#4 - Nathan Cleary

In this episode, Cooper and Matty Johns sit down with Penrith Panthers Halfback Nathan Cleary for a great in-depth discussion. Nathan reflects on his standout 2023 NRL season, including the intense moments of last year's Grand Final. He shares insights into his NRL journey, from humble beginnings to becoming the games best player. The discussion also touches on Jerome Luai's move to the Wests Tigers for the 2025 Season and the unique culture driving Penrith's success. Tune in for an unfiltered look at one of the NRL's Biggest stars.
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0:00 Interlude
2:55 Interview
1:14:58 Exitlude

[@pedropig519]

Interesting thing I’ve noted, in the 2011 grand final Phil Gould did a promo before the game on the Channel 9 broadcast. The promo was praising DCE and SJ as they were rookies that year and were now taking their respective teams to a grand final and also how they will become future superstars. Ending the promo he said something along the lines about how some little kid is in the crowd watching SJ and DCE inspiring to be like them one day and play in Grand finals and be that wonderkid just like them. Nathan Cleary who was about 13 years old at that time was in the crowd since Ivan was coaching the warriors that time. So that little kid Phil Gould was talking about is now as we know, Nathan Cleary.

[@thomasvai1368]

😮😮😮 That's actually crazyyy

[@lisat6952]

What a beautiful, intelligent and grounded man Nathan Cleary is. He deserves all his success. Just wish he played for my team ❤️💙❤️💙

[@SKINNY_HUMAN]

Cooper is absolutely hilarious. Just like dad. Awesome work Matty you raised a good kid ❤

[@baldrick6071]

Really interesting guys. Keep them coming! Nathan’s humility is what makes him the champion he his. Hard work and grit and no BS!

[@serhanolguner1571]

This is by far the best interview

[@TimBoss2000]

The turning point for Penrith the year after the GF loss to Melbourne came against the Storm at Suncorp in the Preliminary final in 2021. Everyone on Earth knew that the Panthers had the talent but the question was whether they could beat the storm in a final and realise their potential. Ever since then the Panthers have been indomitable at finals footy but it all started for them that night in Brisbane.

[@user-nr6ig5cl8l]

If he keeps this up he will be the UNDISPUTED GOAT, just his awareness & ability to sit back when needed is unmatched. Not to mention he's started started so young, bright future ahead for the kid and I'm happy to watch his game evolve into the greatest co-host of all time (cooper johns)

[@Dyikbgdazg]

Love this interview. Hated Penrith for so long but I grew to love them, all of them. The class, the arrogance, the SWAGGER!!, the champion team they've become!!! You can't help but admire and respect their work ethic, their training , their comradery, it's awesome to watch their docus on TV!! It's inspiring and truely special watching these lads coming up from nothing !!! Amazing work lads. Legendary and the greatest nrl team ever! Nathan Cleary is the MICHEAL JORDAN of the NRL.

[@JustifyGee]

Used to hate them then they started winning so you become a bandwagon 🤣

[@Dyikbgdazg]

@@JustifyGee absolutely, my kids fell in love with Bizza! Romi, Critta, Cleary, Spence!! It was all natural. Daimmmm!!!!

[@ryanroma5724]

@@DyikbgdazgI respect your honesty coz growing up watching penny was hard to watch for a while but touchwood have been a good couple of years so far for us and hope to many more success

[@Godzrage]

Stop lying

[@jettstocken8205]

Fax

[@Bonafidevixen10032]

Great poddy. I will listen to Nathan all bloody day. Great work, guys. Great banter too. 😂

[@elcucuy5304]

What a legend of a bloke

[@LoganInThailand]

If he continues as he is for the rest of his career, GOAT convos won't even be contentious. They'll be undisputed.

[@jaredbrady5566]

Bloody hell! As a Broncos/Maroons tragic, it's so hard to hate this bloke! 😂 Great pod. It's a blessing to be able to see him keep raising the bar on the field.

[@colkur5007]

Hearing Cleary talk , you can understand why him and his girl are so on top of their game. Grounded and normal yet have the killer instinct in them. No wonder they are both superstars and even better they have found each other at a young age. Dont follow his team but gotta admire the guy (begrudgingly - yes that means you QLDers )...he will be THE GOAT

[@garethdurham3743]

Great bloke, great interview! He deserves all the success in the world. And my opinion Cleary will go down as the Goat 🐐

[@SKINNY_HUMAN]

Yes sir.

[@dimimaiden]

I've enjoyed watching this, congrats to all involved.

[@architectmarketing2219]

This is a Fkin hilarious episode. The drunken half time 20-0 story is elite

[@danmcinerney3594]

Listened on the podcast app as I walked the lake this AM - a public holiday in CBR today as a result of the Raiders Rd1 win over Newcastle. I liked it so much, I hopped on KZbin to give you a comment and a Like as I know it helps the algorithms

[@jackwhite5926]

Can't take my eyes off Nathan's quads. Especially compared to Coopers 😂

[@jaromeasdale7157]

the 2023 NRL and Pre-Season winning number 7s

[@manmountain3205]

Nat is not a small dude guy is massive💪

[@grrrrrex1234]

Great podcast, would be great to see if you guys can get Willie Mason on next

[@petergriffiths5537]

Nathan is the only nswelshman in recent times to epitomise anything close to the queensland mentality. I f'ing hate the panthers. The majority are cocky and don't know how to be humble winners. Nathan though, hes something special. I admit that. He gets it. And i really wish he was a queenslander! 😂 On a side note - mattys really trying to amp up coopers comedic value with over the top laughs lol

[@icepakpackie425]

I remember watching him play in a country cup in mid 2000s even then he had the talent and footy IQ far superior then the other boys, u14s n still reads the play better then most grown men.

[@mikeoxitchy5765]

Great podcast guy... Love it

[@kyzadiamond6156]

👍 good one guys. Loved it. !!!!

[@stevechamberlain1606]

When are you getting uncle Andrew on for a chat???

[@nuephy9956]

Love this podcast now

[@adibaxter76]

Great podcast!

[@sallymay24]

Time stamp things guys

[@axn9si]

Primal fear is ridiculously good

[@bales1569]

how many podcasts and shows does matty johns want haha

[@HaydenGoodalll]

That was rad!

[@shiftyxv-8112]

Great watch

[@iSplashChris]

Brilliant boys

[@ryanroma5724]

1:14:23 Tucan? It’s a maccaw Matty tucans are the birds that have the big beaks like sterlo😂😂

[@cmilltown1276]

LEG TWITCHING INTENSIFIES

[@BH-dsk]

You both know it but I don't think you got it across. We are witnessing a GOAT, possibly the GOAT, enjoy it while it lasts.

[@dylansmithmusic123]

Man, that chin would be handy at helping prospect for some gold.

[@azzatee318]

Get fletch or Hindy next

[@ChristopherLock]

i work with nathan wood champion of a bloke ..and yeah i would not like to fight him even at his age now hahaha

[@jaredbrady5566]

No Mary Fowler questions?

[@allanronnielaime1200]

The answer lies under your scrotum...

[@cvarikos]

Matty whispering that chimpanzee story LOL

[@alexcs3104]

Get munster on pls

[@bowy888]

How about him not making excuses for his poor play in the first half of the grand final was probably because of his knee injury. True champion.

[@steveschatz6256]

Hate penrith but its hard not to like Cleary

[@bozza79]

Matthew referencing NFL is cringe … endelman ! Jesus

[@lkuc06]

You referencing Matty referencing NFL is cringe.

[@bozza79]

@@lkuc06 good one

[@Dyikbgdazg]

I've been waiting for this for a long long time!!! Baby!!!

[@user-hx5lz4qr1c]

dont get me wrong tho loved Ivan as a player and he's a brilliant coach.....up there with Bennett & Bellamy.......but still none the less , i lay blame squarley at his feet......( scratching my head ) how could he split up Naden Crighton at that pointy end of the season

[@user-hx5lz4qr1c]

if Ivan hadn't of fart-asszzed with the Brent Naden / Tyrone May thing they wouldda won 4 in a row.......Crighton/Naden was most dynamic centre pairing in 2020 since Cronin/Ella or Meninga/Gene Miles.....where as Tyrone May cant play 4 shit....him and Ivan cost Penrith that 2020 GF

[@user-hx5lz4qr1c]

cocaine or no coke......who cares, u still let him play 2nd half of GF.....but by then it was too late the losing horse had already bolted