Penrith Panthers star Nathan Cleary has lifted the lid on his mystery upcoming contract, labelling himself as "patient" when speaking on his future beyond next year.
In two months' time, Cleary can head to the open market for a 2028 contract, and could demand serious dollars given his high-profile status as one of the NRL's greatest ever players.
Cleary was recently crowned the Brad Fittler Medallist on Monday night, with the NSWRL rewarding him for his services to the state, which saw him engineer an upset win at a decider in Brisbane this year.
Despite the looming decision he needs to make for 2028, Cleary remains focused on a strong finals series and told the Sydney Morning Herald he is refusing to rush into a decision anytime soon after a busy term in the middle of the year.
“It's all the outside world that has made it feel like it's a rushed decision, but it's not something I want to rush,” Cleary said to the Sydney Morning Herald.
“It's a big decision, and I feel like one thing has rolled into another. The Origin period was so hectic, and when we came out of it, we (Panthers) weren't playing our best footy. My mind has just been elsewhere.
“I have another whole year of Penrith anyway, and it's always felt like it's so far away, but I guess it is creeping up a bit now. I'm pretty patient with it.”
With the finals looming, it is unlikely the Panthers will move into heavy negotiations with Cleary on an extension, and let the halfback maestro do what he does best and fight to return the trophy to the foot of the mountains.
He recently returned from a brief trip to Auckland, watching his younger brother Jett make his NRL debut for the New Zealand Warriors alongside the rest of his family.
Jett had a stellar performance in the halfback jersey, laying on three try assists and popped up everywhere when the Warriors defeated the Knights.
Big brother Nathan was glowing with praise of the way Jett conducted himself in the top grade.
“It doesn't even feel real Jett played NRL – I always think of him as my younger brother and this young kid,” he said.
“Watching him Sunday in front of a full crowd, in the NRL, playing well and holding his own, I was just so proud of him.
“I don't think he ever knew this day would come. It's been tough for him at times, obviously with me and dad in his life and always being compared to us. He's taken it all in his stride. I'm so glad it went well for him.
“The cool thing now is he has proven himself, and ‘Webby' (Warriors coach Andrew Webster) will have full faith in him if anything was to happen.
“He doesn't mind getting on the chirp, so it was good to see him get smashed and have that ‘welcome to first grade' moment. He grew up getting smashed by me and my sisters.”
The Warriors' performance, led by Jett, pushed the Panthers back to second place on the ladder, with both sides tied up in spots one and two when the finals series kicks off.
The Panthers will face the Wests Tigers to round out their regular season, while the Warriors will host Manly.
