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 \u2014 through his younger brother, Jett.<\/p>\n
The 20-year-old has been named on the Warriors\u2019 bench for their State Cup clash with Broncos feeder side Burleigh Bears, which kicks off at 1:20pm.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s paid dividends.<\/p>\n
Watch every game of the NRL Telstra Premiership Finals Series before the Grand Final, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.<\/a><\/p>\n WHAT’S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.<\/p>\n Broncos seek Title in Madge’s first year | 03:15<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n He\u2019s held his starting spot since Round 17, however since Tanah Boyd has returned to NSW Cup, Cleary has dropped back to the bench.<\/p>\n He got minimal minutes in the Warriors\u2019 win over the Dragons in the NSW Cup Grand Final last week and will likely get limited opportunities again today \u2014 unless there\u2019s an injury in the spine.<\/p>\n Regardless, it\u2019s been a successful club switch for Cleary, who has taken a significant step this season towards a future NRL debut. <\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s filled a role every time he\u2019s had to,\u201d former Warriors playmaker Shaun Johnson said on The Matty Johns Show. <\/p>\n \u201cJett\u2019s got that gene, that Cleary gene, where they just go after the contest. He\u2019s definitely got it. He\u2019s a goer, puts the chin down, knows when to take the line on.<\/p>\n \u201cBut the thing is, Tanah Boyd, there was a stat where he didn\u2019t lose a game all year. Every game he played … he was maybe 15 from 15 in Cup. He was their calming influence. <\/p>\n \u201cSo 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\u2019s able to do this sort of stuff.\u201d<\/p>\n MORE GRAND FINAL NEWS<\/p>\n GRAND FINAL DAY LIVE: Storm face Broncos in blockbuster decider<\/a><\/p>\n CRYSTAL BALL: Fox League experts\u2019 narrow favourite… and big split on medal<\/a><\/p>\n NRLW GF VERDICT: Upset powered by heartache, \u2018heated\u2019 clash that could explode<\/a><\/p>\n ULTIMATE GUIDE: Everything you need to know ahead of 2025 decider<\/a><\/p>\n The Warriors finished comfortably as NSW Cup minor premiers 11 points clear of second place \u2014 after a dominant season which saw them go on a 14-game winning streak that was only ended by a draw.<\/p>\n \u201cThe pathways at the club, I guess since Covid, we\u2019ve been able to go home and re-establish them, and the club\u2019s done a terrific job,\u201d Johnson said.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat you\u2019ve 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.<\/p>\n \u201cBut 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 \u2018iron sharpens iron\u2019 mentality. They reckon training scrimmage opposed sessions have just been through the roof.<\/p>\n \u201cAwesome to see the boys get up, a real good crop of young talent coming through.\u201d<\/p>\n Bellamy prepared for 11th GF | 01:06<\/p>\n The Warriors will take on Queensland Cup premiers Burleigh Bears, who also finished their season as minor premiers.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cMy man Luke Burt, he\u2019s been thereabouts the last couple of years, well deserved win against the Devils the other week,\u201d Nathan Hindmarsh said of his former Eels teammate. <\/p>\n \u201cBurty, he\u2019s 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\u2019s a calming influence. <\/p>\n \u201cA lot of these players today, they\u2019ve got to be told 10, 15 times in a week about something, but the way Burty can explain things to them, it\u2019s just … he\u2019s got that gift.\u201d<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s Burty\u2019s philosophy too,\u201d Hindmarsh continued.<\/p>\n \u201cObviously Burty, he\u2019s played a lot of first grade himself. Of course he does (have ambitions to be an NRL coach) but he\u2019s not going to put himself out there. <\/p>\n He\u2019ll bide his time and he\u2019ll just wait, but obviously things like this are going to help.\u201d<\/p>\n Since it\u2019s inception in 2014, the Queensland-based team has only won three State Premierships \u2014 including Norths Devils\u2019 two-point win over Newtown last year. <\/p>\n MORE GRAND FINAL NEWS<\/p>\n WHERE ARE THE BRONCOS NOW? Pool building, in the mines and teaching<\/a><\/p>\n GF TALKING POINTS: Grant\u2019s \u2018genius\u2019 new milking act; Kev\u2019s Broncos fear<\/a><\/p>\n \u2018DOZED OFF\u2019: Hilarious Munster moment, Bellamy\u2019s cheeky dig highlight presser<\/a><\/p>\n