NRL finals 2022: Nathan Cleary’s dominance a throwback to days of the captain-coach
Nathan Cleary didn’t spend his recent suspension sulking, he spent it coaching. And in doing so he’s created his own modern-day version of the captain-coach.
Fatima Kdouh
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Two coach Clearys are better than one.
That is Isaah Yeo’s take on his co-captain
Nathan Cleary’s eye for leadership.
Once common across the top grade in the 1970s and 80s, the captain-coach is now nothing more than a faint memory from a bygone era.
Parramatta have brought the role back at NSW Cup level with Jordan Rankin the Eels’ captain-coach.
And Yeo believes halfback Cleary has crafted his own version of the dual role and it could be be key to Penrith’s dominance over the next decade, starting with back-to-back tiles in 2022.
Nathan Cleary with his father, coach Ivan Cleary. Picture. Phil Hillyard
Cleary was forced onto the sidelines in the final five rounds of the season after he
copped a ban for a spear tackle on Parramatta’s Dylan Brown.
In that time, the 24-year-old left no stone unturned in preparing for his return to the field, including putting on his ‘coaching hat’.
“The way he sees the game is like a coach already,” Yeo told News Corp.
“He’s a halfback, so he sees the game well anyway but it’s the confidence in his opinion that was the biggest thing while he was out.
“The way he has grown as a player as he has gotten older and more mature as well, he is a lot more comfortable in his own skin and the way he can project his opinion and back it up as well.
“They are all attributes a good coach would have, he has them already.”
Cleary delivered a masterclass in his first game back in week one of the finals against Eels. It was clear the playmaker had spent his time ironing out the few kinks in his kicking game.
But when he wasn’t fine tuning his own arsenal, Cleary took the opportunity to study the side’s attack from the coach’s box alongside his father Ivan, where he was spotted numerous times during his suspension.
The Clearys are a formidable duo. Picture: Jonathan Ng
“Andrew Webster, he’s our assistant and he does that stuff, our attack, for us. But he (Cleary) might have clips that help support Webby as well, they talk to each other as it is anyway.
“When he wasn’t playing, they were talking more often and feeding off each other a little bit more.
“It’s not so much he made changes to how we are playing but backing up Webby.”
Cleary’s banishment also meant the No.7 was able to ensure he was in peak physical condition during Penrith’s finals campaign.
“With the short turnarounds we had (before the final) you’re not doing big weight sessions or strictly fitness sessions … so Nathan has been able to do a lot of that,” Yeo said.
“Physically, he’s probably in the best shape he has been … he’d much prefer match fitness … but had the chance to do the weight sessions and the cardio, like a mini preseason”.
Nathan Cleary (right) is key to Penrith’s chances. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images
The Panthers will ramp up their title defence on Monday when players return to training after they were given the weekend off to freshen up ahead of Saturday’s blockbuster grand final replay against South Sydney at Accor Stadium.
While key men Alex Johnston and Jai Arrow are under an injury cloud for the Rabbitohs, the Panthers are enjoying a rare luxury of fielding a near-fully fit playing group.
Only rising winger Taylan May, who is also serving a one game ban for a high tackle on Parramatta centre Will Penisni, is struggling with a hamstring injury.
Flyer Charlie Staines is shaping as the most likely to replace May on the edge this weekend. Other options include Robert Jennings, Sunia Turuva and Thomas Jenkins.
It’s a far cry from coach’s Cleary’s predicament in last year’s finals series, where only eight from the 17 to play in the grand final were not carrying a significant injury, including Cleary’s precarious shoulder injury and Dylan Edwards, who played the decider with a broken foot.
