Origin comes first as Nathan Cleary earmarks his 21st birthday as date to make call on future
NSW halfback Nathan Cleary has earmarked his 21st birthday in November as the time to make the biggest decision of his life – sign a $1 million-a-year deal with Penrith, Wests Tigers or Sydney Roosters.
Blues
Don't miss out on the headlines from Blues. Followed categories will be added to My News.
NSW halfback Nathan Cleary has earmarked his 21st birthday in November as the time to make the biggest decision of his life – sign a $1 million-a-year deal with Penrith, Wests Tigers or Sydney Roosters.
Cleary will push through a hectic State of Origin series before deciding whether to re-sign with the Panthers or join father Ivan at the Tigers.
The Roosters are the wildcard because Cooper Cronk’s two-year deal expires when Cleary comes off contract.
NEW ERA: What can we expect from Blues rookies?
LATE MAIL: Cowboys lose Bolton, Scott
TRUE BLUE: De Belin’s journey from choirboy to Origin
Cleary will blow out the candles on November 14 – six weeks after potentially winning a premiership with the Panthers – before reaching his much-anticipated decision.
Ivan helped negotiate Nathan’s deal at Penrith, which expires after next season.
But once 21, Nathan will be old enough and mature enough to decide his own future.
“Nathan wants to wait until November to make this decision on his future,” Panthers general manager of football, Phil Gould, said on Wednesday night.
“He turns 21 in November.
“His father and manager talked him into this current contract with Panthers, which he signed two years ago.
“They said he could make the decision himself when he turns 21.
“I respect that wish and I’m comfortable with the timeline. I’m comfortable with the whole process, actually.”
Ivan Cleary has repeatedly claimed he wants to coach his son but won’t push Nathan into joining Wests Tigers.
There is also speculation the Roosters might push for Ivan and Nathan to join the club as a package in 2020.
“It’s going to be a huge decision what he does,” Ivan said. “I’m sure he will make the right one.”
Asked if that decision would be to join his dad at Wests Tigers, Ivan said: “Not necessarily, wherever he thinks is best.
“But I would like to coach him one day, I’ve made that clear. Whenever that is, it is.
“A lot can happen in a week in footy, let alone a year.
“Now he has this whole Origin thing so he just needs to focus on that and everything will work itself out.”
Cleary has settled straight into the NSW playmaking role.
He looks calm, considered and composed.
“Nathan seems to take most things in his stride,” Ivan said.
“Nathan is a good student of the game and he listens well.
“Definitely his temperament is one of his strengths.
“Having said that, it will be a completely new level for him, like all those debutants.
“They will all be pretty nervous. They will all handle it differently. I guess we’ll find out.”
Ivan has no doubt his son will successfully step up into the fierce Origin arena.
“There are a lot of new faces there so it is exciting for every one of those guys, too,” Ivan said.
“I think he’ll go all right, I think he’ll handle it fine.
“Like a lot of people, I wasn’t sure how he would respond after coming back (from injury).
“I think after showing how he handled that, it’s fair to say he will do the same in Origin.
“Every time he has ever gone up a level throughout his young life he seems to have gone okay.
“It’s definitely a good thing that he has Jimmy Maloney alongside him. That will be a real help.”
Watch every game of every round of the 2018 NRL Telstra Premiership on FOX SPORTS. SIGN UP NOW >