State of Origin 2022: Nathan Cleary reveals his pre-game checklist for peace of mind

Nathan Cleary never stops thinking about how to get better and how to beat his opponents — even in his sleep. And Andrew Johns believes the Blues halfback can go to another level.

Nathan Cleary holds the key for the Blues in Origin III. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

The great ones never stop searching for an edge.

Listen to the champions of any sport, LeBron, Federer, Tiger, Kelly or even Thurston and what differentiates them is their relentless work ethic.

They never stop.

After 10 days of staying out on the training field longer than any other NSW player, leading team meetings and game planning with coach Brad Fittler, Blues halfback Nathan Cleary went to bed on Tuesday night dreaming of creating Origin history in his sleep.

With his head on the pillow, the most influential person on the field for NSW against Queensland in the State of Origin decider on Wednesday night, allowed his mind to wander through a final check for one more crack, an opening, out wide, over the top, even through the front door, to become just the third Blues team to win a decider in Brisbane in 41 years.

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Blues halfback Nathan Cleary is ready for battle with the Maroons. Picture Grant Trouville

“Origin is more about your own mindset,” Cleary told News Corp.

“I just wanted to have a final check and peace of mind.

“Sometimes I have an epiphany when I’m about to go to sleep.

“Footy is a 24/7 thing and sometimes I have some of my best ideas when I go to bed.

“So I try to remember those.

“The night before a game I just want to have everything checked off.

“If I know I’ve done my preparation well, I can sleep well and be prepared for the game.’’

CREATING A MONSTER

On a night that Cleary equals Peter Sterling’s 13 Origin appearances while going past NSW greats Steve Mortimer, Bradley Clyde, Anthony Minichiello, Terry Lamb and Mark Gasnier, the Blues playmaker can also break the pointscoring record of Andrew Johns.

Cleary (84) is fifth for most points in Origin history and requires 11 points at Suncorp Stadium to overtake Johns (94) as the Blues second-highest point scorer and fourth highest in Origin history.

Nathan Cleary has earned high praise from Immortal Andrew Johns. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

What does Johns think of Cleary? Stand back and listen.

“It doesn’t matter if I want Nathan to go and break that record, he’ll do it, it’s just a matter of when,’’ Johns said. “Where he’s at, at 24, at this level, no halfback has done that (won three of the past four Origin series).

“So fingers crossed he stays injury-free because when he’s 28 or 30, we’re going to be talking about a different monster then.

“Look at the work he’s doing. He wants to get better and better.

“People look at the final product and say we need our halves to play like and kick like Nathan ... seriously, it’s 20,000 hours of practice that has gone into it.’’

MAROONS TARGET

The Maroons bullied the Blues in Origin I. The NSW pack failed to agitate or retaliate against a QLD side that fought for every inch at the play-the-ball.

The receipt was the limitation of Cleary’s impact with the ball in hand and from his boot.

Cleary smiles when asked about the chatter out of Queensland that the halfback is their target.

Nobody works harder on their game than Nathan Cleary. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

“I know it’s coming,’’ Cleary said. “It comes back to us doing our job well to combat that.

“Queensland are always going to play really well at Suncorp and it’s a massive challenge.

“But it’s also a great opportunity to play at a place like that, full of Queenslanders, it’s so loud and it’s something I look forward to.’’

FATHER AND SON

Penrith coach and proud father Ivan has struggled for the past three months with illness and infection.

Only last month, a blood clot from his leg spread to his lungs, forcing him to be rushed to the ICU and unable to fly to Penrith’s interstate matches.

Naturally, the duress of his father has concerned Cleary. But in a special touch, Cleary said Ivan will be in Brisbane to support him.

“The best thing about Dad is, he never makes it about himself,” Cleary said.

“He’s constantly telling us that he’s going to be fine.

“He’s planning to be there (Brisbane) with the family, so that will be really cool, given what he’s gone through. It would be nice to a smile on his face.’’

Originally published as State of Origin 2022: Nathan Cleary reveals his pre-game checklist for peace of mind