‘More of a goal than a Dally M’: What’s left for Cleary to conquer

He’s won three premierships, played in four grand finals, won two Clive Churchill medals, and been a part of three State of Origin series wins. What’s left for Nathan Cleary to achieve in the game?

The last time Nathan Cleary played a rugby league game, the night finished with some predicting he’ll finish as the best player in the game’s history.

Will he be though?

“If you ask me, I think he’s gonna go on to be the best player of all time,” Wigan coach Matt Peet said of Cleary in Manchester this week.

“He’s certainly the best player in the world at the moment.”

Three premierships, four grand finals, two Clive Churchill medals, two-time Dally M Halfback of the Year, three State of Origin series wins, and five Test matches.

For recency bias, throw in the 20 minutes of last year’s decider.

What else is left for him to achieve in the game?

Nathan Cleary is already one of the most awarded men in the game. Picture: Joseph Richardson /Supplied

One hole in his resume can be ticked off on Sunday morning (AEDT), when the Penrith co-captain can spearhead his team to what would be their first World Club Challenge title.

On the first night in Manchester, club legend Royce Simmons shared his regret over failing in the Panthers’ first attempt, also against Wigan, over two decades ago.

“He told us his experience of playing a World Club Challenge and not taking it as seriously as what he would have liked looking back on it, so it’s cool to hear that from him,” Nathan said.

“We won’t making that same mistake. We’ll do everything we can to have no regrets.”

The other hole comes at the back end of the year, just before the finals.

When individual awards are handed out, and the game’s best player is crowned – a coronation Cleary has only ever sat back and watched as his contemporaries walked up on stage.

Johnathan Thurston wore the Dally M medal four times, Andrew Johns three.

“The Dally M is a tough one because the more success you have as a team, more players can get votes each week,” his dad and club coach Ivan said.

“We definitely have shared the votes around which is great and exactly what you want. Having said that, he’s won a couple of halfback awards.

“So he’s obviously had some good years.”

Injuries and, in one particular year, a suspension, have cruelled his hopes of winning in those years. Last season he finished seven points shy despite missing seven weeks through injury.

Johnathan Thurston won the Dally M four times. Picture: Brett Costello

But the 26-year-old refuses to use any individual glory as motivation.

“Something like that is a by-product of what happens throughout the year, so that’s working hard and constantly trying to improve,” Nathan said.

“I wouldn’t say that’s much of a goal.

“If we’re playing well as a team, and I’m playing well and do my job and contribute to the team, then that might happen. But yeah, you know, I don’t really care about that.”

What he does care about is what neutral, yet unforgiving, NSW fans are often quick to bring up when it comes to the game’s premier halfback.

Spoiled through the 1990s and the early 2000s with the likes of Peter Sterling, Ricky Stuart and Andrew Johns, hardened Blues supporters argue Cleary hasn’t dominated the arena.

That’s despite the fact he has been a part of three Origin series wins from six attempts.

But Ivan can’t disagree.

“Look, he knows, and I agree, he can put together a more consistent Origin series,” he said.

“He had a really good one a couple of years ago with Jarome, playing through injury. He just misses the first game for a couple of years. Having said all that, he’s had some big games. “He’s done really well in that arena but the fact when you’re No.7 and the team doesn’t win, the focus is going to come on you. He knows that.”

Peter Sterling with his Dally M.

Nathan says he’s more motivated by his state success, than any individual ones.

“That’s a fire in the belly for sure,” he said.

“You don’t want to think about it too much, but it’s definitely there. I’d say it’s definitely more of a goal of mine than something like the Dally M. I just want to bring success to NSW. “I just really want to be a part of that and contribute to that. So I’ll do everything I can.”

When Penrith return home on Sunday, Nathan will have hoped to ticked off one achievement that is missing from his career.

It’ll be the start of another season where he can further cement his place among the best of all time, from Origin, a possible crack at a Dally M medal, and then a potential fourpeat.

“He’s got a pretty good body of work behind him now and he’s only 26,” Ivan said.

“Daly Cherry-Evans is still playing and he’s 35.

“He’s got a fair bit to achieve between now and then.”

Originally published as ‘More of a goal than a Dally M’: What’s left for Cleary to conquer