Nathan Cleary

Nathan Cleary
Born	(1997-11-14) November 14, 1997 Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Occupation	Professional rugby league footballer
Years active	2016–present
Known for	Captain and halfback for Penrith Panthers; NSW Blues representative

Nathan Cleary (born 14 November 1997) is a professional rugby league athlete from Australia who serves as captain and plays the position of for the Penrith Panthers in the National Rugby League. He also represents the NSW Blues in the State of Origin. Recognized as one of the premier talents of his generation, Cleary has featured as halfback in five straight grand finals spanning from 2020 through to 2024. He co-led Penrith to four consecutive premiership triumphs (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024). His individual honors include receiving the Clive Churchill Medal twice, in 2021 and 2023, and being awarded the Dally M Halfback of the Year in both 2020 and 2021. Additionally, he held the role of NSW vice-captain from 2020 until 2023.

On the international stage, Cleary has played for Australia, playing a significant role in their success at the 2022 Rugby League World Cup. Earlier in his career, he represented City NSW in 2017.

Background

Nathan Cleary is the son of Ivan Cleary, a former professional rugby league player and current coach who also coaches him at Penrith Panthers.

Born in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, Cleary spent part of his early years living in Auckland, New Zealand, while his father was involved with the New Zealand Warriors as both player and coach. Initially engaged in soccer during his childhood, he transitioned to rugby league before reaching his teenage years. His junior football experience includes playing for the Mount Albert Lions in Auckland and later for the Penrith Brothers in Sydney. He completed his secondary education at St Dominic's College, Penrith in 2015, where he served as a prefect.

Cleary’s heritage includes Croatian and Ukrainian roots. He is also related to former players Josh Stuart and Jason Death, who are his uncles.

Early career

Cleary progressed through Penrith’s junior ranks, captaining their under-18 team in the S. G. Ball Cup during 2015 after earlier competing at under-16 level in the Harold Matthews Cup. He had brief stints with the Windsor Wolves participating in both the Ron Massey Cup and Sydney Shield, before joining Penrith’s squad for the mid-season National Youth Competition.

Due to his selection—and captaincy—of the Australian Schoolboys team for their series against New Zealand under-18s, Cleary missed Penrith’s 2015 NYC Grand Final. Between 2015 and 2016, he appeared in 20 under-20 matches, accumulating 11 tries and successfully kicking 109 goals, totaling 262 points.

2016

Beginning the year as Penrith’s primary halfback in their NYC side, Cleary earned selection for the Junior Kangaroos squad facing the Junior Kiwis in May. Playing at five-eighth, he scored one try and converted five goals contributing to a 34-20 victory. He made his debut in the New South Wales Cup for Penrith during round 11 but only participated once at this level that season. On 2 June, Cleary secured a contract extension with Penrith through to the end of 2019; this new agreement nullified a 'father-son' clause that would have allowed him to exit following his father’s removal as head coach.

Just two days later, Cleary made his first appearance in the top-tier NRL during round 13 against the Melbourne Storm, playing at five-eighth. Despite a 6-24 defeat, he recorded an impressive 38 tackles. The subsequent week saw him score his inaugural NRL try along with five successful goal kicks contributing to a 31-24 victory over the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles. After an outstanding man-of-the-match display against the South Sydney Rabbitohs in round 15, media outlets commended his poise and kicking proficiency despite being only 18 years old and appearing in just his third NRL game.

Following veteran half Jamie Soward’s departure and Peter Wallace’s transition to hooker, Cleary maintained his role at halfback for the remainder of the season. Although considered a strong candidate for rookie of the year honors, he ultimately finished behind Ashley Taylor. Completing his debut season with three tries and 52 goals across 15 matches, he topped Penrith’s point-scoring charts with a total of 116 points. Furthermore, he was selected for the emerging squad of the NSW Blues.

2017

Cleary was named in Penrith's lineup for the 2017 NRL Auckland Nines and was chosen to represent the NSW City Origin side in the final City vs Country fixture. He concluded the season as the NRL’s top point scorer with 228 points, becoming the youngest player to achieve this feat since 1913. Throughout the year, Cleary participated in all 26 matches for Penrith, crossing for 11 tries and successfully converting 92 goals, while setting a milestone as the youngest athlete to surpass 200 points in a single season.

2018

Starting the 2018 season as one of the premier talents in the NRL, Cleary sustained a knee injury during Round 3 against Canterbury-Bankstown, which sidelined him for approximately ten weeks. Despite this setback, he remained a leading candidate for New South Wales’ halfback role. Upon his return in Round 11 facing his father’s team, the Wests Tigers, Cleary played a key role in Penrith’s 16-2 victory. The following week, he crossed for a try in a commanding 28-2 win over the St George Illawarra Dragons, which led to his selection for the New South Wales rugby league team.

On 6 June, Cleary made his debut for New South Wales in Game 1 of the 2018 State of Origin series, starting at halfback and contributing to a 22-12 triumph at the MCG. Later that week, he delivered the decisive field goal that secured Penrith's narrow 23–22 win against the Canberra Raiders at GIO Stadium. He featured in all three Origin matches that year as halfback for the Blues.

2019

At the beginning of the 2019 campaign, Cleary encountered criticism due to Penrith’s sluggish start. In Round 4, he executed a sideline goal after full time to force extra time against the Wests Tigers, then clinched a 9-8 victory with a 40-metre field goal.

On 27 May, despite Penrith holding just two wins from nine games, Cleary was selected at halfback for New South Wales in Game 1 of the 2019 State of Origin series. Although NSW lost that opener, Cleary retained his position for Game 2 and helped secure a commanding 38-6 win in Perth.

In Round 18 versus St George, he scored one try and converted six goals during Penrith’s 40-18 triumph. Later in Round 25, Cleary amassed an extraordinary personal tally of four tries and nine goals in a dominant 54-10 victory over Newcastle, totaling 34 points—the second-highest individual score recorded in an NRL match—despite Penrith finishing outside finals contention in tenth place.

2020

During Round 12, Cleary contributed one try and seven goals as Penrith overwhelmed Manly with a 42–12 win at Brookvale Oval. In the qualifying final against the Sydney Roosters, he achieved a hat-trick and added a field goal to help secure a tight 29–28 victory.

Cleary faced disciplinary action including a $10,000 fine initially, followed by a two-match suspension and an additional $30,000 fine for violating COVID-19 isolation rules on Anzac Day.

He appeared in 21 matches throughout the 2020 NRL season, including the grand final where Penrith was narrowly defeated by Melbourne with a scoreline of 26–20. Despite an intercepted pass that led to a critical try against his team, Cleary managed to score late and successfully kicked two goals.

Selected once again for New South Wales during the 2020 State of Origin series, Cleary struggled in Game 1 amid calls for his replacement but redeemed himself by earning man of the match honors in Game 2 due to his outstanding kicking performance. Ultimately, NSW lost the series 2-1. Reflecting on that year, Cleary described it as "a roller coaster" filled with significant highs and lows.

2021

During round 10, Cleary achieved a hat-trick and successfully kicked eight goals, contributing to Penrith's commanding 48-12 triumph over the Gold Coast. In the subsequent round, he recorded two tries and ten goals in a 56-12 win against South Sydney.

Cleary played a key role for New South Wales in the first match of the 2021 State of Origin series, kicking eight goals and helping secure a 50-6 victory over Queensland.

On 30 June, Cleary was placed on the sidelines indefinitely due to a shoulder injury. He made his comeback in round 22, assisting Penrith in a 34-16 win over St. George Illawarra.

Throughout the 2021 NRL season, Cleary appeared in 20 games, culminating in Penrith's triumph over the South Sydney in the 2021 NRL Grand Final. He was awarded the Clive Churchill Medal as the match's standout player and was honored as Dally M Halfback of the Year.

On 19 October, Cleary faced a proposed $7000 fine and a breach notice from the NRL after being photographed showing disrespect toward the NRL Telstra Premiership Trophy during celebrations. Although the trophy remained undamaged, the NRL asserted that Cleary and teammate Stephen Crichton had shown disrespect to those commemorated by the trophy.

2022

On 29 May, Cleary earned selection for New South Wales in game one of the 2022 State of Origin series.

In round 14 of the 2022 NRL season, he scored a try and successfully kicked seven goals as Penrith defeated Newcastle 42-6.

During game 2 of the 2022 State of Origin series, Cleary contributed two tries and eight goals to New South Wales’ 44-12 victory over Queensland.

In game 3, with New South Wales trailing 16-12 and less than two minutes remaining, Cleary’s chip kick was intercepted by Queensland’s Ben Hunt, who then scored the decisive try. In round 20, Cleary was sent off during Penrith's 34-10 defeat to Parramatta for executing a dangerous lifting tackle. On 30 July, he was handed a five-game suspension, ruling him out for the remainder of the regular season.

Cleary returned for the 2022 Qualifying Final with an outstanding man-of-the-match performance as Penrith overcame Parramatta 27-8.

He participated in 17 matches throughout the year, including Penrith's victory over Parramatta in the 2022 NRL Grand Final.

In October, Cleary was named in the Australia squad for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup. In Australia’s second fixture, he debuted by scoring one try and converting 12 goals during an 84-0 rout of Scotland. Cleary also featured in Australia’s World Cup final win against Samoa.

2023

On 18 February, Cleary took part in Penrith's narrow 13-12 loss to St Helens RFC during the 2023 World Club Challenge. In round 4 of the 2023 NRL season, he executed a remarkable two-point field goal from 40 metres to level the score at 16-16 against Parramatta; however, Penrith eventually lost 17-16 in golden point extra-time. The following week, Cleary scored a try, kicked eight goals, and added a field goal in Penrith's commanding 53-12 victory over Canberra.

In round 6, he recorded two tries and seven goals as Penrith defeated Manly 44-12. Round 7 saw him kick two field goals—including the match-winner—in a tight 16-15 golden point victory over Newcastle. On 22 May, Cleary was again selected by New South Wales for game one of the 2023 State of Origin series.

During round 14, Cleary suffered a torn hamstring in Penrith's 26-18 win against St. George Illawarra, sidelining him for approximately six weeks. He made his return in round 21 during a convincing 44-18 win over Canterbury.

In the preliminary final of 2023, Cleary scored a try and kicked seven goals as Penrith dominated Melbourne with a 38-4 victory.

Cleary featured in 22 matches throughout the season, including Penrith's narrow 26-24 win over Brisbane in the 2023 NRL Grand Final, securing their third straight premiership. He was awarded the Clive Churchill Medal as man of the match after spearheading an extraordinary comeback from a 16-point deficit despite sustaining a grade 3 torn PCL early in play. With key teammates Jarome Luai, Isaah Yeo, and Scott Sorensen forced off due to injury, Cleary orchestrated all three tries—assisting Moses Leota (62 minutes) and Stephen Crichton (67 minutes), before scoring the decisive try with under three minutes remaining.

2024

On 24 February, Cleary featured in Penrith’s 2024 World Club Challenge final defeat against the Wigan Warriors, contributing a try during the opening half. A hamstring injury on 25 March sidelined him for approximately four weeks. Then, on 12 May, after re-aggravating the hamstring in round 10 versus Canterbury, Cleary was declared out of action for eight weeks.

Cleary made his comeback in round 20, delivering a crucial two-point field goal during golden point extra-time to clinch a 28–26 victory over the Dolphins. The following round, he recorded a hat-trick and successfully kicked seven goals as Penrith dominated St. George Illawarra 46–10. However, in round 24, a shoulder injury sustained in a tight loss to Melbourne forced him out indefinitely.

He returned to play in Penrith’s 30–10 qualifying final triumph over the Sydney Roosters. Throughout the 2024 NRL season, Cleary participated in 13 games, including the club’s 14–6 grand final win against Melbourne Storm.

2025

In May, Cleary earned selection for New South Wales ahead of game one of the 2025 State of Origin series. During round 7 of the 2025 NRL season, he surpassed previous records to become Penrith’s all-time top point scorer in a commanding 40–12 victory over the Sydney Roosters. Cleary took part in all three matches of the series, which New South Wales were anticipated to win but ultimately lost 2-1. He faced scrutiny for perceived shortcomings in leadership and for losing four critical matches against Queensland.

Honours

Individual

• Ben Alexander Rookie of the Year: 2016
• Penrith Panthers Members' Player of the Year: 2016, 2020
• Dally M Halfback of the Year: 2020, 2021
• RLPA Players' Champion: 2020
• RLPA Halfback of the Year: 2020, 2021
• Brad Fittler Medal: 2020
• Merv Cartwright Medal: 2020, 2021
• Clive Churchill Medal: 2021, 2023

Penrith Panthers

• NRL Minor Premiership: 2020, 2022, 2023
• Co-Captain: 2021–2025
• NRL Premiership: 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024

New South Wales

• State of Origin series: 2018, 2019, 2021
• Vice-Captain: 2020–2023, 2025

Australia

• World Cup: 2021

Club Statistics

†	Indicates seasons when Cleary secured an NRL Premiership

Season	Team	Matches	T	G	GK %	F/G	Pts
2016	Template:Leagueicon Penrith	15	3	53	80.30%	0	118
2017		26	11	92	90.20%	0	228
2018		17	4	40	78.43%	2	98
2019		21	10	58	87.88%	1	157
2020		21	8	86	79.63%	4	208
2021†		20	10	94	85.45%	2	231
2022†		17	3	76	85.39%	1	165
2023†		22	8	89	83.96%	5	216
2024†		13	4	50	81.97%	1	118
2025		12	2	40	90.91%	1	88
Career Total		184	64	678	84.33%	16	1,627

Head-to-Head Statistics

Opponent	Matches Played	Victories	Defeats	Draws	Winning Percentage
Template:Leagueicon Broncos	13	8	5	0	62%
Template:Leagueicon Raiders	11	8	3	0	73%
Template:Leagueicon Bulldogs	12	10	2	0	83%
Template:Leagueicon Sharks	12	8	4	0	67%
Template:Leagueicon Dolphins	2	1	1	0	50%
Template:Leagueicon Titans	8	7	1	0	88%
Template:Leagueicon Sea Eagles	13	10	3	0	77%
Template:Leagueicon Storm	14	7	7	0	50%
Template:Leagueicon Knights	10	9	1	0	90%
Template:Leagueicon Cowboys	11	7	3	1	64%
Template:Leagueicon Eels	18	11	7	0	61%
Template:Leagueicon Dragons	8	6	2	0	75%
Template:Leagueicon Rabbitohs	16	11	5	0	69%
Template:Leagueicon Roosters	14	10	4	0	71%
Template:Leagueicon Warriors	10	7	3	0	70%
Template:Leagueicon Tigers	12	9	3	0	75%

Scoring Breakdown Against Each Team

Opponent	Matches Played	Tries Scored	Goals Kicked	Field Goals	Aggregate Points	Average Points Per Match
Template:Leagueicon Broncos	13	5	47	3	118	8.5
Template:Leagueicon Raiders	11	5	46	2	114	10.4
Template:Leagueicon Bulldogs	12	2	38	0	84	7.3
Template:Leagueicon Sharks	12	3	51	0	114	9.5
Template:Leagueicon Dolphins	2	0	7	1	16	12.0
Template:Leagueicon Titans	8	5	33	1	87	10.9
Template:Leagueicon Sea Eagles	13	4	52	0	120	9.8
Template:Leagueicon Storm	14	2	31	1	71	5.5
Template:Leagueicon Knights	10	7	50	2	130	13.0
Template:Leagueicon Cowboys	11	5	39	0	98	9.1
Template:Leagueicon Eels	18	3	57	2	129	7.2
Template:Leagueicon Dragons	8	6	29	0	82	10.3
Template:Leagueicon Rabbitohs	16	6	56	1	137	8.6
Template:Leagueicon Roosters	14	5	65	1	151	10.5
Template:Leagueicon Warriors	10	4	38	0	92	9.2
Template:Leagueicon Tigers	12	1	39	2	84	7.1

Personal life

Cleary is a co-owner of Drink West Brewery alongside Tyson Pedro and Tai Tuivasa.

In October 2023, he expressed his public endorsement for the Yes campaign concerning the Indigenous Voice to Parliament.

Beginning in August 2023, Cleary has been romantically linked with Australian Matildas standout Mary Fowler, with their relationship becoming public knowledge in January 2024.

External links

• Profile at Penrith Panthers
• NRL player profile