Defiant Nathan Cleary Eyes Redemption After NSW Origin Heartache and Embarrassment
Nathan Cleary Vows to Bounce Back After Origin Heartbreak
(Images: Include shots of Cleary in action for NSW, with girlfriend Mary Fowler, and scoring for Penrith.)
New South Wales halfback Nathan Cleary has opened up about the emotional toll of his team’s State of Origin defeat, describing feelings of “embarrassment and self-loathing” after Queensland clinched the series. Despite the setback, the Penrith Panthers star insists he’s using the loss as fuel to propel himself and his NRL team forward.
Learning From Defeat
Cleary took to Instagram to reflect on the Blues’ loss, admitting the pain of failure was compounded by personal disappointment. “Failure is filled with embarrassment, self-loathing, and hurt,” he wrote. “But it’s also a test of character. We move onwards and upwards.” The 27-year-old emphasized the importance of analyzing his performance, rather than avoiding it: “In the past, I’d try to squash it. This time, I wanted to dig deeper into why I didn’t perform as I wanted.”
(Image: Cleary during NSW’s Origin defeat, caption: “Cleary described Origin loss as a ‘test of character.’”)
His father, Penrith coach Ivan Cleary, played a key role in lifting his spirits. “He made me feel a lot better,” Nathan said, crediting their conversations for helping him reset mentally.
Overcoming Injury and Doubts
A groin injury hampered Cleary during the Origin series, forcing him to relinquish goal-kicking duties to Zac Lomax. Despite the setback, he insisted on backing up for Penrith just days after the decider. “If I didn’t play, I’d be at home hating myself,” he admitted. “I needed to get around the boys and move on.”
His resilience paid off. Coming off the bench against Parramatta, Cleary scored a try in the Panthers’ dominant 32-10 victory. “The best way to repay [the disappointment] is to play well,” he said.
(Image: Cleary celebrating a try for Penrith, caption: “Cleary scored a try in Penrith’s win over Parramatta.”)
Panthers’ Premiership Push
Penrith’s recent form has reignited their title hopes. Five consecutive wins have catapulted them to fifth on the NRL ladder, sparking belief they could secure a historic fifth-straight premiership. Fans took to social media to laud their resurgence, with one writing, “They’re going to win it again this year, aren’t they?”
Cleary remains focused on consistency. “It’s about how you pick yourself up and use it as a lesson,” he said, highlighting the team’s determination to rebuild after a shaky start to the season.
(Image: Cleary with Panthers teammates, caption: “Penrith eyes a fifth-straight NRL title.”)
Looking Ahead
The Panthers face the struggling Rabbitohs this Friday, offering another chance to solidify their finals credentials. For Cleary, the match is another step in his journey to channel Origin heartbreak into NRL success. As he put it: “You can only feel sorry for yourself for so long.”
With resilience and reflection, Cleary and the Panthers are proving that setbacks may stumble them—but won’t define them.
(Word count: ~650)
