Latest news with #CliveChurchillMedal
News.com.au
07-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
‘It's set up for his legacy to grow': Footy legend backs Nathan Cleary to end ‘final frontier' narrative on Wednesday night
Superstar halfback Nathan Cleary admits there was a natural sense of 'envy' as he watched the Blues win a famous decider at Suncorp Stadium last year, but he now gets the chance to silence his critics and tick off the one thing remaining on his rugby league bingo card. The Penrith playmaker is only 27 but he's on track to go down as the greatest player we've ever seen, with Cleary already boasting four grand final wins in a row to go with two Clive Churchill Medals and World Cup glory. But the one question mark is getting the job done in the Origin arena where his record stands at eight wins and eight losses, with the champion No.7 winless in his previous two deciders that has led to claims that this is his final frontier. The 2020 and 2022 deciders still sting, especially given he never had the chance to avenge those losses due to injuries that limited him to just one appearance in 2023 and none the following year. But he gets the chance to make amends in front of a sold-out crowd in Sydney where more than 80,000 fans are being encouraged to enjoy the night and drink in moderation to ensure respectful fan behaviour in the stands. 'Being a part of Origin as a player is the pinnacle and it's the most watched three games of the year by fans with the passion and the excitement,' rugby league legend and DrinkWise ambassador Brett Kimmorley said. 'As a former player, I love to see all that passion in the crowd, but I also want to make sure everyone has a great experience. 'I'm a father of four daughters, so I want to go out and be able to enjoy experiences and make smart choices so I can remember the night. 'It's important to get the message out that the game of football is the best part of the night, rather than having a bad experience (by not drinking in moderation).' Kimmorley played in plenty of big games, including 10 matches for the Blues, and he's backing Cleary to nail the key moments on Wednesday night. 'I don't think he has anything to prove. He's a four-time premiership winner and the best halfback in our competition,' Kimmorley said, noticing how calm and confident the halfback appears now that the Panthers are winning again. 'He's had eight wins and eight losses as a NSW halfback, so he's at a moment where it's set up for him to be on the grand stage and put a performance in that we've seen from some of the greats. 'I class an Origin player who can handle it and put big moments in as one of our best players in the competition. 'I don't think I played great a lot in my Origin campaign, but I felt like my club football and Test career is where I had some big moments. 'If you look at some of the greats who are coaching the teams – Laurie Daley and Billy Slater – they came up with some huge plays and owned Origin on certain occasions. 'Nathan doesn't need to do it because he's won grand finals on his own and helped Penrith win four comps, but his ability to put a masterclass in Origin is one thing that he hasn't done yet. 'If there's ever a moment set up for him to win a decider in Sydney, I think it's set up for his legacy to grow as it has already in his career.' Cleary has enjoyed some magical moments at Accor Stadium and has the chance to do something he's never done before having watched his teammates win the decider 12 months ago. 'It would mean the world being able to play a decider at home with everything on the line,' he said. 'We're sort of just framing it like it's a grand final because it is. It's sort of got that mentality and I'm looking forward to that challenge. Obviously, on the other side of this challenge is going to be either really disappointed or really happy. 'Watching last year's one was incredible, but there was that sort of envy there that I wasn't able to be a part of it and play. It's come full circle now and I get the opportunity to be in one. These are the games that you want to play in.'
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Why Cleary isn't fazed by final frontier narrative
The narrative around Nathan Cleary has been that he needs to dominate State of Origin to be considered one of the greatest players of all time, but the Blues halfback insists this year's series doesn't feel like the 'final frontier'. Cleary, 27, has won four premierships in a row, has claimed the Clive Churchill Medal twice, won a World Cup and has been a part of three successful Origin campaigns. He's on track to smash several NRL records and has been the main man in the most dominant team of the modern era, yet there are people who still point to his Origin record and wonder whether he deserves to be in the Immortal conversation. Cleary has a 7-7 record for NSW and has played just one match for his state since the start of 2023, with serious hamstring injuries plaguing him and forcing him to miss the epic comeback win last year. The champion halfback has heard the chat and accepts that it will follow him around throughout this year's series, but he says it won't define him as he looks to make up for lost time. 'I think that's the way it's probably shaped sometimes, and I do want to play better at Origin level,' he said. 'But I'm not shaping it as a final frontier. 'There's still a lot of my rugby league life to live. I want to keep getting better. This Origin journey is in front of me right now, so I want to attack that as best I can. 'I think I've just got to prove it to my teammates, especially after watching last year and seeing how well they did. 'You've just got to capitalise and do the same again. 'It's about proving myself to my teammates and showing that I'm meant to be here, and I'm confident that I can get the job done. 'At the end of the day, it's not about me. It's about this team, so I want to put my best foot forward for the whole week and then be at my best come game day.' Blues skipper and Cleary's co-captain at the Panthers, Isaah Yeo, knows Cleary better than most. It's why he's backing the gifted playmaker to use the criticism as motivation, with Yeo just happy to see Cleary back in the sky blue jersey after so many cruel setbacks. 'I don't know if he'd give it much thought, but if he does, I'm sure it'd fuel the fire a bit,' the veteran lock said. 'You know how much the jersey means to him. You only have to look back at when he did his hammy before the series last year and how shattered he was. 'I feel like he's so ready for this moment. It's been building for a few years, so I'm excited to see him back in this environment because I know what he brings to a team and how much confidence he'll give the group.' Cleary's next challenge will be working alongside Mitchell Moses in the halves, with the Eels star edging Jarome Luai for the five-eighth spot. Luai and Cleary have carved up for the Panthers and Blues in the past, but Cleary is excited about the new combination even though both men are chief playmakers at club level and prefer to play on the right. Both players have spoken about being willing to step back if the other guy is in control, with Cleary's crucial tries against Brisbane showing that he can do some of his best work on the left. 'I think we both understand the game really well and I think we can use that to our advantage for what's needed at the right time and to stand up in the right moments,' said Cleary, who should start on the right given his combination with Liam Martin and Stephen Crichton. 'At the end of the day, it's about what's right for the team. It's not letting egos get in the way, we've got to complement each other and get the best out of each other. 'I don't mind, and the way it should work is that we can roam around and see how that works. I think both of us are quite capable of playing left or right.'
Perth Now
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Why Cleary isn't fazed by final frontier narrative
The narrative around Nathan Cleary has been that he needs to dominate State of Origin to be considered one of the greatest players of all time, but the Blues halfback insists this year's series doesn't feel like the 'final frontier'. Cleary, 27, has won four premierships in a row, has claimed the Clive Churchill Medal twice, won a World Cup and has been a part of three successful Origin campaigns. He's on track to smash several NRL records and has been the main man in the most dominant team of the modern era, yet there are people who still point to his Origin record and wonder whether he deserves to be in the Immortal conversation. Cleary has a 7-7 record for NSW and has played just one match for his state since the start of 2023, with serious hamstring injuries plaguing him and forcing him to miss the epic comeback win last year. The champion halfback has heard the chat and accepts that it will follow him around throughout this year's series, but he says it won't define him as he looks to make up for lost time. 'I think that's the way it's probably shaped sometimes, and I do want to play better at Origin level,' he said. 'But I'm not shaping it as a final frontier. 'There's still a lot of my rugby league life to live. I want to keep getting better. This Origin journey is in front of me right now, so I want to attack that as best I can. 'I think I've just got to prove it to my teammates, especially after watching last year and seeing how well they did. 'You've just got to capitalise and do the same again. 'It's about proving myself to my teammates and showing that I'm meant to be here, and I'm confident that I can get the job done. 'At the end of the day, it's not about me. It's about this team, so I want to put my best foot forward for the whole week and then be at my best come game day.' Blues skipper and Cleary's co-captain at the Panthers, Isaah Yeo, knows Cleary better than most. It's why he's backing the gifted playmaker to use the criticism as motivation, with Yeo just happy to see Cleary back in the sky blue jersey after so many cruel setbacks. 'I don't know if he'd give it much thought, but if he does, I'm sure it'd fuel the fire a bit,' the veteran lock said. 'You know how much the jersey means to him. You only have to look back at when he did his hammy before the series last year and how shattered he was. 'I feel like he's so ready for this moment. It's been building for a few years, so I'm excited to see him back in this environment because I know what he brings to a team and how much confidence he'll give the group.' Cleary's next challenge will be working alongside Mitchell Moses in the halves, with the Eels star edging Jarome Luai for the five-eighth spot. Luai and Cleary have carved up for the Panthers and Blues in the past, but Cleary is excited about the new combination even though both men are chief playmakers at club level and prefer to play on the right. Both players have spoken about being willing to step back if the other guy is in control, with Cleary's crucial tries against Brisbane showing that he can do some of his best work on the left. 'I think we both understand the game really well and I think we can use that to our advantage for what's needed at the right time and to stand up in the right moments,' said Cleary, who should start on the right given his combination with Liam Martin and Stephen Crichton. 'At the end of the day, it's about what's right for the team. It's not letting egos get in the way, we've got to complement each other and get the best out of each other. 'I don't mind, and the way it should work is that we can roam around and see how that works. I think both of us are quite capable of playing left or right.'
The Advertiser
11-05-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Bellamy backs Papenhuyzen for NSW Origin call-up
Coach Craig Bellamy says Ryan Papenhuyzen won't let NSW down if the superstar Storm fullback is finally given a chance in the State of Origin arena. Papenhuyzen put his hand up for Origin selection with a record-breaking performance against Wests Tigers, scoring four tries among a club record personal haul of 36 points. He crossed three times in the opening 17 minutes at AAMI Park on Sunday, to set Melbourne up for a 64-0 romp. The 26-year-old has come achingly close to making his Origin debut in the past, only for injury to wreck his chances. After helping the Storm to the 2020 premiership and winning the Clive Churchill Medal for MVP in the grand final, he was named in the extended NSW squad for the COVID-hit 2020 end-of-year Origin series before being forced out with a calf injury. He started 2021 with a bang but missed the entire Origin period due to concussion. In 2022, it was hamstring and knee injuries, while in 2023 he was still recovering from a horror fractured knee-cap. Last season, Papenhuyzen's bad luck continued with an ankle fracture in round nine just prior to the Origin period. Bellamy, a special advisor to Blues coach Laurie Daley, said Papenhuyzen was in "red-hot form". "I can't remember too many players scoring three tries in that quick succession of time, especially at the start of the game, so he was certainly on the ball today and got some real rewards for him and the team," Bellamy said. "There's a lot of good fullbacks around so that'll be something for the selectors to decide but at the end of the day, he's never going to let anyone down, without a doubt." Papenhuyzen faces some stiff competition for the NSW fullback jersey from incumbent, Panthers gun Dylan Edwards, who helped steer the Blues to a series victory last year. Former NSW captain James Tedesco, who played in Origin I last year, has returned to imperious form with the Sydney Roosters. Back in 2020 Papenhuyzen was included in the NSW squad by then coach Brad Fittler as a bench utility, after filling that role at the Storm before he made the No.1 jersey his own. Bellamy said the former Australian Schoolboy and NSW under 20s representative could again handle such a job, providing the Blues with an injection of genuine speed. "I think so," he said. "Usually these days that fourth bench player can play dummy-half and play probably in the halves a little bit as well and I think he could do that well if he had to. "At the end of the day, it'll be up to the selectors and what they think but as I said, he won't let anyone, or himself down." Coach Craig Bellamy says Ryan Papenhuyzen won't let NSW down if the superstar Storm fullback is finally given a chance in the State of Origin arena. Papenhuyzen put his hand up for Origin selection with a record-breaking performance against Wests Tigers, scoring four tries among a club record personal haul of 36 points. He crossed three times in the opening 17 minutes at AAMI Park on Sunday, to set Melbourne up for a 64-0 romp. The 26-year-old has come achingly close to making his Origin debut in the past, only for injury to wreck his chances. After helping the Storm to the 2020 premiership and winning the Clive Churchill Medal for MVP in the grand final, he was named in the extended NSW squad for the COVID-hit 2020 end-of-year Origin series before being forced out with a calf injury. He started 2021 with a bang but missed the entire Origin period due to concussion. In 2022, it was hamstring and knee injuries, while in 2023 he was still recovering from a horror fractured knee-cap. Last season, Papenhuyzen's bad luck continued with an ankle fracture in round nine just prior to the Origin period. Bellamy, a special advisor to Blues coach Laurie Daley, said Papenhuyzen was in "red-hot form". "I can't remember too many players scoring three tries in that quick succession of time, especially at the start of the game, so he was certainly on the ball today and got some real rewards for him and the team," Bellamy said. "There's a lot of good fullbacks around so that'll be something for the selectors to decide but at the end of the day, he's never going to let anyone down, without a doubt." Papenhuyzen faces some stiff competition for the NSW fullback jersey from incumbent, Panthers gun Dylan Edwards, who helped steer the Blues to a series victory last year. Former NSW captain James Tedesco, who played in Origin I last year, has returned to imperious form with the Sydney Roosters. Back in 2020 Papenhuyzen was included in the NSW squad by then coach Brad Fittler as a bench utility, after filling that role at the Storm before he made the No.1 jersey his own. Bellamy said the former Australian Schoolboy and NSW under 20s representative could again handle such a job, providing the Blues with an injection of genuine speed. "I think so," he said. "Usually these days that fourth bench player can play dummy-half and play probably in the halves a little bit as well and I think he could do that well if he had to. "At the end of the day, it'll be up to the selectors and what they think but as I said, he won't let anyone, or himself down." Coach Craig Bellamy says Ryan Papenhuyzen won't let NSW down if the superstar Storm fullback is finally given a chance in the State of Origin arena. Papenhuyzen put his hand up for Origin selection with a record-breaking performance against Wests Tigers, scoring four tries among a club record personal haul of 36 points. He crossed three times in the opening 17 minutes at AAMI Park on Sunday, to set Melbourne up for a 64-0 romp. The 26-year-old has come achingly close to making his Origin debut in the past, only for injury to wreck his chances. After helping the Storm to the 2020 premiership and winning the Clive Churchill Medal for MVP in the grand final, he was named in the extended NSW squad for the COVID-hit 2020 end-of-year Origin series before being forced out with a calf injury. He started 2021 with a bang but missed the entire Origin period due to concussion. In 2022, it was hamstring and knee injuries, while in 2023 he was still recovering from a horror fractured knee-cap. Last season, Papenhuyzen's bad luck continued with an ankle fracture in round nine just prior to the Origin period. Bellamy, a special advisor to Blues coach Laurie Daley, said Papenhuyzen was in "red-hot form". "I can't remember too many players scoring three tries in that quick succession of time, especially at the start of the game, so he was certainly on the ball today and got some real rewards for him and the team," Bellamy said. "There's a lot of good fullbacks around so that'll be something for the selectors to decide but at the end of the day, he's never going to let anyone down, without a doubt." Papenhuyzen faces some stiff competition for the NSW fullback jersey from incumbent, Panthers gun Dylan Edwards, who helped steer the Blues to a series victory last year. Former NSW captain James Tedesco, who played in Origin I last year, has returned to imperious form with the Sydney Roosters. Back in 2020 Papenhuyzen was included in the NSW squad by then coach Brad Fittler as a bench utility, after filling that role at the Storm before he made the No.1 jersey his own. Bellamy said the former Australian Schoolboy and NSW under 20s representative could again handle such a job, providing the Blues with an injection of genuine speed. "I think so," he said. "Usually these days that fourth bench player can play dummy-half and play probably in the halves a little bit as well and I think he could do that well if he had to. "At the end of the day, it'll be up to the selectors and what they think but as I said, he won't let anyone, or himself down."
Perth Now
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Bellamy backs Papenhuyzen for NSW Origin call-up
Coach Craig Bellamy says Ryan Papenhuyzen won't let NSW down if the superstar Storm fullback is finally given a chance in the State of Origin arena. Papenhuyzen put his hand up for Origin selection with a record-breaking performance against Wests Tigers, scoring four tries among a club record personal haul of 36 points. He crossed three times in the opening 17 minutes at AAMI Park on Sunday, to set Melbourne up for a 64-0 romp. The 26-year-old has come achingly close to making his Origin debut in the past, only for injury to wreck his chances. After helping the Storm to the 2020 premiership and winning the Clive Churchill Medal for MVP in the grand final, he was named in the extended NSW squad for the COVID-hit 2020 end-of-year Origin series before being forced out with a calf injury. He started 2021 with a bang but missed the entire Origin period due to concussion. In 2022, it was hamstring and knee injuries, while in 2023 he was still recovering from a horror fractured knee-cap. There's just no stopping Papenhuyzen today 😳#NRLStormTigers NRL (@NRL) May 11, 2025 Last season, Papenhuyzen's bad luck continued with an ankle fracture in round nine just prior to the Origin period. Bellamy, a special advisor to Blues coach Laurie Daley, said Papenhuyzen was in "red-hot form". "I can't remember too many players scoring three tries in that quick succession of time, especially at the start of the game, so he was certainly on the ball today and got some real rewards for him and the team," Bellamy said. "There's a lot of good fullbacks around so that'll be something for the selectors to decide but at the end of the day, he's never going to let anyone down, without a doubt." Papenhuyzen faces some stiff competition for the NSW fullback jersey from incumbent, Panthers gun Dylan Edwards, who helped steer the Blues to a series victory last year. Former NSW captain James Tedesco, who played in Origin I last year, has returned to imperious form with the Sydney Roosters. Back in 2020 Papenhuyzen was included in the NSW squad by then coach Brad Fittler as a bench utility, after filling that role at the Storm before he made the No.1 jersey his own. Bellamy said the former Australian Schoolboy and NSW under 20s representative could again handle such a job, providing the Blues with an injection of genuine speed. "I think so," he said. "Usually these days that fourth bench player can play dummy-half and play probably in the halves a little bit as well and I think he could do that well if he had to. "At the end of the day, it'll be up to the selectors and what they think but as I said, he won't let anyone, or himself down."
