NRL 2022: Nathan Cleary is grateful to his trolls, one day Jake Arthur will be too, says Penrith halfback

As the son of the coach, Nathan Cleary went from constant online attacks to learning how to block out trolls completely. This is the premiership-winning halfback’s message to Parramatta’s Jake Arthur.

What feels like hell for Parramatta youngster Jake Arthur will soon turn into an invaluable experience that will make him mentally stronger.

That’s the message of hope Penrith halfback Nathan Cleary has for the teen playmaker, who has been the target of online abuse after the Eels’ loss to North Queensland on the weekend.

Arthur was subjected to cruel taunts of nepotism after his father, Eels coach Brad Arthur, opted to play him in the halves and move five-eighth Dylan Brown into the centres, as cover for an injury crisis in the outside backs.

The club even asked the trolls to stop their abuse during the Eels’ loss to the Cowboys on Saturday night.

Stream every game of every round of the 2022 NRL Telstra Premiership Season Live & Ad-Break Free In Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14-Days Free Now >

Jake Arthur came in for some heavy abuse after his father opted to play him in the halves to help cover an injury crisis. Picture: NRL Photos

Cleary himself is no stranger to online trolls or the challenges of playing for the same side your dad coaches.

Before turning into an NRL powerhouse, Penrith endured a season to forget back in 2019 — which was Ivan Cleary’s first year back as coach at the club.

Eight losses from the opening 10 rounds made Cleary an easy target and the trolls were out in full force.

“It’s definitely had its challenges at the start. The first year we came together we started the year with two wins and (eight) losses. It was tough then. There was a lot of stuff being said,” Cleary said.

“I think we came out of that stronger. I wasn’t glad it happened at the time but I’m glad it happened now, it helped me deal with a few different things to get the mental state right.

“That 2019 year was probably the worst I ever had. You learn things along the way, experience is an invaluable thing in the halves.

Panthers coach Ivan Cleary and son Nathan were harrassed by trolls during their first year together at Penrith.

“To be honest we’ve been pretty lucky in the last few years with how we have gone and haven’t had many challenges.”

Unlike Arthur, who only has 11 NRL games under his belt, Cleary was one of the first picked in the Panthers outfit and already a State of Origin player by the time dad Ivan arrived at the foot of the mountains.

Cleary said his level of NRL experience helped shield him from accusations of nepotism. But the halfback does not believe any NRL coach would pick his son ahead of the side’s best interests.

“I had already played a first few years of first grade when Dad came here because I haven’t felt that,” Cleary said.

Arthur was subjected to cruel taunts of nepotism at the weekend. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

“They know what’s right within their inner sanctum. To think someone at NRL level, that someone would be picking their son, I just don’t think it would happen.

“You never like hearing that stuff.

“Sometimes it’s a sad world we live in to feel like you have to tear people down constantly but in saying that it comes with the territory.

“We’re lucky to be NRL players, but it comes with a lot of criticism sometimes.

“But I hope he is doing all right.”

After a personally tough year navigating life in the spotlight as the coach’s son in 2019, Cleary is now at a point where trolls have little impact on his emotional wellbeing.

“Whenever I see a message, I don’t feel any emotion to it all,” Cleary revealed.

“I’m glad what happened early in my career happened because it allows me to not worry about these things now. That’s come over time and experience.”

Nathan Cleary with his father after they claimed 2021 NRL title. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Cleary advised Arthur to stay offline in the meantime.

“It’s probably a good idea,” Cleary said about staying off social media.

“It’s easy to say don’t read it. But it’s constantly in your face. It’s hard to avoid.”

And to not expect too much understanding from his dad about the pitfalls of social media.

“I’m very lucky with having him here to help me through that time but in saying that he doesn’t have social media so he doesn’t understand it either,” Cleary said.

“He’s always like ‘what do you mean, what’s going on?’ He tries to help even though social media is a foreign thing.”

In the past, Brad Arthur has reached out to Ivan Cleary seeking advice about handling the father and son relationship at the NRL level.

The Penrith halfback is open to having a similar discussion with Jake.

“I’m always happy to answer questions if he had any,” Cleary said.

Originally published as NRL 2022: Nathan Cleary is grateful to his trolls, one day Jake Arthur will be too, says Penrith halfback