NRL 2020: Nathan Cleary inspires table-topping Penrith Panthers with unrivalled work ethic

Nathan Cleary has become the Panthers’ Pied Piper — he leads, the others follow — on and off the field. His work ethic and professionalism has drawn comparisons to a former champion playmaker.

Nathan Cleary and Daine Laurie of the Panthers celebrate after winning the round 15 NRL match between the Penrith Panthers and the Cronulla Sharks at Panthers Stadium on August 21, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

They have become Cleary’s Cool Cats.

A table-topping Panthers team inspired and invigorated by the unequalled work ethic of star halfback Nathan Cleary.

Cleary is the Panthers’ Pied Piper — he leads, the others follow. And with that, Penrith has strung together a club record 10 successive wins and sit three points clear on top of the NRL ladder.

He is last off the training field, last to leave Penrith’s Academy at night, last out of the physio room, last to leave the conditioning room and last to leave the video sessions.

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Nathan Cleary is leading by example at the Panthers. Picture: Getty Images

“It has become cool at our place to want to practice more because Nathan practices so much – he is definitely the one leading us in that area,” Panthers head of performance Hayden Knowles said.

“He’s the one spending the most time on the field after training, he is the one studying the most film. The other players see him doing extra work with the physio, extra work with the conditioning staff, extra work with film study, the attack coach, the ‘D’ (defence) coach, even himself.

“We have this little video room. Everyone may have left for the day and there’s only staff left in the building and you’ll walk past it and you’ll see Nathan in there studying film.

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“There would be some clubs where it’s cool to be relaxed. Just get your work done. Then there are the real pro’s that want to put in extra work – that is what’s at our club. And Nathan is leading that, without a doubt. He is owning the team.

“They follow him and it’s not just words with Nathan. He is well-and-truly a total professional. You hear those Cooper Cronk-style stories – I’m not sure how long it took Cooper to get to that level but Nathan is 22 and he has that about him. It’s the whole package with Nathan.”

Cleary’s form has risen to a new level of excellence this season, despite his two-match suspension earlier this season for the infamous TikTok video.

Nathan Cleary has come of age this season at the Panthers. Picture: Phil Hillyard

He will be first chosen for the NSW State of Origin side but a premiership beckons first.

“Nathan is clear and is working on the mind a lot,” Knowles said.

“He has really learnt how to deal with a lot outside noise that was there last year. He has learnt lessons over the years. He has worked really hard on the mind.

“With all respect to James Maloney, having James not there has allowed Nathan to own the team.

“Everywhere you look at our place at the moment there is someone trying to get better at something. It’s becoming that contagious that we are now holding people back the day after a game.”

Knowles also spoke glowingly about the work ethic of powerhouse forward James Fisher-Harris. Many regard New Zealand-born Fisher-Harris among the finest forwards in rugby league. And here’s the reason why.

James Fisher-Harris has taken his game to a new level this season. Picture: Getty Images

“The day after a game and he’s in the gym,” Knowles said. “For two hours, he was there, the morning after a game, extra passing, extra skills, extra rehab work. They are just so determined at the moment.

“The morning after a match and Fisher-Harris is asking how he can become better? That’s pretty powerful and unsolicited. Fisher-Harris doesn’t usually get many wraps but the stuff he does behind-the scenes has also become contagious this year.

“We won’t make players do extra work after a game but that’s just how Fisher-Harris thinks. When he wants to say something, the boys listen. He is a beauty, mate, I love him, he goes under the radar, and he probably likes that.”

Originally published as NRL 2020: Nathan Cleary inspires table-topping Penrith Panthers with unrivalled work ethic