Penrith trying to create history with rookie halfback Nathan Cleary

PENRITH are hoping that Nathan Cleary can become the youngest premiership halfback history as they continue to walk the finals tightrope.

Cleary is one of the candidates for rookie of the year.

PHIL Blake was just 18 when he played in his first grand final for Manly — now 34 years later, Penrith are banking on their own baby-faced halfback Nathan Cleary to do likewise.

Not since the 1982 decider when Blake was 18 years and 306 days old has a team in the decider featured such a young No.7.

The seventh-placed Panthers are locked in a battle just to make the NRL finals with a run home that starts with Newcastle on Sunday and includes key clashes against top-eight chasers the Wests Tigers, Jarryd Hayne’s Gold Coast and Manly.

Cleary has made a stunning impression after just nine NRL games, including his five-star effort against the Sydney Roosters on Monday night.

Should Penrith go all the way to the grand final on October 2, Cleary will be just 18 years and 323 days old.

Cleary played a starring role in the win over the Roosters.

Those close to Cleary are adamant he carries an old head on those young shoulders, and backed him not to fall apart in the nervous charge towards the finals.

Penrith have worked hard to keep a lid on the Cleary hype. They’ve placed a media ban on him, however club boss and Channel Nine employee Phil Gould has allowed Cleary to appear alongside his mates The Footy Show on Wednesday.

Cleary looked relaxed as he joined his Penrith teammates at Tuesday’s pool recovery session.

“He’s pretty calm and doesn’t get too flustered,” said Craig Gower, the last No. 7 to lead the Panthers to a premiership in 2003.

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“And he’s picking the right options. He’s been good to watch.

“I don’t want put too much pressure on him, but just the way he controls the game, especially with his kicking game, he seems to be getting better and better.

“Some of the younger guys play well but then drop away, but he’s consistently improving.’’

Cleary’s improvement is partly why they released five-eighth Jamie Soward to England mid-season and shifted halfback Peter Wallace to the hooking role vacated by James Segeyaro.

Wallace, who played halfback for NSW, was full of praise for Cleary’s toughness.

Cleary is one of the contenders for rookie of the year.

Cleary is not afraid to take on the line, and never stays down when belted with the ball. His ability to sum up the situation while running at full speed and then kick for Tyrone Peachey to score on Monday night will make the NRL’s end-of-season highlights reel.

“He’s really steady and calm for his age, and he’s a tough bugger, too,’’ Wallace said.

“He’s definitely not getting ahead of himself. I know his old man (former Penrith coach Ivan Cleary) would be keeping him down to earth.

“You don’t see too many 18-year-olds doing what he’s doing, especially being his first year in first grade. It’s a tremendous effort.’’

Prop Leilani Latu said it had been “awesome how quickly Cleary has developed last couple of months’’, while powerhouse lock Trent Merrin described him as a “gentleman’’ whose willingness to learn was “phenomenal’’.