This will be the first NRL Grand Final day since 2019 that Nathan Cleary has missed, but the famous last name will still make an appearance at Accor Stadium today — through his younger brother, Jett.
The 20-year-old has been named on the Warriors’ bench for their State Cup clash with Broncos feeder side Burleigh Bears, which kicks off at 1:20pm.
Cleary made the big decision to move across the ditch to take up a train-and-trial opportunity with the Warriors this season and it’s paid dividends.
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The up-and-coming playmaker made his New South Wales Cup debut in Round 12 at halfback and went on to have a breakout game in Round 21 with two tries, two try assists, three linebreaks and over 160 running metres.
He’s held his starting spot since Round 17, however since Tanah Boyd has returned to NSW Cup, Cleary has dropped back to the bench.
He got minimal minutes in the Warriors’ win over the Dragons in the NSW Cup Grand Final last week and will likely get limited opportunities again today — unless there’s an injury in the spine.
Regardless, it’s been a successful club switch for Cleary, who has taken a significant step this season towards a future NRL debut.
“He’s filled a role every time he’s had to,” former Warriors playmaker Shaun Johnson said on The Matty Johns Show.
“Jett’s got that gene, that Cleary gene, where they just go after the contest. He’s definitely got it. He’s a goer, puts the chin down, knows when to take the line on.
“But the thing is, Tanah Boyd, there was a stat where he didn’t lose a game all year. Every game he played … he was maybe 15 from 15 in Cup. He was their calming influence.
“So a great role model for someone like Jett Cleary to sit behind and see how he goes about his work, and then when the time comes, he’s able to do this sort of stuff.”
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The Warriors finished comfortably as NSW Cup minor premiers 11 points clear of second place — after a dominant season which saw them go on a 14-game winning streak that was only ended by a draw.
“The pathways at the club, I guess since Covid, we’ve been able to go home and re-establish them, and the club’s done a terrific job,” Johnson said.
“What you’ve got to remember, most of these boys actually spent a heap of time in first grade this year. It was no secret the injury woes that the Warriors went through, so these boys had to fill that role.
“But speaking to current players within the NRL side, they speak about the Cup boys putting it on them most weeks at training, that sort of ‘iron sharpens iron’ mentality. They reckon training scrimmage opposed sessions have just been through the roof.
“Awesome to see the boys get up, a real good crop of young talent coming through.”
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The Warriors will take on Queensland Cup premiers Burleigh Bears, who also finished their season as minor premiers.
Coach by former Eel, Luke Burt, the Bears have been building for the last five or so years and after coming heartbreakingly close in 2023, they comprehensively beat Norths Devils 22-8 in the Queensland Cup Grand Final.
“My man Luke Burt, he’s been thereabouts the last couple of years, well deserved win against the Devils the other week,” Nathan Hindmarsh said of his former Eels teammate.
“Burty, he’s an outstanding coach. I did a little bit with him when he was at the NYCs, or Under-20s at Parramatta there, and just the way he can explain things to the new generation of player so it sinks in. He’s a calming influence.
“A lot of these players today, they’ve got to be told 10, 15 times in a week about something, but the way Burty can explain things to them, it’s just … he’s got that gift.”
Matty Johns pointed out that older players going into coaching tend to have the right intentions, wanting to coach kids well rather than being hyper ambitious.
“That’s Burty’s philosophy too,” Hindmarsh continued.
“Obviously Burty, he’s played a lot of first grade himself. Of course he does (have ambitions to be an NRL coach) but he’s not going to put himself out there.
He’ll bide his time and he’ll just wait, but obviously things like this are going to help.”
Since it’s inception in 2014, the Queensland-based team has only won three State Premierships — including Norths Devils’ two-point win over Newtown last year.
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PLAYERS TO WATCH IN NRL STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
KALANI GOING
The 28-year-old lock has been one of the most consistent players in NSW Cup over the last few years and was finally rewarded for that with the competition’s Player of the Year honour for the 2025 season.
Going has just one NRL game to his name — is considered unlucky not to have more at this stage of his career — and has helped lead the Warriors to their best-ever season in Cup.
TAINE TUAUPIKI
The livewire fullback has become a fan favourite after his starring performances in NRL. The 26-year-old joined the Warriors in 2023 after winning the Petero Civoniceva Medal as Queensland Cup’s Player of the Year in 2022 and has gone on to play 25 NRL games either at fullback, on the wing or off the bench.
SAM HEALEY
Between an NRL debut and a NSW Cup premiership, it’s been a big first season at the Warriors for Sam Healey.
The 23-year-old son of Cronulla Sharks great Mitch, has played seven NRL games this season, proving to be a handy back-up for Wayde Egan.
He’s tipped by many to have a very bright future in the game.
KAYLISS FATIALOFA
The Warriors have a knack for unearthing young talent and Kayliss Fatialofa falls under that umbrella.
The 20-year-old second-rower had a meteoric rise last year, playing SG Ball, Jersey Flegg and making his NSW Cup debut.
He’s played every game this year for the Warriors and proven to be a real handful on the edge with 14 tries and 14 linebreaks in 27 games.
Fatialofa re-sienged on a two-year deal in August and was deservedly named in the NSW Cup Team of the Year.
GUY HAMILTON
The veteran halfback has been one of the most consistent playmakers in Queensland Cup over the last few years.
The 30-year-old finished the season with the most try assists (29) and linebreak assists (22) after 22 appearance and was rightly named Halfback of the Year.
With over 170 games worth of experience at this level, he’ll no doubt have an impact on the game.
SAM COSTER
The much-loved Burleigh lock was Queensland Cup’s top tackler and was rewarded with his fourth-consecutive Lock of the Year award.
32-year-old Coster has played 172 Queensland Cup games — all with Burleigh — since 2017 and is considered the heartbeat of the side.
NICHOLAS O’MELEY
A big opportunity for O’Meley, who had to fight his way into the 17 this season.
The 27-year-old son of NRL great, Mark ‘the ogre’ O’Meley, has been at Burleigh since 2023 but hasn’t been able to quite cement his spot in the team.
That’s changed over the last month or so with O’Meley scoring six tries in five games.
Traditionally a centre, O’Meley has been named at fullback after regular No.1 Creedance Toia suffered an injury in the grand final.