Will Jett Cleary’s return to Penrith help Nathan stay? We asked the man himself

Nathan Cleary said last month that he had little appetite to join the New Zealand Warriors for fear of blocking the path of his younger brother Jett.

Now Jett has made his NRL debut and will return home to Penrith next year; what does that mean for his famous brother?

Cleary laughed when reminded of those comments on Monday night, and said the chance to play with Jett at the Panthers next year would be another factor to consider in what has become rugby league’s most anticipated decision.

The 28-year-old Cleary enjoyed watching Jett’s debut for the Warriors from the grandstands in Auckland on Sunday afternoon before returning to Sydney to collect his second Brad Fittler Medal on Monday night.

The decision to race to New Zealand was so last-minute that Nathan ran out of time to buy a suit and had to borrow one from his father and Penrith coach, Ivan, to attend Monday night’s awards ceremony at The Star.

There is every chance Cleary soon adds a first Dally M Medal to the two awards he has already snared this year - the Brad Fittler Medal for being NSW’s best player and the Wally Lewis Medal for being the top player in the Origin series.

Cleary and Penrith are a strong chance of winning a fifth premiership in six years over the next six weeks – but there is even greater interest in where the star halfback decides to play from 2028 onwards.

“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.

“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 [Penrith] 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.”

The Daily Telegraph People’s Choice Award: Nathan Cleary (Penrith Panthers), Jesse Southwell (Brisbane Broncos)

NSW Blues Women’s State of Origin Player of the Year: Yasmin Meakes (Newcastle Knights)

NSW Under 19s State of Origin Player of the Match: Diesel Hagan (Newcastle Knights)

NSW Under 19s Women’s State of Origin Player of the Match: Anastasia Leatupue (Sydney Roosters)