Ivan Cleary prepares for star son’s Penrith exit | Sporting News Australia
Since 2021, father and son duo Ivan and Nathan Cleary have been the NRL’s high watermark, combining for an unprecedented level of success in Penrith.
But as the 2025 season approaches, and with it a chance to win a fifth trophy, one member of the Cleary family will be competing in a different jersey.
When it comes to big shoes to fill, they don’t get much larger than Nathan Cleary, arguably the current best player in the world.
That’s why, according to Nathan’s coach and father Ivan Cleary, the youngest Cleary – Jett – is departing Penrith in an effort to carve out a name for himself at a new team.
Jett, 19, is set to join the New Zealand Warriors next season, rejoining his nation of birth as he looks to move out from under the shadows of his older brother and dad.
“I guess we’ve all been avoiding talking too much about this moment,” Ivan Cleary told the Daily Telegraph.
“We’re all a bit getting sad. Jett is the life of the party around here.
“I know his mum is starting to realise that it’s getting real that he’s leaving.
“It’s a little sad that he won’t be wearing the Panthers jersey, but I’m really happy for him from life perspective, but also from a footy perspective.
“Every time he steps on the field he’s Nathan’s brother, I think it is incredibly difficult for him.
“He plays in the same position which you know, we even tried to manipulate his positions over the years, but that’s where he’s best at, so that’s where he should play, and I guess the more success Nathan’s had and even our club has had, the more pressure and expectation and comparison that Jett gets, it’s not fair.
“Hopefully this will be a smoother path for him and he will be he’ll be his own man.”
The youngest Cleary will join the Warriors on a three-year deal, after an impressive junior career at Penrith.