Jett Cleary declared his NRL debut everything he dreamed it to be, as he helped push the Warriors towards a potential Grand Final match-up against dad Ivan and brother Nathan’s Panthers.

The 21-year-old was seen celebrating with his family who made the trip to Auckland after the Warriors survived the 12-man Knights on Sunday afternoon.

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It propelled the Kiwi side to the top of the NRL ladder by a solitary point on points differential with one round remaining, locking them into a home qualifying final and making a Grand Final match-up against Penrith even more plausible.

Cleary had four try assists (the most on debut on record, since 1999), two linebreak assists and a forced dropout, surpassing Tim Smith (2005).

J. Cleary scores 3 assists in 1st half | 00:44

“I’m so grateful for my family and that they were able to make it,” he told Fox League post-game.

“It’s also just cool to play for my dad’s old club – it was awesome.”

Jett Cleary hugs dad Ivan and brother Nathan after the Warriors won in his debut NRL game.Source: FOX SPORTS

Cleary will switch to the Panthers and play under his dad and alongside his brother next year, explaining he was “super nervous” in the build-up before being reminded by his teammates to simply play his role.

“It was just everything I’ve dreamed it to be. It was so much fun – I have such a good group of boys to play with,” he said.

“This team’s unreal, forward pack’s unreal. it was just so cool, it was awesome to be out here at Mt Smart as well, packed house. It was mad.

“I was super nervous this morning. Throughout the day I got more and more comfortable, and the boys made me feel super comfortable. They just told me to go out there and do my job, so that’s all I had to do.”

Warriors outgun Newcastle in Auckland | 03:22

Warriors coach Andrew Webster was full of praise for Cleary’s performance.

“He was awesome. He’s great,” Webster said.

“I thought (Greg) Marzhew was trying to run at him. You could hear them yelling his name over the comms (and) trying to run at him and he stood up to it.

“I thought the boys stuck up for him at the right time which is awesome and he came up with a couple of big plays.

“We weren’t playing that great and they pressured him on last play and he threw the ball back to Wayde (Egan) and then threw it to Jakey [Jacob Laban].

“That was a really good play and I think he got our night going, so he was good.”

He added: “One of Jett’s biggest strengths is how tough he is and how much he competes. You’re not going to get under his skin or worry him.

“I was really proud of the way the boys stuck up for him and had his back and made sure that they just couldn’t come and do that to our halfback.

“I knew that he’s got that in him. I knew that’s what he’s always had, that toughness and not being scared of getting roughed up.”

Webby: ‘Thought Jett was Awesome!’ | 10:46

Cleary’s captain Mitch Barnett declared the youngster “looked like he belonged”.

“For a young half, and trust me I’m nowhere near a half but they just want to tackle well and kick well,” he said.

“I thought he defended really well. Like Webby [Andrew Webster] said, Marzhew’s not easy to handle and even that back-rower’s causing a bit of havoc on his edges and Jett held his gloves up.

“He’s ticked the first one off and he’ll only get better each time he takes the field now.”