Nathan Cleary was spotted showing his support for brother Jett on Sunday, attending the Warriors and Wests Tigers Jersey Flegg game at Campbelltown with father Ivan and one of his sisters. Jett Cleary started at halfback for the Warriors in the Under-21 competition, helping his team to a 20-20 draw with the Tigers.
It was the first time since Round 1 that the Warriors played in Australia, and Nathan and Ivan took the opportunity to show their support. According to Penrith-based reporter Lachlan Jeffery, Nathan and Ivan attended the game with one of Nathan and Jett’s sisters, and were also seen at Wests Leagues Club.
It wouldn’t be often that the Penrith heroes would be spotted in the heart of enemy Tigers territory, but the Cleary clan clearly wanted to show up for Jett. The 19-year-old started in the Panthers system, and fans had high hopes that he’d one day team up with brother Nathan in Penrith’s halves.
But Jett made the stunning decision last year to sign a three-year deal with the Warriors to forge his own path. The teenager appeared in two pre-season games for the Warriors in February before being sent to Jersey Flegg to work on his craft.
Why Jett Cleary split from family to join Warriors
Speaking earlier this month, Jett lifted the lid on why he decided to split from his brother and father (Ivan is the coach of the Panthers) and head to New Zealand. “Obviously, there’s Nathan and dad and they’ve got their own thing going in Penrith,” he told TV network 1News in Auckland.
“I could’ve easily stayed there and rode what they’re doing now because they are pretty successful. But I thought this was a good opportunity to step out of the limelight a bit and do it my own way and try succeed on my own.”
Jett was actually born in Auckland while Ivan was an assistant coach with the Warriors. Jett and his family lived in Auckland until he was 7, before they moved back to Australia in 2012.
“Most of the time I was in the creche in the little kids section (of the club). That was always fun,” he said. “It’s so weird because I used to joke with my mates and my mum that I’ll go play for the Warriors one day. I always joke with mum that I kind of spoke it into existence I think, I love the Warriors and I’ve always wanted to play for them.”
Will Jett Cleary come back to Penrith in 2028?
Panthers fans are holding out hope that Jett will come back to Penrith once his three years at the Warriors ends. The 19-year-old has big raps on him, but it’s unclear at this stage whether he has what it takes to be a first-grade player.
His three-year deal with the Warriors coincides with Nathan and Ivan’s contracts with Penrith. Nathan and Ivan are both off-contract at the end of 2027, and the Panthers are desperate to retain them long-term.
Speculation has been rife about Nathan’s future. Many believe he’ll make a move to the English Super League to be closer to girlfriend Mary Fowler – who plays her club football with Manchester City. NRL CEO Andrew Abdo also said recently it’d be a huge boost for the competition if Nathan joins the new PNG franchise in 2028.
