker showed immense promise at under-20s level when scoring 11 tries and kicking 109 goals in just 20 games from 2015 to 2016.

Cleary made his NRL debut in round 13 of the 2016 campaign, and caught the eye despite the Panthers slipping to defeat against Melbourne Storm.

The week after against Manly Sea Eagles, Cleary scored his first try and booted five goals, and has been the first name on the team sheet since then.

Helped by Cleary, the Panthers have dominated in the NRL over the last few seasons.

After suffering grand final heartbreak in 2020 when losing to Melbourne Storm, the Panthers rebounded and went on to win the next three.

They have also won three minor premierships, while the personal accolades have also been flooding in.

Cleary has won two Clive Churchill Medals for his performances in the 2021 and 2023 grand finals, while he was also named Dally M halfback of the year in 2020 and 2021.

Representative Career

Cleary has also also shone in his representative career with Australia and New South Wales in State of Origin.

The halfback was part of the New South Wales side that won the 2018, 2019 and 2021 State of Origin series against Queensland..

Cleary also played a key part as the Kangaroos triumphed at the 2021 Rugby League World Cup.

What to expect

More of the same. Cleary makes the Panthers tick in the engine room and is set for another big season.

The 26-year-old showed his true class when stepping up to the plate when the Panthers desperately needed him in the 2023 NRL grand final.

Now it will be interesting to see if his game can reach even greater heights in 2024, but Cleary is well on his way to becoming one of the best players to have ever played the game.