The Warriors have turned to 20-year-old Jett Cleary to replicate older brother Nathan in opposed sessions this week, as the club prepares for their elimination final against Penrith.
Cleary Jr., who has been steering the Warriors’ NSW Cup side with maturity beyond his years, will act as Nathan in training drills in the lead-up to Sunday’s showdown with the Dragons.
The move inevitably raised questions about split loyalties, given his father Ivan is coach of the Panthers, but the veteran laughed off the idea of any inside edge being passed on.
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Ivan keeps it light over family links
“He doesn’t know,” Ivan Cleary said with a smile when asked if Jett might carry any intel into camp.
“He shouldn’t be [family first], he will be doing his job this week for his club, and that’s how it should be. I think it’s a fun part of the week; he’s got his own game to plan for. As long as he does his job for his team, that’s the main thing.”
Jett has yet to make his NRL debut but has become a mainstay in reserve grade, helping the Warriors to a minor premiership tilt. While he’ll run out in a semi-final against the Dragons, his role as Nathan’s stand-in has added a unique family subplot to finals week.
Penrith, meanwhile, face their own adjustments. Hooker Mitch Kenny has been ruled out with a hamstring strain, while grand final hero Paul Alamoti replaces Tom Jenkins on the wing. For Ivan Cleary, though, the message remains the same: focus on who’s in, not who’s out.