He's won four titles, but this is Cleary's grand final
The Penrith playmaker is only 27 but he's on track to go down as the greatest player we've ever seen, with Cleary already boasting four grand final wins in a row to go with two Clive Churchill Medals and World Cup glory.
But the one question mark is getting the job done in the Origin arena where his record stands at eight wins and eight losses, with the champion No.7 winless in his previous two deciders that has led to claims that this is his final frontier.
The 2020 and 2022 deciders still sting, especially given he never had the chance to avenge those losses due to injuries that limited him to just one appearance in 2023 and none the following year.
But he gets the chance to make amends in front of a sold-out crowd in Sydney where more than 80,000 fans are being encouraged to enjoy the night and drink in moderation to ensure respectful fan behaviour in the stands.
'Being a part of Origin as a player is the pinnacle and it's the most watched three games of the year by fans with the passion and the excitement,' rugby league legend and DrinkWise ambassador Brett Kimmorley said.
'As a former player, I love to see all that passion in the crowd, but I also want to make sure everyone has a great experience.
'I'm a father of four daughters, so I want to go out and be able to enjoy experiences and make smart choices so I can remember the night.
'It's important to get the message out that the game of football is the best part of the night, rather than having a bad experience (by not drinking in moderation).' Brett Kimmorley has joined DrinkWise and is encouraging fans to drink in moderation. Supplied Credit: Supplied
Kimmorley played in plenty of big games, including 10 matches for the Blues, and he's backing Cleary to nail the key moments on Wednesday night.
'I don't think he has anything to prove. He's a four-time premiership winner and the best halfback in our competition,' Kimmorley said, noticing how calm and confident the halfback appears now that the Panthers are winning again.
'He's had eight wins and eight losses as a NSW halfback, so he's at a moment where it's set up for him to be on the grand stage and put a performance in that we've seen from some of the greats.
'I class an Origin player who can handle it and put big moments in as one of our best players in the competition.
'I don't think I played great a lot in my Origin campaign, but I felt like my club football and Test career is where I had some big moments.
'If you look at some of the greats who are coaching the teams – Laurie Daley and Billy Slater – they came up with some huge plays and owned Origin on certain occasions.
'Nathan doesn't need to do it because he's won grand finals on his own and helped Penrith win four comps, but his ability to put a masterclass in Origin is one thing that he hasn't done yet.
'If there's ever a moment set up for him to win a decider in Sydney, I think it's set up for his legacy to grow as it has already in his career.'
Cleary has enjoyed some magical moments at Accor Stadium and has the chance to do something he's never done before having watched his teammates win the decider 12 months ago.
'It would mean the world being able to play a decider at home with everything on the line,' he said.
'We're sort of just framing it like it's a grand final because it is. It's sort of got that mentality and I'm looking forward to that challenge. Obviously, on the other side of this challenge is going to be either really disappointed or really happy.
'Watching last year's one was incredible, but there was that sort of envy there that I wasn't able to be a part of it and play. It's come full circle now and I get the opportunity to be in one. These are the games that you want to play in.'
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