He’s won back-to-back premierships, the 2021 Clive Churchill Medal, helped Australia win last year’s World Cup and is one of just 10 NSW players to win multiple State of Origin man-of-the-match awards.
And that’s all before his 26th birthday.
But as Nathan Cleary prepares for his sixth campaign with the Blues, there are some claiming that this year’s series is the final frontier for the champion halfback, with the pressure on him to produce perfection on the grandest stage.
Cleary’s position in the side is not in doubt and nor will it be if the Blues don’t get the job done because he’s the best halfback in the NRL and on track to shatter records that were tipped to stand the test of time.
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But for all his success with the Panthers, where he’s had a winning percentage of almost 90 during their years of dominance, Cleary hasn’t had the same impact in Origin where he’s won seven of his 13 games.
That features a couple of man-of-the-match awards, including game two last year when he scored two tries and kicked eight goals, but that counted for nothing after the Maroons prevailed in one of the greatest deciders of all time.
“It’s been a rollercoaster, but that’s what rugby league is,” Cleary replied when asked about his Origin career.
“There have been some great moments and some not-so great moments, so I’m just trying to deal with that and learn from the past and apply that to the future to get better.
“You don’t want to dwell too much on the past, but you can take lessons and improve. Last year wasn’t the series that we wanted, and I know that winning is a lot more fun than losing.”
Last year’s decider got off to a frantic start, with several players knocked out of the game, while another two were sent to the sin bin for fighting.
In the end, it came down to a handful of moments, with Ben Hunt standing tall with a clutch 40/20 and then the biggest play of all when he intercepted a Cleary kick to seal the deal in the final minutes.
It’s a moment that Cleary will never forget, but it could have been so different if he had regathered and scored to cement his legacy as one of the modern greats.
“It’s natural to dwell on it. It was a tough moment, but I dwell on losing as a whole, not on one moment. As much as I’d like to have it back, it’s done and it’s in history,” he said.
“It’s something you can’t look back on too much, but if you get in that sort of scenario again, then you can find ways to make sure you handle it better. You’ve got to use your experiences to improve.
“It’s funny with Origin because the game happens and you’re so sure about it, but then you’re playing again the next week. It is hard to dwell on these games which is a good and bad thing for different reasons.
“I watched that game back and it just shows that you don’t get many opportunities in that arena. If you make a mistake, then it can quickly compound and put you under a lot of pressure.
“I’ve got to be on top of that and take my opportunities when they present. It’s a tough old game in Origin because you’re so fatigued, but you’ve just got to stay in the moment.”
The Blues are desperate for redemption, and their cause will be helped with five Panthers in the side as well as Api Koroisau, who played a key role in their two premierships.
The key will be how Cleary and halves partner Jarome Luai perform, with the pair showing in last year’s decider that a simple wink was enough to conjure a try out of nothing when the halfback put in a kick for his long-time teammate to score.
Luai will be public enemy No.1 after an incident with Selwyn Cobbo last year, but it’s a role he’s happy to play if it means his team gets the job done.
“I’m hungry now that it’s Origin time,” he said.
“That was one of the toughest games I’ve ever played. I can’t wait for another battle. It’s going to be a bloodbath next Wednesday, and that’s what Origin is about.
“Everyone comes at me, but I’m always ready for it. Bring it on.”
