NRL 2024: Nathan Cleary opens up on secret Melbourne Storm plans to poach him in 2015

Nathan Cleary has spoken out about Melbourne’s secret plans to poach the Panthers star nearly a decade ago, in a sliding doors moment that set up another grand final clash with Jahrome Hughes.

Nathan Cleary has spoken for the first time about Melbourne’s secret approach to sign him nearly a decade ago, insisting he never seriously contemplated leaving Penrith in a sliding doors moment that has led to Sunday night’s showdown with Storm genius Jahrome Hughes.

Cleary unexpectedly appeared on the Storm’s radar after his father Ivan was sacked by the Panthers at the end of 2015 – at the time, Melbourne were asked whether they had an interest in taking Ivan on as a consultant.

They were also told that Nathan Cleary, then a budding superstar who was yet to make his first grade debut, had an out-clause in his contract that could allow the Storm to swoop.

A young Nathan Cleary playing for the Panthers in the U20’s qualifying final against the Sea Eagles in 2015. Picture: NRL Imagery

Melbourne made furtive inquiries as they searched for a successor to Cooper Cronk but were told that Nathan wanted to stay at Penrith and continue playing with his mates – he signed an extension midway through 2016.

Cleary, speaking for the first time about the Storm’s bid to secure his signature, conceded he was largely in the dark about their interest.

“I remember there were whispers but nothing concrete,” Cleary said.

“I was pretty committed to staying at Penrith, I didn’t want to go anywhere else.”

With Ivan Cleary sacked by the Panthers, Nathan had a clause in his contract that allowed him to leave.

Melbourne head of football Frank Ponissi said: “We didn’t at that stage have a young halfback coming through.

“His manager rang me and said, ‘Little heads up, there is a clause in his contract’. We were certainly interested but it didn’t work out.

“Then I remember watching him play his first NRL game against us in Melbourne.

“We thought he was going to be a good player, but in fairness no-one thought he was going to be the player he is today.”

You could say the same thing about the player who became the Storm’s halfback-in-waiting, Hughes. With Cleary out of the equation, the Storm put all their energy into turning Hughes into a No. 7, a decision that has paid off in spades as Hughes prepares to play a leading role in Sunday night’s grand final only days after winning the Dally M as the best player in the game.

After missing out on Cleary, Storm hatched plans to mold Jahrome Hughes into a halfback. Picture: AAP

Storm coach Craig Bellamy knew Hughes had something, but he concedes he never envisioned he would become the dominant player he is today.

“It was a bit of a shock when Coops left and they were hard boots to fill,” Bellamy said.

“What we saw in him at fullback, I thought this bloke has something about him and we have a spot here that needs filling.

“It was not as if we were going to ask him to play in the front row. He took a bit of convincing that it might be an option for him because he saw himself as a fullback as well.

“It took him a little while to really grasp it but that wasn’t through lack of knowledge or ability, it was through a lack of confidence I thought.

“The more he has played, he has been unbelievable. When we decided he would be our halfback, we never thought he would be a Dally M winner one day.

“But that is what he is.”

Nathan Cleary has been at the centre of this Panthers dynasty, as he fights for a fourth straight premiership title. Picture: Getty Images

Hughes deserves the bulk of the credit for that. He has worked hard on his game, watching and learning from some of the elite halves in the competition.

“You can help them with how they prepare and what they learn about the position specifically, but if he doesn’t want to take it on or work as hard as he has worked, it won’t work out,” Bellamy said.

“He has put all that work in not just on the field, but sitting down and watching other halfbacks who have similar attributes to him and learned off that.

“I never saw him being a Dally M winner but we knew he had something in him and he has been a real rock for us.”

Jahrome Hughes capped off a stellar 2024 season with the Dally M medal, as he prepares to take on Cleary in a grand final for the second time. Picture: Getty Images

Just as Cleary has been for the Panthers. On Sunday night, the winner of their personal duel may dictate who takes home the premiership trophy. Nine years after they could have been teammates, they shape as key figures for their respective sides.

“I think they are pretty happy with their decision anyway,” Cleary said.

“It worked out both ways.”