Young NRL Talent Jett Cleary Signs Three-Year Deal with Rival Club
In a surprising move, 19-year-old rugby league prodigy Jett Cleary has inked a three-year contract with a rival NRL club, departing from his roots at the Panthers. The promising playmaker, whose family boasts deep connections to the game, will bid farewell to the Panthers, where his father has coached and his brother achieved NRL glory with three consecutive premierships.
A product of St Dominic’s College in Penrith, Cleary has been honing his skills in the Panthers’ junior system. However, the allure of a new opportunity beckoned, leading him to make the pivotal decision to join forces with Andrew Webster’s outfit alongside fellow Panther James Fisher-Harris.
Cameron George, CEO of the Warriors, expressed excitement at Cleary’s signing, highlighting the familial ties that bind the Clearys to the club. With Ivan Cleary’s past tenure and the family’s Auckland roots, the move holds special significance for both parties.
Jett Cleary’s journey comes full circle as he returns to his city of birth, Auckland, where his father Ivan once donned the Warriors jersey. Despite leaving New Zealand at a young age, Cleary’s ties to the club and the city run deep, setting the stage for a homecoming of sorts.
Andrew McFadden, Warriors’ recruitment manager, lauded Cleary’s pedigree and understanding of the game, citing his development through Penrith’s esteemed pathways program. With an older brother like Nathan Cleary, hailed as the NRL’s premier halfback, Jett Cleary undoubtedly carries a weighty expectation as he embarks on this new chapter of his career.
As the 2024 NRL season looms, all eyes will be on Jett Cleary as he aims to carve out his own legacy in the fiercely competitive arena of professional rugby league. With his talent, determination, and familial support behind him, Cleary’s journey promises to be one of intrigue and potential as he takes the field in the colors of his new club.
