After a “rollercoaster” week in which he owned the fact that he did not own State of Origin, was booed in his first NRL game coming off the bench for the Panthers and had just been named an ambassador for a multinational company, Nathan Cleary was shown a pamphlet.
It’s the one depicting a doctored image of the Penrith halfback, with his arm around a woman who isn’t partner Mary Fowler, spruiking a business selling rugby league-themed car bonnet covers without his consent or knowledge.
“I didn’t see it – my mum actually showed me a photo of it,” Cleary said.
“Mum wasn’t too happy with it. It’s just one of those things that are unfortunate. Some people have too much time on their hands sometimes.
“I think that’s an important thing, not only protecting your own image, but protecting your own energy as well. I am quite selective with the brands I work with.”
Ironically, Cleary says this in a Kia showroom in Kingswood, where he has entered into a legitimate ambassadorial relationship to promote the global automotive brand’s Tasman ute.
Nathan Cleary looks on as Xavier Coates opens the scoring for Queensland in the Origin decider.Credit: Getty Images
“I thought Kia aligns well, I like what they’re doing and what the brand is about,” he said.
It caps a heady few days, in which he was still processing the shock 24-12 loss to Queensland in the Origin decider, a fifth straight Panthers win that rekindled hopes of a fifth consecutive NRL title, and news that he will be rested for this weekend’s clash with South Sydney.
“I think it sort of sums up the rugby league world, to be honest – it’s just a rollercoaster a lot of the time,” Cleary said.
“You’ve got to ride those highs and lows, and obviously, there was a massive low last Wednesday night.
Nathan Cleary is still processing the Origin III loss.Credit: Getty Images
“I’ve been processing that and understanding it a bit more, just trying to learn from it and get better. I honestly think it will make me better as a player, as a person. And then lucky enough to get a win on Sunday [over the Eels] and now this [endorsement deal], so, again, it’s part of the ride, and I’m enjoying it.”
Cleary is a man who thinks deeply about rugby league, sometimes to his detriment. After the Origin III debacle it was a case of finding the balance between introspection and flushing it all together.
“In the past I’ve come out of Origins where I haven’t performed well and I’ve just sort of tried to act like it didn’t happen and squash it straight away,” he said.
“Whereas this one I sort of want to sit with it a little bit more and understand why it happened.
Andrew Johns and Nathan Cleary share a private moment on the field after the Origin decider.
“If I get the opportunity in the future in Origin, how I can be better. I think that was important, but probably made it linger a little bit longer than what I would have liked. But I had to sit through that, and I had to face it and understand why I failed on that stage.
“Now that I have processed it, it’s about moving on and putting those lessons into play.
“Obviously a big part of the season is coming up for us at Penrith leading into the finals and I want to be playing my best footy. I think it can help me to do that and help me in the future, too.”
Asked what answers he found after a week of soul-searching, Cleary said: “There’s lots of answers.
“I probably won’t go into too much detail with it, but sort of just for my own things moving forward there were a few things that maybe looking back I overlooked or didn’t do well enough in the preparation.
Nathan Cleary scores in the win over the Eels after a week to forget.Credit: Getty Images
“Then during the game it’s just about capitalising on moments and, ultimately, I didn’t do that, we didn’t do that as a team, and Queensland did.”
In the moments after the game, Cleary was consoled by eight Immortal and former NSW halfback Andrew Johns.
“He just said not to be too hard on myself and just offered some support,” Cleary said.
“I’m very appreciative of that. Obviously it’s a bloody low feeling straight after the game, but having him come up to me – he’s the GOAT [greatest of all time] in my eyes – so to have him there and offer some advice was great to have. I’m very appreciative of that.”
Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary has been announced as a KIA ambassador.
Based on Origin form, Cleary is no certainty to wear the Australian No.7 jersey for the season-ending Ashes tour of England. Such was Tom Dearden’s dominance of the series, after replacing captain Daly Cherry-Evans as starting halfback for the second game, that he was awarded the Wally Lewis Medal.
“I’ve got nothing but good things to say about Tom Dearden,” Cleary said.
“He’s a freak of a player, and he showed that on Wednesday night; he was by far the best player on the field ...
“I haven’t been able to represent the Kangaroos since 2022, so I would absolutely love the opportunity to do that. But obviously you’ve got to play well at the back end of the year.
“I think being a part of that and making that team will be a byproduct of this next period and playing well for the Panthers.”
Cleary and Penrith co-captain Isaah Yeo have been rested for the Rabbitohs clash, but will return for next week’s match against Wests Tigers. Cleary will do so more motivated than ever.
“Absolutely, the fire in the belly is definitely there,” he said.
“Last Wednesday night has only ignited it more. I just want to do well by my teammates and put my best foot forward for them and elevate us to positions to win games to be there at the end of the season.”
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