Latest news with #CliveChurchillMedal
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Why Cleary isn't fazed by final frontier narrative
The narrative around Nathan Cleary has been that he needs to dominate State of Origin to be considered one of the greatest players of all time, but the Blues halfback insists this year's series doesn't feel like the 'final frontier'. Cleary, 27, has won four premierships in a row, has claimed the Clive Churchill Medal twice, won a World Cup and has been a part of three successful Origin campaigns. He's on track to smash several NRL records and has been the main man in the most dominant team of the modern era, yet there are people who still point to his Origin record and wonder whether he deserves to be in the Immortal conversation. Cleary has a 7-7 record for NSW and has played just one match for his state since the start of 2023, with serious hamstring injuries plaguing him and forcing him to miss the epic comeback win last year. The champion halfback has heard the chat and accepts that it will follow him around throughout this year's series, but he says it won't define him as he looks to make up for lost time. 'I think that's the way it's probably shaped sometimes, and I do want to play better at Origin level,' he said. 'But I'm not shaping it as a final frontier. 'There's still a lot of my rugby league life to live. I want to keep getting better. This Origin journey is in front of me right now, so I want to attack that as best I can. 'I think I've just got to prove it to my teammates, especially after watching last year and seeing how well they did. 'You've just got to capitalise and do the same again. 'It's about proving myself to my teammates and showing that I'm meant to be here, and I'm confident that I can get the job done. 'At the end of the day, it's not about me. It's about this team, so I want to put my best foot forward for the whole week and then be at my best come game day.' Blues skipper and Cleary's co-captain at the Panthers, Isaah Yeo, knows Cleary better than most. It's why he's backing the gifted playmaker to use the criticism as motivation, with Yeo just happy to see Cleary back in the sky blue jersey after so many cruel setbacks. 'I don't know if he'd give it much thought, but if he does, I'm sure it'd fuel the fire a bit,' the veteran lock said. 'You know how much the jersey means to him. You only have to look back at when he did his hammy before the series last year and how shattered he was. 'I feel like he's so ready for this moment. It's been building for a few years, so I'm excited to see him back in this environment because I know what he brings to a team and how much confidence he'll give the group.' Cleary's next challenge will be working alongside Mitchell Moses in the halves, with the Eels star edging Jarome Luai for the five-eighth spot. Luai and Cleary have carved up for the Panthers and Blues in the past, but Cleary is excited about the new combination even though both men are chief playmakers at club level and prefer to play on the right. Both players have spoken about being willing to step back if the other guy is in control, with Cleary's crucial tries against Brisbane showing that he can do some of his best work on the left. 'I think we both understand the game really well and I think we can use that to our advantage for what's needed at the right time and to stand up in the right moments,' said Cleary, who should start on the right given his combination with Liam Martin and Stephen Crichton. 'At the end of the day, it's about what's right for the team. It's not letting egos get in the way, we've got to complement each other and get the best out of each other. 'I don't mind, and the way it should work is that we can roam around and see how that works. I think both of us are quite capable of playing left or right.'
Perth Now
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Why Cleary isn't fazed by final frontier narrative
The narrative around Nathan Cleary has been that he needs to dominate State of Origin to be considered one of the greatest players of all time, but the Blues halfback insists this year's series doesn't feel like the 'final frontier'. Cleary, 27, has won four premierships in a row, has claimed the Clive Churchill Medal twice, won a World Cup and has been a part of three successful Origin campaigns. He's on track to smash several NRL records and has been the main man in the most dominant team of the modern era, yet there are people who still point to his Origin record and wonder whether he deserves to be in the Immortal conversation. Cleary has a 7-7 record for NSW and has played just one match for his state since the start of 2023, with serious hamstring injuries plaguing him and forcing him to miss the epic comeback win last year. The champion halfback has heard the chat and accepts that it will follow him around throughout this year's series, but he says it won't define him as he looks to make up for lost time. 'I think that's the way it's probably shaped sometimes, and I do want to play better at Origin level,' he said. 'But I'm not shaping it as a final frontier. 'There's still a lot of my rugby league life to live. I want to keep getting better. This Origin journey is in front of me right now, so I want to attack that as best I can. 'I think I've just got to prove it to my teammates, especially after watching last year and seeing how well they did. 'You've just got to capitalise and do the same again. 'It's about proving myself to my teammates and showing that I'm meant to be here, and I'm confident that I can get the job done. 'At the end of the day, it's not about me. It's about this team, so I want to put my best foot forward for the whole week and then be at my best come game day.' Blues skipper and Cleary's co-captain at the Panthers, Isaah Yeo, knows Cleary better than most. It's why he's backing the gifted playmaker to use the criticism as motivation, with Yeo just happy to see Cleary back in the sky blue jersey after so many cruel setbacks. 'I don't know if he'd give it much thought, but if he does, I'm sure it'd fuel the fire a bit,' the veteran lock said. 'You know how much the jersey means to him. You only have to look back at when he did his hammy before the series last year and how shattered he was. 'I feel like he's so ready for this moment. It's been building for a few years, so I'm excited to see him back in this environment because I know what he brings to a team and how much confidence he'll give the group.' Cleary's next challenge will be working alongside Mitchell Moses in the halves, with the Eels star edging Jarome Luai for the five-eighth spot. Luai and Cleary have carved up for the Panthers and Blues in the past, but Cleary is excited about the new combination even though both men are chief playmakers at club level and prefer to play on the right. Both players have spoken about being willing to step back if the other guy is in control, with Cleary's crucial tries against Brisbane showing that he can do some of his best work on the left. 'I think we both understand the game really well and I think we can use that to our advantage for what's needed at the right time and to stand up in the right moments,' said Cleary, who should start on the right given his combination with Liam Martin and Stephen Crichton. 'At the end of the day, it's about what's right for the team. It's not letting egos get in the way, we've got to complement each other and get the best out of each other. 'I don't mind, and the way it should work is that we can roam around and see how that works. I think both of us are quite capable of playing left or right.'
The Advertiser
11-05-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Bellamy backs Papenhuyzen for NSW Origin call-up
Coach Craig Bellamy says Ryan Papenhuyzen won't let NSW down if the superstar Storm fullback is finally given a chance in the State of Origin arena. Papenhuyzen put his hand up for Origin selection with a record-breaking performance against Wests Tigers, scoring four tries among a club record personal haul of 36 points. He crossed three times in the opening 17 minutes at AAMI Park on Sunday, to set Melbourne up for a 64-0 romp. The 26-year-old has come achingly close to making his Origin debut in the past, only for injury to wreck his chances. After helping the Storm to the 2020 premiership and winning the Clive Churchill Medal for MVP in the grand final, he was named in the extended NSW squad for the COVID-hit 2020 end-of-year Origin series before being forced out with a calf injury. He started 2021 with a bang but missed the entire Origin period due to concussion. In 2022, it was hamstring and knee injuries, while in 2023 he was still recovering from a horror fractured knee-cap. Last season, Papenhuyzen's bad luck continued with an ankle fracture in round nine just prior to the Origin period. Bellamy, a special advisor to Blues coach Laurie Daley, said Papenhuyzen was in "red-hot form". "I can't remember too many players scoring three tries in that quick succession of time, especially at the start of the game, so he was certainly on the ball today and got some real rewards for him and the team," Bellamy said. "There's a lot of good fullbacks around so that'll be something for the selectors to decide but at the end of the day, he's never going to let anyone down, without a doubt." Papenhuyzen faces some stiff competition for the NSW fullback jersey from incumbent, Panthers gun Dylan Edwards, who helped steer the Blues to a series victory last year. Former NSW captain James Tedesco, who played in Origin I last year, has returned to imperious form with the Sydney Roosters. Back in 2020 Papenhuyzen was included in the NSW squad by then coach Brad Fittler as a bench utility, after filling that role at the Storm before he made the No.1 jersey his own. Bellamy said the former Australian Schoolboy and NSW under 20s representative could again handle such a job, providing the Blues with an injection of genuine speed. "I think so," he said. "Usually these days that fourth bench player can play dummy-half and play probably in the halves a little bit as well and I think he could do that well if he had to. "At the end of the day, it'll be up to the selectors and what they think but as I said, he won't let anyone, or himself down." Coach Craig Bellamy says Ryan Papenhuyzen won't let NSW down if the superstar Storm fullback is finally given a chance in the State of Origin arena. Papenhuyzen put his hand up for Origin selection with a record-breaking performance against Wests Tigers, scoring four tries among a club record personal haul of 36 points. He crossed three times in the opening 17 minutes at AAMI Park on Sunday, to set Melbourne up for a 64-0 romp. The 26-year-old has come achingly close to making his Origin debut in the past, only for injury to wreck his chances. After helping the Storm to the 2020 premiership and winning the Clive Churchill Medal for MVP in the grand final, he was named in the extended NSW squad for the COVID-hit 2020 end-of-year Origin series before being forced out with a calf injury. He started 2021 with a bang but missed the entire Origin period due to concussion. In 2022, it was hamstring and knee injuries, while in 2023 he was still recovering from a horror fractured knee-cap. Last season, Papenhuyzen's bad luck continued with an ankle fracture in round nine just prior to the Origin period. Bellamy, a special advisor to Blues coach Laurie Daley, said Papenhuyzen was in "red-hot form". "I can't remember too many players scoring three tries in that quick succession of time, especially at the start of the game, so he was certainly on the ball today and got some real rewards for him and the team," Bellamy said. "There's a lot of good fullbacks around so that'll be something for the selectors to decide but at the end of the day, he's never going to let anyone down, without a doubt." Papenhuyzen faces some stiff competition for the NSW fullback jersey from incumbent, Panthers gun Dylan Edwards, who helped steer the Blues to a series victory last year. Former NSW captain James Tedesco, who played in Origin I last year, has returned to imperious form with the Sydney Roosters. Back in 2020 Papenhuyzen was included in the NSW squad by then coach Brad Fittler as a bench utility, after filling that role at the Storm before he made the No.1 jersey his own. Bellamy said the former Australian Schoolboy and NSW under 20s representative could again handle such a job, providing the Blues with an injection of genuine speed. "I think so," he said. "Usually these days that fourth bench player can play dummy-half and play probably in the halves a little bit as well and I think he could do that well if he had to. "At the end of the day, it'll be up to the selectors and what they think but as I said, he won't let anyone, or himself down." Coach Craig Bellamy says Ryan Papenhuyzen won't let NSW down if the superstar Storm fullback is finally given a chance in the State of Origin arena. Papenhuyzen put his hand up for Origin selection with a record-breaking performance against Wests Tigers, scoring four tries among a club record personal haul of 36 points. He crossed three times in the opening 17 minutes at AAMI Park on Sunday, to set Melbourne up for a 64-0 romp. The 26-year-old has come achingly close to making his Origin debut in the past, only for injury to wreck his chances. After helping the Storm to the 2020 premiership and winning the Clive Churchill Medal for MVP in the grand final, he was named in the extended NSW squad for the COVID-hit 2020 end-of-year Origin series before being forced out with a calf injury. He started 2021 with a bang but missed the entire Origin period due to concussion. In 2022, it was hamstring and knee injuries, while in 2023 he was still recovering from a horror fractured knee-cap. Last season, Papenhuyzen's bad luck continued with an ankle fracture in round nine just prior to the Origin period. Bellamy, a special advisor to Blues coach Laurie Daley, said Papenhuyzen was in "red-hot form". "I can't remember too many players scoring three tries in that quick succession of time, especially at the start of the game, so he was certainly on the ball today and got some real rewards for him and the team," Bellamy said. "There's a lot of good fullbacks around so that'll be something for the selectors to decide but at the end of the day, he's never going to let anyone down, without a doubt." Papenhuyzen faces some stiff competition for the NSW fullback jersey from incumbent, Panthers gun Dylan Edwards, who helped steer the Blues to a series victory last year. Former NSW captain James Tedesco, who played in Origin I last year, has returned to imperious form with the Sydney Roosters. Back in 2020 Papenhuyzen was included in the NSW squad by then coach Brad Fittler as a bench utility, after filling that role at the Storm before he made the No.1 jersey his own. Bellamy said the former Australian Schoolboy and NSW under 20s representative could again handle such a job, providing the Blues with an injection of genuine speed. "I think so," he said. "Usually these days that fourth bench player can play dummy-half and play probably in the halves a little bit as well and I think he could do that well if he had to. "At the end of the day, it'll be up to the selectors and what they think but as I said, he won't let anyone, or himself down."
Perth Now
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Bellamy backs Papenhuyzen for NSW Origin call-up
Coach Craig Bellamy says Ryan Papenhuyzen won't let NSW down if the superstar Storm fullback is finally given a chance in the State of Origin arena. Papenhuyzen put his hand up for Origin selection with a record-breaking performance against Wests Tigers, scoring four tries among a club record personal haul of 36 points. He crossed three times in the opening 17 minutes at AAMI Park on Sunday, to set Melbourne up for a 64-0 romp. The 26-year-old has come achingly close to making his Origin debut in the past, only for injury to wreck his chances. After helping the Storm to the 2020 premiership and winning the Clive Churchill Medal for MVP in the grand final, he was named in the extended NSW squad for the COVID-hit 2020 end-of-year Origin series before being forced out with a calf injury. He started 2021 with a bang but missed the entire Origin period due to concussion. In 2022, it was hamstring and knee injuries, while in 2023 he was still recovering from a horror fractured knee-cap. There's just no stopping Papenhuyzen today 😳#NRLStormTigers NRL (@NRL) May 11, 2025 Last season, Papenhuyzen's bad luck continued with an ankle fracture in round nine just prior to the Origin period. Bellamy, a special advisor to Blues coach Laurie Daley, said Papenhuyzen was in "red-hot form". "I can't remember too many players scoring three tries in that quick succession of time, especially at the start of the game, so he was certainly on the ball today and got some real rewards for him and the team," Bellamy said. "There's a lot of good fullbacks around so that'll be something for the selectors to decide but at the end of the day, he's never going to let anyone down, without a doubt." Papenhuyzen faces some stiff competition for the NSW fullback jersey from incumbent, Panthers gun Dylan Edwards, who helped steer the Blues to a series victory last year. Former NSW captain James Tedesco, who played in Origin I last year, has returned to imperious form with the Sydney Roosters. Back in 2020 Papenhuyzen was included in the NSW squad by then coach Brad Fittler as a bench utility, after filling that role at the Storm before he made the No.1 jersey his own. Bellamy said the former Australian Schoolboy and NSW under 20s representative could again handle such a job, providing the Blues with an injection of genuine speed. "I think so," he said. "Usually these days that fourth bench player can play dummy-half and play probably in the halves a little bit as well and I think he could do that well if he had to. "At the end of the day, it'll be up to the selectors and what they think but as I said, he won't let anyone, or himself down."
West Australian
27-04-2025
- Business
- West Australian
First $2 million man set to strike NRL gold in Perth
The new Perth NRL side will present an opportunity for the first player in the history of the game to break the $2 million barrier due to likely increases to the salary cap. Western Reds great Mark Geyer and respected NRL player manager Simon Mammino agree players at the elite end of the spectrum now have the opportunity to maximise their earnings like never before with the introduction of the Perth-based Bears in 2027. That will only increase in 2028 with the NRL introduction of PNG. North Sydney Bears board member Billy Moore told AAP that the market for players would explode and that the $14 million dollar deal across 10 years for Dylan Brown to join Newcastle would be regarded as "benign" due to supply-and-demand pressures. Mammino brokered a $12 million decade-long contract for Gold Coast prop and captain Tino Fa'asuamaleaui that has ratchet clauses tied to the increases in the salary cap. NRL clubs will have $12.7 million to spend in 2027 which is the last year of the current broadcast rights deal, understood to be worth $2 billion. ARLC chairman Peter V'landys has said he is targeting $3 billion for 2028-2032. Mammino said a conservative estimate would place the salary cap at $15 million in 2028 if the game maximised broadcast revenues. "The $2 million contract is on the cards for an elite half or fullback," Mammino told AAP. "It may not happen in Perth's first year but it definitely could in the second year if they keep the same number of players in the rosters because you are probably looking at an extra $3 million to spend on 30 players. "If the minimum player wage of $150, 000 in 2027 doesn't rise too much you could have 10 players on $2 million in total, leaving you $13 million to spend on 20 players. "The introduction of Perth and PNG is going to push up the price of elite players and there will be more lower end players because a lot of them are not going to be up to NRL speed. "There are more clubs, less product. The price goes up." Geyer, who was the biggest rugby league name to play for Perth-based Western Reds (1995-97), said the new franchise would aim high. "Imagine getting a marquee player to Perth like a Lachie Galvin, Ryan Papenhuyzen, Sam Walker or a Jahrome Hughes," Geyer said. "I really think we could see the first $2 million dollar player once the new broadcast deal kicks in. "Perth is going to be a magnet. It was a fantastic voyage for me and I am sure modern NRL players will want to be a part of it. They will embrace it." Melbourne half Hughes and fullback Papenhuyzen are both off contract at the end of 2026 and right in Perth's target range. Papenhuyzen does have a mutual option for 2027 in his deal with the Storm but AAP understands the 2020 Clive Churchill Medal winner is a prime target for Perth given his elite talent and marketability. Wests Tigers prodigy Lachlan Galvin is also available for 2027 while Sydney Roosters playmaker Walker can join a new club from 2028. Canterbury boss Phil Gould said if there was a hypothetical NRL auction, he would pay Penrith captain Nathan Cleary "two and a half million dollars". "Players like Reece Walsh and Nathan Cleary, someone would pay extraordinary money for them," Gould said on the Six Tackles with Gus podcast. "At the moment, I think the quality playmakers are probably underpaid. "The problem is if Nathan Cleary is a $2 million player, then every halfback takes his rating off that. It raises the cost of the average emerging player."
