Dally M 2021: Nathan Cleary on track to obliterate Johnathan Thurston’s record

He may be dominating Dally M winner discussions at the moment but Nathan Cleary’s impressive form won’t guarantee a walk-up start in the Kangaroos side for the World Cup.

Nathan Cleary and Johnathan Thurston.

Nathan Cleary has Johnathan Thurston in his sights.

And Cameron Smith. Throw in Andrew Johns and James Tedesco, too.

Riding high on Penrith’s stunning start to the season, the halfback is on track to obliterate the Dally M records this season, and then pinch Daly Cherry-Evans’ Kangaroos jersey for the World Cup.

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Nathan Cleary at last year’s Dally M Medal count. Picture: Brett Costello

Cleary has posted a staggering 19 points in just 10 games this season, including five perfect games of three points.

Thurston has the record for the highest tally since the Dally Ms adopted their current 3-2-1 system in 1998, polling 36 points in a magical season with the Cowboys in 2007.

Smith (2006 season), Johns (2002) and James Tedesco (2019) are all tied on second with 34-point seasons.

Should Cleary continue his stunning form, he would end up registering around 44 points – wiping out Thurston’s 14-year-old record.

A Dally M record would be stunning vindication for last year’s shock result, when Cleary finished third on 24 points behind Jack Wighton (26) and Clint Gutherson (25) despite being the overwhelming favourite to claim the game’s highest individual award.

Craig Gower, the former Penrith halfback who was denied the chance to win the Dally M Medal in 2003 due to player industrial action, said Cleary must be starting in the Kangaroos side.

“You talk about form, well, Nathan is the form player,” Gower said. “Nathan has to be in the side and he has to be starting. I can’t see it being any different.

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“I don’t think it matters that Daly was there last year. That’s got nothing to do with it. If you want to pick it on form then you pick it on form.”

Kangaroos assistant coach Michael Hagan said the Dally M race was as good as over, while the battle for the Australian No.7 jersey at the World Cup in England later this year was wide open.

Current Dally M record holder Johnathan Thurston. David Kapernick

“Nathan is in exceptional form, from where he was after the grand final when he would have been devastated,” Hagan said. “But he has found another gear since then.

“He would have to very much be in line for the halfback spot. As for the Dally M, it’s ‘put down the glasses’.”

Cleary will miss one club game this year due to State of Origin commitments, meaning he has up to 23 games to claim rugby league’s top individual award and cruise past Thurston.

He sits ahead of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (15), James Fisher-Harris (14) and South Sydney’s returning Latrell Mitchell (13).

In 2007, when Thurston won so convincingly, he had polled 15 points after 10 rounds – four behind Cleary’s current tally.

“If his form doesn’t change, he’s going to be hard to catch. It’s there for him to lose,” said former Manly halfback Matt Orford, who claimed the Dally M Medal in 2008.

“Nathan has gone to the next level. He doesn’t seem to get too flustered under pressure in the crunch moments. He is in the game from the start. He is that far ahead in the Dally Ms. He is in his prime.”

Three-time Dally M winner Andrew Johns tallied 34 votes in 2002. Picture: Robert McKell

Panthers co-captain Isaah Yeo admits he is regularly in awe of Nathan Cleary’s consistent ability to nail the big moments, especially for a 23-year-old.

“Nathan has been phenomenal for us throughout the whole stretch of wins, and he just seems to keep getting better,” Yeo said.

“He doesn’t act young (laughs) - he is very mature, but I’m glad he is the one leading us around.

“What you see on the field is everything he puts in behind the scenes every week. He is the last to leave every single day, he is the last out on the field every single day.

“He is just the ultimate athlete and competitor. If he is not the one with his hands on the ball and setting everything up, he is the one pushing hard off a forward even though they probably won’t pass it to him.”

A News Corp poll this week asked fans who was the best player in the game — Cleary, Tedesco or Tom Trbojevic.

Cleary polled 47 per cent of the vote, well ahead of Trbojevic (30) and James Tedesco (23).

Nathan Cleary has been in the form of his young career.

The poll followed Cleary’s stunning performance against the Gold Coast on Sunday when he smashed the KFC SuperCoach scoring record with 225 points after producing three tries, two try assists, one try contribution, three line breaks and two line break assists.

“To be on 19 points after 10 rounds, wow, that’s phenomenal,” said Gower.

“It just shows you how dominant Nathan has been. He is putting on a master class at the moment and he is getting better and better. He’s a wonderful player who will be here for years to come.

“He is certainly at the forefront of what Penrith do but everyone in the team is giving him the opportunity to play his best football. He has certainly taken that with both hands. There is still a long way to go but I can’t see his form dropping off.

“I’m sure Nathan would rather a premiership than win the award, but if he can get both in the same, I’m certain he’ll take that.”