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August 30, 2026 \u2014 4:53pm<\/p>\n
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Remove items from your saved list<\/a> to add more.<\/p>\n AAA<\/p>\n Ivan Cleary would have sat in a corporate box at Go Media Stadium with mixed emotions on Sunday afternoon.<\/p>\n His 21-year-old son, Jett, had just made his NRL debut for the New Zealand Warriors and more than held his own.<\/p>\n His kicking game was excellent, he survived plenty of early pressure from the Newcastle Knights and finished with four try assists, including stepping off his left foot and throwing the final pass for Jacob Laban\u2019s first half try.<\/p>\n Jett\u2019s famous older brother Nathan, who also made the trek to New Zealand, was caught by the TV cameras having a giggle when the playmaker was upended by the Knights late and a melee erupted.<\/p>\n While Jett will never forget the sunny \u2013 then rainy \u2013 afternoon when he helped the Warriors to a 46-32 win over the Knights, the result also meant Ivan and Nathan\u2019s Penrith dropped to second on the ladder.<\/p>\n The Panthers head into the final round trailing the Warriors by just one on points differential. Thanks, Jett.<\/p>\n The Warriors will host Manly while the Panthers complete their regular season against Wests Tigers. Either way, both teams are now assured of a home qualifying final.<\/p>\n Warriors coach Andrew Webster is firming to be crowned Dally M coach of the year for guiding the Warriors to a potential minor premiership, not to mention building a squad with such excellent depth.<\/p>\n Jett will return home to Penrith to be coached by Ivan next year before the coach walks away from the Panthers to spend time with family, travel and potentially mentor representative sides. Jett was only given his start on Sunday following injuries to halves Luke Metcalf (hamstring), Te Maire Martin (hamstring) and Chanel Harris-Tavita (hamstring tightness).<\/p>\n The Warriors have been protective of Jett, who has attracted plenty of interest due to his surname.<\/p>\n The Warriors were delighted for him at full-time.<\/p>\n \u201cI thought he looked like he belonged,\u201d co-captain Mitch Barnett said. \u201cHe defended really well. [Knights winger Greg] Marzhew is not easy to handle. Even their back-rower [Francis Manuleleua] has been causing havoc on his edge. Jett held his gloves up. He\u2019ll only get better each time he takes the field.\u201d<\/p>\n Knights captain Kalyn Ponga said: \u201cI think he went well, he played his role; he\u2019ll be proud and his family will be proud. When you\u2019re sitting at home in years to come and you look back at your debut, it\u2019s a win, so he\u2019ll be happy.\u201d<\/p>\n Cleary may play again next week now Webster has the opportunity to rest a few of his main men knowing it will not impact the club\u2019s chances of hosting a final in week one of the play-offs. Webster was giving little away.<\/p>\n The Knights will also play finals, but the loss to the Warriors proved costly. Representative prop Jacob Saifiti was sent off in the 12th minute and may not play again this year after a high shot on Luke Laulilii.<\/p>\n Laulilii switched to the Warriors mid-season from Wests Tigers, but his first game for his new club ended early after he suffered a category-one head knock.<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/aa4b9fa244955185d2bbe97d72dcd6ab08cf1119.jpeg\")
The Cleary family congratulate Jett at full-time.Getty Images<\/p>\n
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