Former NRL player Justin Horo has declared Nathan Cleary‘s comments this week about his future should ‘worry’ Panthers fans a touch. Cleary whipped the NRL world into a frenzy on Thursday when he admitted he’s open to testing the NRL market and potentially leaving the Penrith Panthers.
Despite conceding it would be hard to imagine playing anywhere else but Penrith, the superstar halfback failed to shut down speculation he could leave. Cleary is under contract until the end of 2027 – the same as father and premiership-winning coach Ivan. The Panthers are desperate to re-sign both on long-term extensions, and are hoping it doesn’t get to the point of the Clearys hitting the open market on November 1 this year.
Nathan Cleary didn’t shut down any of the speculation about his future. Image: Getty/AAP
Rumours have been rife for months about where Nathan’s future lies. He’s been linked to the English Super League to be closer to girlfriend Mary Fowler – who plays her club football with Manchester City.
And there’s also been speculation he could become the face of the new PNG Chiefs franchise when they enter the competition in 2028. NRL CEO Andrew Abdo has admitted it’d be great for the game to have Cleary – and Fowler – involved with the PNG team, with Fowler’s extended family based over there.
Ivan had previously ruled out becoming the inaugural coach of the Chiefs in a boost for Panthers fans. PNG have reportedly found their man in current Hull FC coach Willie Peters.
Nathan Cleary has continually been linked to a move closer to girlfriend Mary Fowler. Image: News Corp/Getty
Discussing his future on Thursday, Cleary didn’t exactly shut down any of the speculation. And in a worrying sign for Panthers fans, he admitted he’s open-minded to the prospect of being a free agent.
“It’s a process that’s pretty foreign to me, I’ve never done it,” he told reporters. “That’s a discussion to be had in the coming weeks or months or whatever. I don’t know.
“(I’ve said) I wasn’t going to close off any avenues, like I was quite open to everything … I just didn’t want to really lock myself in too early. But I’ve always said as well that a week is such a long time in rugby league let alone a few months, so you just don’t know what’s going to happen.”
Cleary has won four premierships with the Panthers, as well as State of Origin series with NSW and World Cups for Australia. But he said the challenge of achieving something new wouldn’t come into the equation, and admitted it’d be a daunting prospect to leave Penrith.
Nevertheless, the fact he didn’t rule out leaving sent a fright through Panthers fans. His comments created a buzz on social media and talk-back radio, with NRL fans and commentators questioning what his future might hold.
On SEN radio, former NRL player Justin Horo said Cleary would get $2 million per year “easily” if he hits the open market. And according to Horo, it might be overseas to be closer to Fowler if Cleary does decide to leave.
“For Panthers fans, I would worry just a touch,” he said. “I think it has less to do with football and more to do with family and relationships. If he ever did move and go anywhere, I think he goes overseas.”