Nathan Cleary is quietly confident Jarome Luai will remain at Penrith and the pair can try to emulate Melbourne’s sustained success at the top of the NRL.
Cleary is also hopeful his father, Ivan, will not be ignored for a third straight year when it comes to coach-of-the-year honours.
The NRL’s best player was excellent in just his second game back from a hamstring injury against Cronulla, and looms as the key man when the premiers host the Storm in Friday night’s heavyweight blockbuster at BlueBet Stadium.
Much has been made about the future of Luai and whether he will be offered a new deal at Penrith beyond 2024.
He has parted ways with his management, while Canterbury and coach Cameron Ciraldo have been linked to Luai.
Cleary, however, told this masthead he was confident he could convince his childhood halves partner to stay put.
The Prince of Penrith: Nathan ClearyCredit: Getty
Even though Luai might command more than $1 million elsewhere – a hefty price tag Penrith cannot match – Cleary knows there is no price you can place on being at a club with a genuine chance to win multiple premierships.
“We’ve ridden this rollercoaster together, he’s one of my great mates, he’s like a brother, so of course I want him to stay,” Cleary said.
“I never want to lose ‘Romy’. Don’t worry, I’ve been in his ear. I definitely know he can earn more [elsewhere], but fingers crossed we can keep him. I think we can keep him.
“Missing out on the last Origin was tough on him. But he has thick skin. I thought he handled [that Origin omission] well, and he came back to Penrith with a smile on his face.
Nathan Cleary is confident Jarome Luai will re-sign with the premiersCredit: Getty Images
“He’s constantly trying to get better, despite the success he’s had. I’m so proud of him. And I want him here.”
Penrith have won the past two titles and remain right in the premiership window, despite being forced to let go of Viliame Kikau, Api Koroisau, Matt Burton and Kurt Capewell because of cap pressure. Stephen Crichton and Jaeman Salmon will exit at the end of this year.
Cleary’s assistants Ciraldo and Andrew Webster have also taken the top jobs at Canterbury and the New Zealand Warriors respectively, which only adds to the magnificent feats of the coach.
Cleary lost out to North Queensland’s Todd Payten last year, despite Penrith winning the minor premiership with a few weeks of the regular season remaining, while the front-runners for this year’s award are Webster and Brisbane’s Kevin Walters.
Melbourne’s Jahrome Hughes was brilliant against Parramatta last weekCredit: Getty
“I’m pretty fond of ‘Webby’ and what he has been able to do at the Warriors is amazing, and Kevvy Walters has turned the Broncos into a force,” Cleary said.
“But what’s often overlooked is what dad has been able to do not just in terms of our on-field success, but building the culture and the next-man-up policy we have here.
“Players keep leaving, his two assistants moved on – they were replaced by two great assistants – but we definitely appreciate what he does here, regardless if he wins coach of the year. I know it doesn’t bother him.”
Cleary, 25, said he felt mentally fresh after missing five games because of a hamstring injury, similar to how he felt when he returned from a five-match suspension at a similar stage last year.
He was awarded players’ player last week – a photo now hangs outside the Panthers’ gym like it does each week for the other winners – with Ivan regularly reminding him not to overplay his hand too soon.
“Dad’s has joked with me a couple of times now, ‘whoever ends up being the back-up halfback gets at least six weeks to play because you seem to take time off every year’,” Cleary said.
“He’s always trying to pull me up because I try to do too much when I’ve been out for a while.
“This time was different to the suspension. Last year I was fully fit, and as much as it was a mental hurdle, and I was filthy with myself at the start, I could still train.
“With the hamstring it was more about making sure every box was ticked and getting it right. The rate of hammys going again is high if you don’t rehab properly.
“I kept the mindset that things could have been worse. And knowing the hardest part of the year is always coming out of the Origin period, it’s helped keep me fresh in that sense.
“The most impressive thing for me while I was on the sidelines was seeing how hard everyone trains and the confidence and trust they have in each other.
“We do a lot of technical things well, but knowing whoever steps in will do what they need to do is cool.”
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