The Panthers dynasty is built off a team model shaped from the ability of two men – Nathan and Ivan Cleary.
Ivan has proved himself as a mastermind coach, equipped with innate hindsight, that has allowed him to develop a flourishing roster full of development and x-factor.
Meanwhile, son Nathan is the NRL’s hottest player – he is without a doubt, the game’s most influential footballer.
Combine a strategic brain on Cameron Smith-like level with a crisp kicking, ever-improving running game, Cleary is invaluable.
Nathan and Ivan Cleary after the 2021 Grand Final win. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
If there’s still a member in the crowd that wants to argue, go to the glaring three-peat premiers’ feat. It takes incredible momentum and discipline to achieve back-to-back gongs – but the trio of first class honours illustrates an unprecedented empire in the NRL era.
The Clearys are signed with Penrith until 2027, but with a changing competition linked with new clubs and foreign expansion, club administration wants to tie up the duo without worry.
Panthers CEO Brian Fletcher has presented a generous extension over five years, from 2028 to 2032. The No.7 would take home $1.5 million a year, while coach Ivan pockets $1.2 million annually.
The monster $13.5 million deal would mean Nathan playing until 34. At 26, Cleary has racked up 1449 career points and is past halfway on his journey beyond Smith’s NRL high 2786.
Yet, staying in Penrith with father Ivan may not be the only allure. Younger brother Jett, who is bound for the Warriors in 2025 – will be a free agent in 2028, that same year in which the even richer extensions for dad and older brother are set to begin.
Jett, 19, has experience in both playmaking positions, meaning if time and health persists, a second Cleary son could link up at Penrith.
The family operation could see Jett and Nathan steering the halves, a combo that hasn’t been seen in rugby league since Andrew and Matthew Johns.
It would be the perfect building block for the career of young Cleary, who will be thrown into the fire at New Zealand. Cleary will be relying on Shaun Johnson to help him navigate the NRL, while Luke Metcalf seems the long-term option at No.6 for the club.
Metcalf fractured the tibia of his right leg in round four this season and is poised for a late return this year. He is a strong runner of the pill and has a dazzling turn of foot that the Warriors have missed.
Shane Flanagan and Kevin Walters are the other two mentors to coach their sons in the current game, but are well off the success and culture the Clearys have created.
With the going rate of contracts and the ever-increasing salary cap per annum, the Penrith skipper may be asking for a little more coin.
In 2024, the base salary cap stands at $11.25 million for every top-30 squad. In 2027, this number will increase to $11.7 million – meaning Cleary’s hefty fee would take up almost 13% of Penrith’s cap for 30 men. One man taking the value of over three – with the halfback’s skill set, it does check out.
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Back 10 years ago, this salary was less than half at $5.5 million, so it seems fair to suggest Cleary could be a $2 million per year player towards the latter stages of his already illustrious career.
The two-time Clive Churchill medal winner is making plays off the field, announcing the opening of a new sports bar in Penrith coined ‘Freddys’. As it stands, Cleary is currently on a contract around $1.3 million a year – therefore the $200,000 upgrade in 2032 isn’t exactly mouth-watering.
With the inclusion of clubs in Papua New Guinea and the possibility of Perth, big cash will be thrown out at marquee players to get the ball rolling, which Wayne Bennett arguably failed to do at Redcliffe. Bennett instead opted for youngster Isaiyah Katoa, who is a highly promising No.7, but is taking a few seasons to find his straps.
“There’s no risk for Penrith in signing them both long term,’ Cleary’s agent George Mimis told the Daily Telegraph.
“They’re a beautiful family, they’re loyal, and they genuinely love Penrith, the region and the community. We’d definitely be open to having a discussion.
“They’ve developed that great culture, so why would they want to look elsewhere?”.
Well, money can make a man do anything. Daly Cherry-Evans was heading to the Titans for it … until he was offered more.