“He’s a future immortal”: NRL legend lavishes praise on Cleary after all-time Grand Final performance
Penrith Panthers star Nathan Cleary will finish his career as an NRL Immortal, according to SEN League's Brett Kimmorley.
The halfback's game-winning performance against the Brisbane Broncos has left the NRL world in awe as comparisons to the game’s greatest begin to flow in.
The 1999 Clive Churchill Medallist admitted Cleary’s accomplishments so far, along with the Grand Final showing, will lead to NRL immortality.
“He’s a future immortal, he’s done effectively, in a short career what everyone else has done in their whole careers,” Kimmorley said on SEN League.
“There’s nothing he hasn’t won, today was the biggest occasion and he stood up, and iced it, big games, big kicks, he’s done everything and he's 25.
“Nathan had two line breaks, one try assist, one try, 21 runs, 162 metres, kicked the ball for 662 metres and had a 40/20.
“He had 21 carries as a halfback, that’s a front rower’s number.”
Kimmorley compared Nathan to his father Ivan, with the pair both possessing composure allowing them to achieve success.
“He’s cool as isn’t he, Ivan was like that when he played as well, I played a bit against him, nothing fazes them, they’re so confident and believe in what they do.”
Cleary will likely be selected in Mal Meninga’s Kangaroos side for the upcoming Pacific Championship Serie, starting on October 14th.