Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary says he doesn’t want to leave Penrith ‘at the moment’
WITH Penrith fans worried he could follow Matt Moylan and Bryce Cartwright out the door, boom Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary has declared he wants to stay — for now ...
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BOOM halfback Nathan Cleary wants to remain a Panther. For now, anyway.
The 20-year-old is under contract with Penrith until the end of 2019 but rival NRL teams will be able to sign the rising star from November 1 this season.
With fans concerned he could follow Matt Moylan and Bryce Cartwright out the door, Cleary revealed he wanted to stay at the foot of the mountains, declaring: “I couldn’t really see myself leaving at the moment.”
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The indications are clearly there for Penrith that Cleary wants to re-sign.
Cleary did however stress his current contract still had two years remaining — a long time in volatile rugby league.
“I’m really happy at Penrith and I’ve got no reason to leave at the moment.” Cleary said at yesterday’s Fox League launch in Sydney.
“All my mates I have come through the grades with. I couldn’t really see myself leaving at the moment. It would just be too hard.
“I’m happy as it is, I’m happy at the moment.
“Penrith have been really good for me. They gave me my opportunity — it was a massive gamble for them to throw an 18-year-old into first grade.
“I will be forever grateful for that.
“I’ve got no reason to leave at the moment. But two years is a long time in footy. You never know what will happen.”
Penrith and Cleary have agreed to suspend all contract discussions until the end of this season, with Penrith yet to formally give their No. 7 a much-publicised five-year offer.
“I just want to get through this year — we have established that with Penrith,” Cleary said.
“Then we can talk at the end of the year. Money isn’t a massive thing for me. It isn’t a driving factor.
“It will be where I think I can play my best footy and where I think I can be in a successful team and ultimately my goal is to win a competition.
“I’m not holding off to get more money or anything like that. I just want to play another good year of footy and see where I’m at and make a commitment from there.”
Cleary said his father Ivan wasn’t in any way pressuring him to join Wests Tigers, who will no doubt be in the queue of clubs chasing his services come November 1.
“Family is a massive part of my life and I am very close to them,” Cleary said. “Me and Dad have spoken about it and we would like to test that in the future and be at a club together.
“But it’s about what is happening at the time and what’s best for me. Dad is also really good in that way, he would never push me into anything. He has always wanted what is best for me and what I want.
“He would never push me into anything I didn’t want to do and I am always really appreciative of that.”
Cleary, touted as a possible NSW halfback this season, appears to be coping calmly and professionally under his increased spotlight.
Asked about his growing profile and scrutiny, Cleary said: “I try not to think about it too much but it’s pretty cool. It was only a year-and-a-half ago I was a fan watching the game and now people are talking about me and people in high positions.
“I try and not look into that too much. I just get on with what I am doing and not let it affect me. Keep working hard.
“It’s been a massive whirlwind. It has all happened so quickly, I could never have imagined this. It is pretty much a dream come true, I am so grateful.
“I have been thinking about this since I was a young kid. For this to happen, having little kids coming up to you and wanting a photo, it’s pretty awesome.
“I definitely don’t take it for granted. I will try not to change too much personality-wise. I knew when I was a little kid, I loved it when players used to give me time so I want to be able to return that now.”