Is Nathan Cleary The NRL GOAT at 26? | Deep Dive

[@tigerwalccer]

Great to see you uploading again Kye!

[@johnsoi9507]

No hard feeling but Cleary had bloded so well, from what Thurstan and Johns could do My point is club games are more challenging then state and national champions cause you have all the best players around you but for club games its a individuals perfomances to archive how you perform to earn that standard. 100% Cleary is the coat for modern rugby league era..

[@lachie__]

Hope to see you posting more vids as the NRL gets up this year. Big fan of your analysis and presentation style mate. Its hard to have GOAT conversations when the career hasnt ended yet. We find it hard to view the present as a part of history.

[@difdaf436]

My goat is John’s.. I’m a qlder so it hurts to say it but the facts are the facts to me.. even listen to him commentate, he can read the game like no one can

[@JackH2254]

Always love your videos my man, you're like the jxmyhighroller for NRL. So good at what you do!

[@Kingneekz]

100%

[@tjphoenix1908]

As a Storm fan, nothing beats the 3-peat!!! And the B2B Clive Churchill when CS9 couldn't even win 1 from his 8 grand finals. Thurston wouldn't even be in the conversation without Michael Morgan who was also the star behind cowboys 2017 dream run. Penrith is the greatest team in the modern era because of Cleary. The Chin of Doom reigns supreme!!!

[@johnh9200]

I've been watching the game since '78, and I didn't think Id see someone as good as Wally at Rep Level or Sterlo at club level , but for me Johnathan Thurston is the best I ve seen. How many times he started a play, been tackled and still got off the deck and finished it off by scoring, was mind blowing.

[@khanager2814]

I do think you can make a solid case that the Clive Churchill medals are worth as much as the Dally M award, interesting video mate. He’s definitely on track to be an immortal, especially considering he’s a halfback with a game that may only get better over the next few years. Barring injury he will be one of the best. It’s harsh because he’s a gun and he’s definitely stepped up in big games given his Clive Churchill medals. But I do think he needs a couple more legendary performances particularly at Origin level to be definitively the best. Johns is still the greatest halfback and my overall GOAT for now but the only current player who can get anywhere near that is Cleary. Although I will pay more attention to Turbo if he can stay fit and replicate some of his dominance at Origin and Club levels, some seasons from him rank among the best of all time.

[@willus259]

To call Cleary the same level as Johns and Thurston is waaaay too premature. Johns and Thurston have achieved at higher levels than NRL (Origin and international, even though international league is kinda laughable) but they all had different team compositions and coaches. Cleary hasn't demonstrated that level of adaptability yet. What you mentioned at the end of the vid is very apt, can he rise up when he's not in the comfort of the Penrith system? He hasn't shown that much at all TBH.

[@russelluwarejnr1273]

JT with the 4 year origin shields. And he won kicked the conversion in one of, if not, the greatest grand final in NRL history

[@joebaci1214]

@@russelluwarejnr1273 It was a penalty goal dickhead & not one of the greatest GFs in nrl history by a LOOOOOONG shot. Oct 1st 2023 was the greatest NRL GF in living memory

[@seansmith9435]

I agree with you..!!!people don’t think trying to compare NRL to state of origin and international level isn’t good lol

[@iverson5164]

He is soon to be the goat

[@Thegrumpycoach]

"eventhough international league is kinda laughable": that is why the greatest game is only a domestic.

[@BWITA-n7h]

Andrew John is the inventor and crafter of half back techniques and skills , while Thursthan and Nathan use those inventions by Johns. That is Johns is the youngest immortal.

[@FieldPlug]

Great video. What I will say is like what you said how its somewhat easier for Cleary given the Nrl side he's in. You could also say partly the same for Thurston at rep level. He had great moments for QLD no doubt, but gotta remember the dynasty maroons side he played in

[@cccmmm1093]

The stain on Cleary at the moment is how good the Panthers are without him. If Jack Cogger can come into the side and look like the form halfback of the comp, then lol

[@daleviker5884]

The only stain at the moment is the one you left with that comment. Cogger didn't look like the "form half back of the comp". He did a job and Penrith have enough class to get over some teams without Cleary. But with Cleary in, they go to another level.

[@cccmmm1093]

​@@daleviker5884 Lmao what? Cogger killed it with that team. It didn't look like they missed a beat without Cleary and with him. He also had an underrated performance in the GF because he actually dug into the line. Even this week with Brad Schneider who struggled to crack back into RAIDERS looked sweet with that system against title contenders. That's the whole point. It's not saying Panthers are better without Cleary, it's the team can just be as good without him, whereas all those other players mentioned Smith, Thurston, Lockyer, Johns, their teams struggle when they're missing

[@haddarac1]

No way, the only thing you need to know is that the knight and cowboys pretty much were unable to win games without Johns and Thurston. The panthers have repeatedly shown they can win without Cleary. Cleary also struggles in Origin and Kangaroos. Cleary also becomes a deer in headlights when there is kick pressure on him.

[@daleviker5884]

If you were trying to pack as many stupid comments into one post as possible, congratulations. Eg "The cowboys were pretty much unable to win games without Thurston". Maybe go and have a look at the 2017 season, when the Cowboys lost Thurston mid-season then won the next four games in a row, and went on a charge that took them to three finals wins and a spot in the Grand Final. And your line that Cleary "struggles in the Kangaroos". He's play for australia 10 times and won all 10 including a world cup final. If you support another club and are too petty to acknowledge great players from other teams then just say so. Stop making things up trying to justify your pettiness.

[@haddarac1]

@@daleviker5884 The cowboys struggled to put wins together without Thurston until Morgan came into his own. What did Cleary do in the World Cup?? He missed almost all of his conversions, he set up 1 maybe 2 tries and had the most errors in the squad. He himself said that he struggled. The kangaroos won off the back of other players in the squad. Cleary’ effort was negligible. I don’t doubt that he is a good player, but to insist that he is already a great when he has proven time and again that he struggles outside of the panthers structure is a slap in the face to other greats of the game.

[@Giveme1goodreason]

I’d take Alfie over all of em.

[@joedont9307]

My mates wife hit Alfie with her car years ago.. he stumbled out of the old nightclub in Ipswich drunk af. Walked into the road and got smacked by her Honda 😂 The little legend just laughed and kept walking

[@dustinmartin6524]

With all due respect to Cleary who is absolutely incredible… he hasn’t won a dallym nor would anyone argue he was robbed of one. It’s a conversion, for me, we should put on hold until he wins the dallym or retires

[@jackbrady9738]

Why, are you being, so sincere? Kind regards, XD

[@tigerwarsaw99]

Lockyer never got one either. Because he was never the best player in a single year? Laughable. He was in teams with rep players that took points from him. Always been a flawed voting system.

[@dustinmartin6524]

@@jackbrady9738 It’s just how I talk lol, I’m initially from England and never really picked up the Aussie way of speaking. My version of casual would be something along the lines of “what are you waffling about blud he hasn’t even won the dallym”

[@dustinmartin6524]

@@tigerwarsaw99 Yeah I agree it’s a flawed system, however I can’t actually tell you a year which Cleary deserved the dallym. Partly because he has kept picking up these mid season injuries and partly because he hasn’t had a crazy full season individual campaign. Generally Cleary will only dominate a game if the games requires Cleary to dominate it. Thats just my opinion, and that doesn’t even discredit Cleary because you could absolutely argue we shouldn’t look to much into a player destroying shit teams then struggling against the elite teams (2021 turbo comes to mind although that wasn’t really his fault)

[@jackbrady9738]

@@dustinmartin6524 nah it's just the 'with all due respect' what due respect has a 26 year old footy player earnt. i guess he's kept himself out of trouble, but he needs to role model for 'due respect'.

[@joeyjojo07]

Great video. Need to consider the super league war benefited Joey’s early legacy as News Limited players were not considered for selection in 95. 97 was also a split competition. Although I say this Joey’s 05 SOO performance for me elevated him into GOAT status. Sometimes it’s not always the stats and achievements, it’s how they did it. In saying that, Cleary’s book is still being written and he can get there!

[@blakedickenson2394]

I have never understood the people “mainly Queenslanders” that say Cleary is “only good because he’s surrounded by a great team” One of the arguments people use against him in the “JT vs Cleary” argument, is that Cleary hasn’t dominated origin. Which is funny to me considering that the 8 straight QLD team that JT played in is quite possibly the greatest rugby league team ever fielded. I mean it literally had 4-5 immortals in one team. There has never been a sh*t team with an elite halfback that has won anything of significance.

[@hueyg]

Great video!

[@Mackyanguson]

You answered it perfectly let's wait another 4 years to make the final version of this video 😂

[@1362pc]

When Clearly wins another 8 origin series we can talk about GOAT...Cam Smith is the GOAT

[@Yoursss_Trulyyy]

I like the way you stayed fair throughout the analysis. Overall if you combine skills, achievements and individual performances the #1 halfback is Andrew John’s. Joey is the most skilled halfback being able to tackle, short pass and long pass, short kicks and long kicking kicks, along with bringing the banana kick. Combine that with his dominate performances in 2005 game 2, 2003 game 2 and 2002 game state of origin, Joey is the best.

[@rossrickards7990]

Alpha is back!

[@difdaf436]

I think you summed up Cleary and where he is at perfectly. He’s far from being in that category yet, but he’s sure on his way to being one the greatest ever..

[@simonextra9689]

What im getting here is Cleary needs to come to the Tigers in order to prove himself once and for all. There's no other way

[@johnnypepper881]

Joey is the 8th not the 13th

[@sakatagintoki2888]

I'd say he's almost at GOAt.One thing that I reckon is holding him back from that status is his ability to own an origin series like John's Cronk and JT. Once he does this then yes.

[@peter-josephlamusitele6296]

Tbh i think he is like he's accomplished something no other no7 has achieved since peter sterling in 1986

[@mwilkins1644]

Answer: No. But he's very good!

[@DaquaviousFriggleton]

He’s back🔥

[@zolmo747]

Johns and JT have two premierships (97 and 01) and (04 and 15)

[@daleviker5884]

Johns won 1 1/2 because half the teams were playing in a different competition. Thurston was not even going to be in the 2004 Bulldogs squad but got a late bench spot when Steve Price was injured. I'm sure not even JT would boast that he won two grand finals. His involvement in that 2004 team was so minor that he gave his medal to Steve Price.

[@hooligan1179]

As a Qlder I'd have to say he's almost there. By the time his career is done, he most certainly will be the 🐐

[@linsco.gaming6839]

Turn it up! All the greatest players have dominated at Origin level. Cleary hasn’t done anything at that level. Come back when he has dominated that arena .

[@saintofkildas]

He has three origin series 😂

[@seanbogombari9170]

I think as a Borocos fan Nathan has earned our respect as fans

[@BigBadAds9]

As a Broncos fan you should be offended there's no mention of Darren Lockyer in this video.

[@garybaltiejus7248]

He,s not quite there yet, but be in no doubt he WILL BE one day

[@Moltzenn]

Id say Moses Leota was equally as influential in that GF comeback. When its all said and done tho, i think Cleary would be top, a couple more Origins and that’ll do it. The fact that he’s already in the convo with Johns and JT says it all.

[@charlesagoma4890]

Nathan Kleary is the growing Rugby league Goat who has greatest potential to be the greatest of the GOATs😊

[@Jonno_B251]

Joey is the eighth not the thirteenth

[@stress2impress]

Curious question. Would a good comparison against Thurston and John be years since debut rather than age as I don't think they all joined the league at the same age. Also, do we know the Dally M point totals through to the same point in their career? At a club level that sometime feels like that can cover the "aura" level you described and the club impact relatively speaking.

[@BinkBricks]

Cleary has had way more club success so far, but he needs to prove he is the GOAT of origin and international top. Especially origin. I reckon he will be the best halfback ever, but not yet.

[@WP-ch3sy]

Cleary & Johns have zero world club challenges between them

[@zakaryquak]

You sure about that one mate? Bit of research might help you out on the one

[@WP-ch3sy]

​@@zakaryquak I've watched every world club challenge

[@daleviker5884]

What about the Auckland nines? Surely that's the real benchmark.

[@WP-ch3sy]

@@daleviker5884 still zero

[@daleviker5884]

@@WP-ch3sy I know, duh. I was being sarcastic. Who gives a crap about World club challenges.

[@timreserve]

JT overtook the 8th when he won with the cowboys, that extra finals trophy is what sealed it (in my opinion), and what will seal it for me is when Cleary can prove his greatness at origin level or without the greatness of his Panther team, but he's only 25, so I have no doubt he can get there.

[@cccmmm1093]

Cronk overtook JT in 2014. That origin team had no direction with JT steering them around instead of Cronk. Made me pay more attention to both and honestly Cronk surpasses Thurston, which is crazier because Cronk didn't come up a half lmao.

[@timreserve]

@@cccmmm1093 cool man

[@cccmmm1093]

@@timreserve damn way to back your opinion

[@timreserve]

@@cccmmm1093 it’s MY opinion, I don’t need to back it lol. Your opinion is just that, hence no point arguing it. Good for you to have that opinion brother. Mines different. ☺️

[@cccmmm1093]

@@timreserve Cool man

[@mushy1983123]

U can't be goat if u struggle at origin level and Penrith still win when he doesnt play shows the team makes him look better

[@saintofkildas]

He has three origin series mate

[@mushy1983123]

@@saintofkildas he never dominated in any of them players around him did

[@elduder2530]

He doesnt past the eye test except for his kicking which is elite. Plus his value added doesn't really stack up for the teams he plays for

[@jameslindemann3139]

he’s never dominated the origin arena 🤷‍♂️ johns and thurston dominated origin

[@tigerwarsaw99]

He must be getting bored of all that winning at Penrith, why not come to Wests Tigers for a new challenge. 🐯

[@YouChwb]

Just be happy your getting Luai. With the juniors you have, and hopefully the WT move to Campbelltown permanently, the club will settle into a formidable team.

[@tigerwarsaw99]

@@YouChwb that will be the day

[@YouChwb]

@@tigerwarsaw99 The journos and ex-players are the ones making the noise about this. Why is what you have to ask yourself why. Take a close look at the condition of of that ground they are trying to play out of. It's embarrassing.

[@tigerwarsaw99]

@YouChwb I do not listen to anything Elias and rent a quote Roach have to say. They have had thier time.

[@WilliamMclennan-y4m]

For. The man that make 7 a stand out number is Peter Stirling is the goat

[@HenryOyon-cz5pk]

Cleary does not match Thurston and Johns or even Lockyer or other greats....He great at Panthers because he is surrounded by clever players....he can not shoulder a burden team solely like Thurston n Joey

[@WhereOnEarthIsWally]

Keep up the posting Kye, vodka limes at pink monkey soon

[@duece44]

Andrew Johns is and always will be the Michael Jordan of RL. Facts

[@Yabanmf666]

Joey is the greatest. Did everything you mentioned, while being captain cooked every weekend.

[@petermagaea1481]

Nathan Cleary at halfback is the new NRL Goat he played 5 GF and won 4 straight who else could do so in modern era?

[@MERCURYSUNSET]

Kimmorly in the same league as Sterling ,not even close . DCE is a super player but from Peter Sterling and Steve Mortimer it then carries onto Langer , Stuart , JT and Cronk leading up to Cleary .

[@northy723]

Its decided, Cleary mive to the Dogs and takes us to multple titles. Solidlying himself as the GOAT

[@craigball2732]

Perhaps ask that question when he has dominated, for years, like Wally & Joey; or played at the very highest level for years like Cam Smith; or has obtained & maintained the same level of match-winning performances that Lockyer & Thurston achieved. One day he may, in fact, achieve it but until then let’s just enjoy this young man’s development.

[@John12785]

1.Wally Lewis 2.Cameron Smith 3.JT 4.Johns Nathan may get the 5 spot but hes too young to grade

[@Ub3rSk1llz]

Cronk and Lockyer are better than Cleary.

[@hoodrich3142]

Cleary half back on a good track. But goat of all, love him or hate him. Cameron Smith

[@peterplayz7215]

Yes the goat is back

[@dragonmcgregor8007]

he could well be, but not right now. he had a masterful performance last year but his origin career is questionable. hes not bad but if your the goat then you need to be the king of that shit first. some andrew johns , wally lewis type shii. i cant even put him over them yet

[@laiakondowa195]

Cleary is the goat❤❤❤

[@0P9ine]

Once he bags a dally m this won’t even be a question Cleary will be the goat #7

[@themanwithnothingtolose]

0:33 ayo🤨

[@jacobjgleggy1854]

No: he hasnt even won a DallyM and State Of Origin title yet

[@thomasrodwell563]

He has won 2 Clive Churchill which is just as good as a Dally M if you ask me. And also he has won multiple state of origin series and the only series he's lost were series he was injured in.

[@jest3167]

@@thomasrodwell563CC is literally just a MotM award Dally M is based on an entire season no comparison at all

[@themanwithnothingtolose]

He has 3 Origin titles you brain Dead and dally M is a joke award, doesn't consider finals games. Look at the last 3, ponga, Hynes and Turbo. All 3 are Ghosts at finals. He has 2 Clive Churchill medals>Dally M medals

[@themanwithnothingtolose]

​@@jest3167Clive Churchill medals is man of the match for the BIGGEST GAME OF THE SEASON. You can win Dally M by scoring 5 tries against wooden spooners. You wanna talk about big game player, Clive Churchill medal clears Dally M. Look at the last 3 Dally M winners. Ghosts at finals.

[@jest3167]

@@themanwithnothingtolose Biggest game of the season is actually a Game 3 state of origin decider…..

[@DeneGonzalez]

Johns and Thurston are the goats

[@stewartdavies929]

No. Let’s talk when he’s 30 and if he dominates origin. The origin series he won, he was nowhere near integral to those wins. He may well do that but let’s wait and see. If you judge purely by accolades, look at Johnny Mayse

[@MrAndrewChung]

what about Stacy Jones?

[@sydfieldmasmafua4888]

Let’s Be Honest would the others Lose 2 times in a row to a rival Company I think not and with the officiating helping his team most of the time is something to factor in to

[@MusMasi]

not yet but will be

[@AmazingandFunnyVids]

When is Cleary back from his drug ban?

[@ryancunningham8472]

His aura is lackluster because he only wins, alot, for a very small part of the NRL community. Cleary is a product of his environment and understands success comes from a team working in unison. Name an ex Panther excelling outside of their systems. Unfortunately in origin you have a group of individuals whom whole gameplans revolve around at a club level and carry that ego into camp. Clearys succes at Origin is largely determined by game and player management of which Fitler and co. failed. Given an opportunity to completley own a series or two of origin as commander and chief will cement his legacy.

[@elduder2530]

Cooper cronk late career is the best player ever imho

[@Jimmyjim4]

Yes. Yes he is.

[@dunit4472]

Titles and accolades is not the be all and end all Jordan did not win the most championships or most mvps but hes still considered the goat.

[@kaynesworld4900]

nah panthers only were made to look good because the nrl had to pay there debt after covid and panthers are the richest team in oz. The other night people really thought that panthers were gonna lose. No way on earth would Vlandys let that happen the club is worth to much. Panther will make top 4 but wont win this year. Cleary is Average when the rules are applied correctly SOO is a good example of that.

[@harrydrollet5726]

Got a long way to go cleary I don't think you could ever match Thurston or cronk, you haven't won 8 in a row for nsw, not the nsw captain or Australian captain, panthers have shined for 3 years but now that's coming to an end, could never be like the 4 horseman from the maroons.

[@hipp0e]

8 in a row is not a fair comparison. That team was stacked. Mitchell Pearce would have won 8 in row in that team!

[@faronanderson2536]

No,not yet. Stats don't tell the full story.It's your game that matters most. Eg : Jordan vs Lebron. Let Cleary finish his career.Then we'll talk.

[@Luke-ms4rp]

Please, he hasn’t won any Dally M’s as of yet or dominated at origin, give him time

[@Tully_23_32]

I really like JT, i quite liked him off the field, I've always found him so down to earth & hilarious coz of his kookaburra laugh but.. JT being called the GOAT has always been a bit odd to me. If he's one of the greatest halfbacks of all time then why didn't he play halfback for Qld & Australia? Cooper was always given the 7 jersey & JT the 6. If he is the best 7 then he would've been handed the 7 & Cooper the 6. To me it looked as if Cooper was the better 7 coz if ur the GOAT 7 then why don't ya play in the 7, if ur that great then ur not shifting positions.

[@sketch3744]

He was picked ahead of cronk for years when Lockyer was still playing. When Lockyer retired Thurston shifted to 6 because he had the ability to play 6 or 7 at the same level. He wasnt just the best 7, he was also the best 6. You must be too young to know.

[@jamesLG1]

Cleary GOAT. 4

[@tyranmoses5521]

Joey is the GOAT 🐐.

[@jascrypt8344]

Ridiculous suggestion

[@chriscross1031]

So basically Johns>>Cleary>>>JT

[@jaykay6441]

Not sure you know what multiple series mean but ok.

[@DM-kq9ri]

🤣🤣🤣Cleary is not even missed when he is out of the Penrith team. He is an excellent player who is part of a very well drilled team. His efforts at Origin say it all. Great player, not on the level of the all time greats let alone the GOAT.

[@thatguyedits1920]

Short answer no not yet

[@Sub0x-x40]

is he the goat at 26? no way. He hasnt reached the level of general play joey or thurston reached. And smith played till he was 37... When hes 35ish we will have a better idea. My money is on Cleary being the goat when all said and done

[@DavidBulsey]

Cleary never won a Dally M or A Golden Boot never even Dominated Origin

[@ferrarifxx08]

Accomplishment wise: 1. Nathan Cleary 2. Jonathan Thurston 3. Andrew Johns On capability alone: 1. Andrew Johns 2. Jonathan Thurston 3. Nathan Cleary

[@johnburke6332]

Why does Thurston even get a mention?!🤔 James Maloney, Brett Kimmorley and Cooper Cronk were all way better than him.

[@sketch3744]

That’s such a cooked take hahahaha

[@johnfisher2266]

​@@sketch3744crazy take

[@stewartdavies929]

Kimmorley? Are you serious? He was very good but not in Sterling, John’s, Langer, Stuart or Mortimer’s class. DCE is better but also not in that class.

[@robertaustralia1196]

Cleary hasn't done it in origin. Sorry but to me a great can take his or her game and preform in the origin arena and Cleary just hasn't done that. When NSW win he hasn't really played a part in the win to me. I have heard the commentators say oh that was an amazing game by Cleary but when i think about it he never done much at all. I am a blues supporter and i always want him to play great but he just hasn't not like Johns and definitely no where near Thurston.

[@fredflintstone6729]

Joey > JT > Cleary, for now

[@brendandyer6510]

How manyOrigins has he won. I cant believe this is even a serious question. Or is it really a joke.

[@0P9ine]

2018/2019/2021 series I believe the blues won that and you wouldn’t believe who was playing #7 during those series. Now why would you come on the internet and make a silly ass comment like this? That’s the real question here

[@brendandyer6510]

@@0P9ine en. Have a good look through the stats. The first Origin match was in 1980, I was at it. It didnt start in the 2010's ha ha ha ha. wikipedia.org/wiki/State_of_Origin_results_and_statistics

[@deansmith4508]

Absolutely no way,all 12 final games wins in a row (GrandFinals included) Ashley Klein & Grant Atkins were Ref or VideoRef for all 12 & Ashley Klein was Ref or VideoRef in 11 of them & Ashley Klein's dad John Klein played for Penrith & Grant Atkins is a Lifetime Member of Penrith Referee Association,that's called "Conflict Of Interest " you can't have the son of a Penrith player be the Ref,that's would be considered "Alleged " Cheating,when him & Penrith do something without these 2 that are highly Associated with the club,maybe then talk them up.

[@JustifyGee]

Not yet no

[@CaptainChurrr]

Cronk is the greater than Cleary

[@Ub3rSk1llz]

No, lol.

[@SteelYoG1rl]

Nah

[@amuongosia624]

Cleary only at club Level …. NSW…useless lol….. international? Is he still playing? 😂

[@Paul-ik8fm]

Is Cleary on roids because his jaw line is really unnatural, especially when you look at his dad

[@mickhofman]

Cleary will be the Goat runner up to Johns..unless he owns origin for 5+ years

[@claytondickson9094]

No. Definitely not

[@andrewveavea2825]

Nah stop the cap he ain't the goat nathan cleary is no where near the goat 8ts impossible when nathan retires he won't do anything but like Jt does charity's and more he once came to my school