‘Don’t see that happening’: Gus puts Cleary to PNG rumours to bed
Updated . First published
Phil Gould believes it would be “extraordinary” if Nathan Cleary were to leave the Panthers after the halfback collected another honour, winning the Brad Fittler Medal for Blues player of the year.
Cleary was instrumental in NSW’s State of Origin series victory and took out the top gong on Monday night, alongside Yasmin Meakes from the women’s side.
Nathan Cleary with the Brad Fittler Medal. NRL Imagery
Fresh off watching his brother Jett debut in New Zealand, Cleary arrived in Sydney as the hot favourite for the medal. His success will only push up his market value as he prepares to head to November 1 ready to listen to offers from rival clubs.
Cleary has been linked with PNG, but the club cannot offer him a deal until November. Penrith will be in the box seat to retain the halfback while there’s also the element of his girlfriend Mary Fowler living in the United Kingdom playing for Manchester City.
Gould, the former general manager at Penrith, wants the 28-year-old to be a Panther for life.
“I would find it extraordinary if he left the Panthers, I just don’t see that happening,” he said on Nine’s 100% Footy.
“PNG? Well unless people know more than me, I don’t see that as being where he’d like to finish his career.
“I think he’s got the chance to do something with the Panthers that might be unrivalled throughout the history of our game. He’s still only 28 ... I still think there’s more to come, more premierships and Origins for him to do.
“I would hate to see him leave Penrith, and I hope that doesn’t happen.”
Due to anti-tampering rules, Gould wouldn’t be drawn on Cleary’s value on the open market.
He did, however, admit a club would pay upwards of $2m a year “in a heartbeat” because the halfback position can never be overrated.
The other element of Cleary’s decision will be the contract of his brother Jett who looks likely to return to Penrith at the end of this season from the Warriors.
Gould wasn’t sure if that’s the case, but revealed he’d spoken to people at Penrith and they were unsure if he would stay.
Jett and Nathan Cleary. Getty Images
As for Nathan’s experience watching his younger brother’s NRL debut at the weekend, the Panthers star spoke on the show before winning the Brad Fittler Medal.
“It was honestly crazy, I still don’t feel like it’s real. I was probably more nervous for him than I was on my own debut,” he said.
“I’ve just always seen him as my younger brother, there’s seven years between us. To see him out there playing NRL for a team coming first in front of a sell-out crowd, it was amazing.”
