In his house bordering the Nepean River, the one he recently renovated after purchasing it from his parents, Nathan Cleary has a mini mural of Kobe Bryant.
Cleary loves American sport and its transcendental stars, including Tom Brady and LeBron James, but basketball legend Bryant holds a special place. The Penrith halfback once even owned a dog he named “Kobe”.
“I just love his mindset, his mentality, the way he played the game,” Cleary says.
“I love the podcast he’s done, like the way he articulates things. Obviously he’s passed now, which was just a super-sad day, but to look back on what he’d done, not only in the game of basketball, but outside of it and his leadership and the way he spoke about things, I love that about him.”
During their storied run, “Legacy” was the theme for the LA Lakers, a motif the Panthers tapped into during their most recent success. Bryant won five championships and now Cleary is seeking to do likewise.
“Honestly, I’d not thought about that,” Cleary says.
“At the end of the day, I’m not thinking too much about the fifth – it’s sort of just a constant chase of the journey and getting better.
“If those premierships do come along the way, they’re just a byproduct of hard work to be honest. I’d love to be able to win five, but I’d love to be able to win six, seven more.
“That’s not something I think about too much. We’re very outcome focused and more involved and value the present moment and being process-driven.”
It seems appropriate that the quest for the latest premiership will commence in the US, home to many of the athletes Cleary idolises.
The 27-year-old has recovered from the shoulder surgery that ruled him out of the Kangaroos squad for the season-ending Pacific Championships, declaring himself “on track for Vegas”, where Penrith will start their title defence against Cronulla at Allegiant Stadium.
Nathan Cleary.Credit: Wolter Peeters
“It’s been a tough rehab period – you’ve got to work hard to get the shoulder to the place you want it to be, but it’s gone really well,” he says.
In the NRL’s quest to promote the game to the American public, Cleary has been spruiked as the NRL’s version of Tom Brady. The comparison with the seven-time Super Bowl winner doesn’t sit well.
“That’s complete rubbish,” Cleary says. “I don’t feel comfortable with that because he’s just on a whole different level, just an out-and-out winner.
“It’s just trying to promote our games. The American market is something that I see as tough, but it’s pretty cool, I think that they’ll enjoy it …
“I’ve always loved American sports. I just think they do it so well and it just seems like a whole different world over there. I’ve been lucky enough to go to a few games, NBA, NFL, even college football over there. It’s pretty amazing.
“Guys like Kobe Bryant and LeBron James and Tom Brady, they’re all in that American market and I’ve always enjoyed watching them and just learning their story, how they go about their craft.
“Now to be playing inside a stadium where NFL players play, it’s pretty cool. I just never thought it’d be something that would be possible. To be a part of it, I’ve got a lot of gratitude.”
For the first time at NRL level, in round 14 at Commbank Stadium, Cleary will go up against his great mate, Wests Tigers recruit Jarome Luai. What is Cleary expecting?
Kobe Bryant is an inspiration for Nathan Cleary.Credit: Getty Images
“A bit of shit-talk probably,” he chuckles. “No, I don’t know. The only time I versed him since we were 15 years old was Australia versus Samoa in that World Cup final, which was a pretty big stage.
“That was pretty weird that night. I don’t know what it’ll be like, it’ll be interesting.”
Part of the motivation for Luai’s move was to emerge from Cleary’s shadow. There’s no similar ambition for Cleary.
“I wouldn’t say that’s a driving factor for me trying to prove myself without Romy,” he says.
“I’m very grateful for the partnership that me and Romy had, what we were able to do and how successful we were.
Nathan Cleary’s younger brother, Jett.Credit: Getty Images
“It’s just a chapter in the book now, it’s done and it’s on to the next one. It’s about trying to bring a young guy [Luai’s replacement, former Eel Blaize Talagi] in and let him reach his full potential. I think I’d get a real kick out of making people around me better, just trying to be a leader in that regard. I see that as exciting.”
Cleary is also intrigued by the progress of another young playmaker trying to make his mark in the NRL. Younger brother Jett, 19, has signed a three-year deal with the Warriors. Cleary Junior debuted for the trans-Tasman outfit during last weekend’s trial against Cronulla, hopeful of adding to the storied contribution the family has already made to rugby league.
“I think it was good for him at a young age to be able to go over there and get out of the Sydney spotlight and the Penrith spotlight, obviously with me and dad [Panthers coach Ivan] attached to the club,” Cleary says.
“He’s gone over there with a coach that we trust [former Panthers assistant Andrew Webster], he’s a great coach.
“I think I’m a bit protective. I watched his trial the other night, I was more nervous for him than I was for myself in my own games.
“I’m also really proud of him, just to be able to chase his dream. It’s not easy for someone like him who has someone else to live up to. He’s constantly referred to as my little brother, but I want him to really make a name for himself and I’ll be helping him along the way.”
Last August, at a critical juncture at Penrith’s premiership campaign, Ivan Cleary publicly challenged his players. Were they prepared to pay the price required to win another premiership. History will show that the answer was an unequivocal yes. But what about in 2025?
“Absolutely,” Cleary says. “I think it’s a good question to ask, it is a big price to pay.
“You can’t just bolt in and think that it’s gonna happen again, you’ve got to really knuckle down and work hard. There’s a euphoric feeling that’s there to be had if you want to work hard enough to get it.
“That feeling’s so addictive, being able to win it. We’re lucky enough to win it the last four years and to have that feeling, you just don’t want to let it go.
“You know how much it takes to get there and I think that’s the motivation, just trying to improve each and every day. I know all of us are definitely willing to pay the price.”
