Nathan Cleary is expected to remain with the Penrith Panthers, with his management this week informing the NRL's 18th franchise, the PNG Chiefs, that the star halfback would be staying put.
Cleary's contract has been the biggest story in rugby league all year, with fears he could be tempted by the tax-free dollars on offer in Port Moresby if allowed to test the open market on November 1. The Chiefs had made clear they were prepared to pay top dollar for a halfback to make them an instant success.
Sources with knowledge of the situation not authorised to speak publicly said Cleary's camp gave the Chiefs a courtesy call late Wednesday to say he would remain at the Western Sydney club. The call came on the same day Chiefs officials were photographed arriving in Papua New Guinea with Canberra forward Hudson Young.
Colleague Danny Weidler reported that Cleary and Penrith were working towards a two-year extension, with a further two seasons in Cleary's favour. If that eventuates, Cleary would remain at the Panthers until the end of 2031, his 16th season in the top flight.
Cleary, 28, and his management were happy to park all talks while he recovered from double surgery on his foot and ankle at his parents' home on the northern beaches. Penrith approached his management in late September to ask what kind of money he had in mind if he was "hypothetically" prepared to entertain offers from rival NRL clubs, and were later informed of that figure. It has been widely speculated his new deal will be at least $1.7 million a season, which would make him the richest player in the game.
Fellow co-captain Isaah Yeo has repeatedly confirmed he is in the final stages of signing his own extension, expected to be for three years. Prop Moses Leota and backrower Liam Martin remain the club's other key targets, with negotiations expected to ramp up once their World Cup commitments with New Zealand and Australia finish.
With Cleary staying put, the Chiefs will need to look for a playmaker elsewhere. Sydney Roosters premiership winner Sam Walker has been informed he is free to leave Bondi immediately, while Storm's Cameron Munster has been allowed to test his market value.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- Cleary's decision ends the biggest contract saga of the NRL year and keeps the league's marquee halfback at Penrith.
- The PNG Chiefs lose their top target and must find a playmaker elsewhere ahead of their entry as the 18th franchise.
- The expected deal, at a speculated minimum of $1.7 million a season, would make Cleary the highest-paid player in the game.
- Penrith is moving to keep its core together, with Isaah Yeo close to signing a three-year extension.
Background
Nathan Cleary is the Penrith Panthers' co-captain and halfback, widely regarded as the best player in the game. His contract became the dominant rugby league story of the year because he was eligible to test the open market from November 1, with the PNG Chiefs, based in Port Moresby, prepared to offer tax-free money to lure him.
Key Perspectives
Cleary's management: politely informed the PNG Chiefs late Wednesday that he would remain with Penrith.
The PNG Chiefs: had made clear they were prepared to pay top dollar for a halfback to make them an instant success.
Penrith Panthers: approached Cleary's management in late September to ask what money he would have in mind if he was "hypothetically" prepared to entertain offers from rival clubs.
What to Watch
- Whether the two-year extension, plus a further two seasons in Cleary's favour, is officially confirmed by the Panthers.
- Isaah Yeo's expected three-year extension, with both parties finalising details of his post-playing role at the club.
- Which playmaker the PNG Chiefs pursue, with Sam Walker free to leave the Roosters immediately and Cameron Munster allowed to test his market value.
- Negotiations with Moses Leota and Liam Martin once their World Cup commitments end.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedCleary is expected to re-sign with Penrith after his management told the PNG Chiefs he would stay.The Age - Latest News: “Nathan Cleary set to re-sign with Panthers after courtesy call to Chiefs. Nathan Cleary is expected to pledge his future to the Penrith Panthers after his management politely informed the PNG Chiefs late Wednesday the star halfback would be staying put.”
- SupportedCleary’s management made the Chiefs a courtesy call late Wednesday to say he would stay at Penrith.The Age - Latest News: “sources with knowledge of the situation not authorised to speak publicly confirmed Cleary’s camp gave the club a courtesy call to inform them he would remain with the Western Sydney club.”
- SupportedThe Chiefs will need to look to the market for a playmaker if Cleary stays.The Age - Latest News: “With Cleary to stay, the Chiefs will need to look to the market for a playmaker”
- SupportedCleary and Penrith are working towards a two-year extension, with a further two seasons in Cleary’s favour.The Age - Latest News: “Colleague Danny Weidler reported late Wednesday that Cleary and Penrith were working towards a two-year extension, with a further two seasons in Cleary’s favour.”
- SupportedIf the extension eventuates, Cleary would remain at Penrith until the end of 2031, his 16th season in the top flight.The Age - Latest News: “If that eventuates, Cleary would remain at the Panthers until the end of 2031, which would be his 16th season in the top flight.”
- SupportedCleary and his management were happy to pause talks while he recovered from double surgery on his foot and ankle at his parents’ home.The Age - Latest News: “Cleary, 28, and his management were happy to park all talks as he recovered from double surgery on his foot and ankle at his parents’ home on the northern beaches.”
- SupportedPenrith approached Cleary’s management in late September to ask what money he had in mind if he were hypothetically open to offers from rival clubs.The Age - Latest News: “Penrith approached Cleary’s management in late September to ask what kind of money the star halfback had in mind if he was “hypothetically” prepared to entertain offers from rival NRL clubs.”
- SupportedIt has been widely speculated that Cleary’s new deal will be at least $1.7 million a season, which would make him the game’s richest player.The Age - Latest News: “It has been widely speculated Cleary’s new deal will be at least $1.7 million a season, which would make him the richest player in the game.”
- SupportedYeo has repeatedly confirmed he is in the final stages of signing an extension expected to be for three years.The Age - Latest News: “Fellow co-captain Isaah Yeo has repeatedly confirmed he is in the final stages of signing his own extension, which is expected to be for three years.”
- SupportedLeota and Martin remain Penrith’s other key targets, with negotiations expected to ramp up after their World Cup commitments with New Zealand and Australia finish.The Age - Latest News: “Prop Moses Leota and backrower Liam Martin remain the club’s other two key targets, with negotiations expected to ramp up with the pair once their World Cup commitments with New Zealand and Australia finish.”
- SupportedSam Walker has been informed he is free to leave the Roosters immediately.The Age - Latest News: “Sydney Roosters’ premiership winner Sam Walker already informed he is free to leave Bondi immediately”
- SupportedThe Storm has allowed Cameron Munster to test his market value.The Age - Latest News: “fellow Kangaroos and Queensland Origin player Cameron Munster has been allowed to test his market value by the Storm.”