Warriors coach Andrew Webster has praised the composure of Jett Cleary, who starred on his long-awaited debut.
Cleary, the brother of Nathan and son of Ivan, finished with three try assists in the 46-32 win over the Knights that helped the Warriors move back to first on the ladder.
Jett and Nathan Cleary. Getty Images
Nathan and Ivan were both in the stands, along with the rest of the Cleary family, and would have had mixed feelings as the Warriors leap-frogged the Panthers.
Post-match, Jett said the debut was “everything I dreamt it to be”.
“I have such a good group of boys I can play with, this team’s unreal, the forward pack’s unreal, it was just so cool,” he told Fox League.
“It was awesome to be out here at Mt Smart too, a packed house, it was mad.”
Cleary’s debut came amid a halves injury crisis for the Warriors with Tanah Boyd, Luke Metcalf and Te Maire Martin all out.
The 21-year-old was targeted by the Knights in attack and missed seven tackles but was well-supported by the players around him.
Webster explained why the Knights’ tactic wasn’t going to faze his young half.
“He didn’t look like a debutant around the way he owned the team. He’s a good kid, he works hard,” he said.
“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 like that. I was really proud of the way the boys stood up for him and had his back and made sure they couldn’t do that to our halfback.
“You could obviously 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 as well, which was awesome.”
Cleary’s captain, Mitch Barnett, was equally impressed with the youngster’s bravery in defence.
“I thought he looked like he belonged … he defended really well, (Greg) Marzhew’s not easy to handle and that back-rower (Francis Manuleleua) has been causing a bit of havoc on his edges and Jett held his gloves up,” he said.
“I thought he was really composed, it’s hard because his position is a dominant position because of how vocal you’ve got to be, getting people around the park.
“I thought it was up to us to step up around him … our communication had to pick up around him so he could slot in easier. I was really impressed with him. He was cool, calm and collected and I thought it showed tonight.
Jett Cleary of the Warriors with his father Ivan, brother Nathan and family. Getty Images
“He’s ticked the first one off and he’ll only get better each time he takes the field.”
Cleary will be a good chance of playing against next week with the Warriors a certainty of a home semi-final, although the minor premiership is still up for grabs.
The Warriors will play Manly in Auckland next Saturday while Penrith is up against the Tigers in the final match of the regular season.