Money will be near the bottom of the list of factors Nathan Cleary considers when he makes his next footballing move. Family, love and new success are the keys. The dreams and plans of his partner, Matildas star Mary Fowler, will be a huge consideration – and the power couple’s desire to become parents will be a factor.
That is part of their future and where to have a family is a consideration. On a sporting front, Nathan is after an athletic challenge – what that looks like is difficult to define.
Peter Wallace, who was named during the week to take over from Ivan Cleary as Panthers head coach in 2028, is the key asset in Penrith’s quest to re-sign the champion halfback. This isn’t just spin from the Panthers chief executive Matt Cameron.
On the quiet, Liam Martin has told his agent Allan Gainey he would love to play under Wallace. And you’d think that Ivan would only endorse Wallace for the job after at least a private chat with Nathan.
Wallace is a smart coach and a relatable figure to so many in the league community. He was brought up by his mother without knowing his father. He dropped out of school in Year 10 and did an apprenticeship in painting. The former Blues, Panthers and Broncos half was not a schoolboy superstar but made it to the top through hard work and courage. He is not a big noter and doesn’t chase or crave spotlight. He played alongside Nathan and is admired by him. They both have a humble nature.
Nathan’s humility and lack of desire to be in the spotlight may help Penrith do a deal with him before November 1 when he would hit the open market. The stories circulating about him are out of control. And there will be interest in him from every club between Port Moresby to Bondi Beach. That speculation can only be avoided by signing a deal with Penrith for less than he would earn elsewhere.
V’landys denies reports of Meninga feud
NRL boss Peter V’landys has strongly refuted suggestions he is feuding with Perth Bears coach and rugby league legend Mal Meninga.
The NRL is definitely frustrated with Meninga and they are gobsmacked he is still living in Canberra. However, reports elsewhere that V’landys and Meninga are fighting is a lazy way to describe what is going on. “To say Mal and I are feuding is just laughable,” V’landys said.
The NRL is also aware of the frosty relationship between coaches Meninga and assistant Ben Gardiner. There are still suggestions that Gardiner could end up in the English Super League in the coming months, despite him purchasing a house in Perth.
Meninga and Gardiner are active in meetings, but it is my understanding there is little extra communication, if any, between them. Gardiner has been announced as the man to take over from Meninga in 2029.
Meninga has been rattled by the support Gardiner has from key figures at the NRL. He was also stunned to see a News Corp report saying he is feuding with V’landys.
It’s come to the attention of this column that Gardiner was a guest of the NRL in the chairman’s box on Friday night at Magic Round in Brisbane. He was there in his capacity as head coach of Samoa. Meninga was not there. Gardiner was there with his partner. He has the strong support of Australian Rugby League Commission’s Wayne Pearce who selected him to be the assistant coach of the Bears.
Gardiner was not on stage at a Bears event which featured Meninga, chief executive Anthony De Ceglie, North Sydney Bears stalwart Billy Moore and club board member James Bracey at Magic Round. It’s been explained to me that Meninga was not at Friday night’s matches as he had to attend a wake.
No clean slate for Slater, Triple M
Billy Slater is still unhappy with Triple M and the radio station may need to initiate peace talks with the Queensland coach.
Triple M breakfast host Aaron Woods called out Slater last year, saying he was a grub on the field. Woods doubled down on the breakfast show during the week when he revealed Slater was off the Sydney station and the Brisbane station as well. For transparency, I’m also not on Slater’s speed dial list.
Daley ditches the drink after health scare
Blues coach Laurie Daley will enter rugby league’s most scrutinised arena after a huge health scare.
A regulation health check a couple of months ago led to a drastic change to his lifestyle – and the result is he is more clear of mind and focused on all that Origin brings, good and bad.
Always a fitness fanatic, Daley was shocked to learn he was in danger of developing concerning conditions. His weight was close to 100kg. The 56-year-old immediately decided to give up drinking alcohol – it helps that his local watering hole, the Northbridge Hotel, shut down in January – and is watching his diet.
While not a huge drinker – he was a once a week guy – Daley has shed eight kilograms and is below his playing weight.
Never one to give much away, Daley quipped: “My wife has asked me not to lose any more weight because she says it makes my nose look bigger.”
The health kick is a smart move from Daley, who is well aware of the stress he and his Queensland rival Slater are under during each Origin campaign.
Slater reacted with extreme emotion last year when Woods criticised him on radio and as a result had to make a match-eve apology to Paul Green’s family after dragging the late former Queensland coach into his conversation about the responsibilities associated with being a media figure.
Slater’s coaching career was on the edge at that point, but an outstanding comeback has him entering this year’s series with a clear head.
Daley was devastated at last year’s 2-1 loss. “It took me a couple of weeks to get over it,” he said. “We know what we did wrong and we have learned from it.”
Bellamy to hold talks with Tripp over future
Storm coach Craig Bellamy is due to meet club chairman Matt Tripp in two weeks to work out a plan for the champion mentor and the club.
Meanwhile, the Storm have upped their anger at Channel 7 over its coverage of Bellamy, who has been diagnosed with a form of neurodegenerative disorder.
The Storm have complained to the NRL about the network’s lack of empathy towards Bellamy in a media conference and the way he was badgered over what is a private health matter.
They also complained about a Seven camera placed at the team hotel to get shots of Bellamy the day after the club revealed his struggles.
Stress is not good for his condition and that will be raised when Bellamy and Tripp meet – and the message to the champion coach is the Storm will back what is best for him and his family.
Bellamy is in far better spirits than when he went through his medical tests. You wouldn’t know he is battling a serious condition.
Spots galore still up for grabs in Blues’ back line
Take this how you want to: a well-placed Blues source told me there were only two NSW backs who could be considered certainties going into Magic Round: Nathan Cleary and Brian To’o.
I would have thought that Latrell Mitchell was a walk-up starter, but perhaps the worry is the back injury that sidelined him last week. Laurie Daley will want a fit squad.
Mitchell left the field early in Friday night’s loss to the Dolphins, although Souths insist he’ll be fit for Origin I.
I also thought Origin specialist Mitch Moses would be a certainty, but Canberra five-eighth Ethan Strange has caught the eye of selectors.
The debate around the other centre spot is reasonable as is the fullback and remaining wing position. It’s going to be a fascinating team.
Young’s cleanout comes back to bite Flanno
Fox Sports has told Shane Flanagan he won’t get a start with the network – and his successor at St George Illawarra may have played a role in its decision.
When Dragons interim coach Dean Young sacked assistant coach Michael Ennis, it increased his availability to appear on Fox.
Fox has also signed the extremely talented Luke Keary. It means Flanagan will have to wait for a year to return. He doesn’t want to sit around, so expect him to try to find an assistant coaching job.
The Suaalii disappearing act
A News Corp report that Waratahs and Wallabies back Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii was in talks with the PNG Chiefs has disappeared from the internet. It was slammed by both the Chiefs and Suaalii’s agent Isaac Moses. Respected News Corp journalists were angry the story appeared.
Cringeworthy commentary
Some of the wise-after-the-event commentary around Ivan Cleary is difficult to let pass. Those claiming that Cleary’s decision to step away from head coaching at the end of 2027 wasn’t a “shock” should be kind enough to distribute next week’s winning Lotto numbers. I’m keen to get them. Please.
The rumour mill being made public by some pundits had Ivan and Nathan going to the Roosters.
At no point did they stick their necks out and say Ivan was about to call it quits. Post story commentary has never been as cringeworthy. The only person who is qualified to comment in that regard is the man who ghosted his book, Andrew Webster.
Even when Nine News revealed he was done at the end of 2027 it was still a nervous wait to hear it come out of Ivan’s mouth – he is an unpredictable figure. We broke the story before the players were told at 1.20pm. But it’s been a well-kept secret between Panthers chairman Peter Graham and Ivan since the off-season.
Ivan would have liked to have made the announcement last year, but their poor run of form made it impossible. The board sat on the information for close to three weeks. No one – not even the Monday quarterbacks – saw the Peter Wallace appointment coming.
Metcalf’s demand a Dogs dealbreaker
Dragons recruit Luke Metcalf would have been a good fit in so many ways at the Bulldogs.
The former Warrior played with Bronson Xerri and Jaeman Salmon at Cronulla, while Bulldogs general manager of football, Phil Gould’s son Jack, teamed up with Metcalf in the Sharks’ junior representative sides.
But the obvious drawback was Metcalf’s insistence on being the halfback.
The Dogs had a recent issue with Xerri around position insistence, which they sorted. The Bulldogs are all about team first. The Dogs already have Lachlan Galvin and a potential star No.7 in Mitch Woods, but given his lack of football due to injury, Woods may be only really ready to make his mark in 2028.
However, Metcalf is a great signing for the bottom-of-the-table Dragons if he remains injury-free. It’s interesting to see how rookie Kade Reed responds, but at least the Dragons are making moves that give their fans hope.
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