Nathan Cleary is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for Penrith Panthers and the Australian Kangaroos. Undoubtedly, one of the most talented halfbacks Australia has ever produced, Nathan, graced the pitch and never looked back.
At 28 years old, he is one of the most decorated in history, with a massive collection of awards.
Unlike some of his talented teammates, such as Reece Walsh, Nathan leads a fairly quiet life. However, he is a man from a strong family background with a lot of history.
He is also in love with his beautiful girlfriend, and they go on fancy, expensive vacations without any drama.
Indeed, a player many young stars look up to, Nathan Cleary, has been an inspiring footy player with a lot to offer.
In this story, we have detailed Nathan Cleary’s career journey from being a young boy until stardom to his personal life away from rugby.
PROFILE SUMMARY
Full name: Nathan Cleary
Date of birth: 14 November 1997
Age: 28 years
Place of birth: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Father: Ivan Cleary
Mother: Rebecca Cleary
Girlfriend: Mary Fowler
Height: 1.82 m
Weight: 92 kg
Position: Halfback
NATHAN CLEARY’S AGE AND EARLY LIFE
Nathan Cleary was born on 14 November 1997 and will turn 29 in 2026. The talented star was born in Sydney, New South Wales, in Australia, where he started playing rugby and soccer.
As a young boy, he spent a few years in Auckland, New Zealand, where his father played for the New Zealand Warriors. While in New Zealand, he enrolled at Sacred Heart College, but at that time, he played soccer more than rugby. It is his soccer background that has given him top-notch footwork.
At around 14 years old, Nathan switched from soccer to rugby league and immediately joined Mount Albert Lions in Auckland. He impressed and showed top talent in the academy as he grew as a player. He later moved to Australia, where he joined Penrith Brothers in Sydney to pursue further professional development. At this time, he also played rugby at St Dominic’s College, Penrith, where he finished in 2015, and was a prefect.
Nathan Cleary advanced through Penrith’s junior system with impressive performances. He played in the Harold Matthews Cup under-16 team. Later, he joined the S.G. Ball Cup under-18 side. In 2015, he also captained the team.
Meanwhile, Cleary gained experience with the Windsor Wolves. He played several matches in the Ron Massey Cup and Sydney Shield competitions. Soon after, Penrith promoted him to their National Youth Competition under-20 squad mid-season.
Leadership and Youth Success
However, Cleary missed Penrith’s 2015 NYC Grand Final victory. He was unavailable because of his Australian Schoolboys selection. Nevertheless, he achieved another milestone by captaining the side. The team competed in a two-match series against the New Zealand under-18s.
From 2015 to 2016, Cleary delivered outstanding performances in the under-20 competition. He played 20 games during that period. In addition, he scored 11 tries and kicked 109 goals. Overall, he finished with an impressive 262 points in his U20 career.
After that, Nathan looked ready for professional rugby, and the senior team could not ignore him anymore.
PROFESSIONAL CAREER
Coming through from the juniors at Penrith, Nathan Cleary rose through the ranks to become the best. Nathan Cleary has developed into one of rugby league’s greatest modern players since making his debut for the Penrith Panthers in 2016. Son of coach Ivan Cleary, Nathan quickly proved he was far more than just a coach’s son, displaying exceptional leadership, kicking precision, and game management at a young age.
Cleary became a regular first-grade player in 2017 and helped guide Penrith to multiple finals appearances. His biggest breakthrough came in 2021 when he led the Panthers to their first NRL premiership in 18 years after defeating South Sydney in the Grand Final. He followed that success with consecutive premiership victories in 2022, 2023, and 2024, helping establish Penrith as one of the NRL’s modern dynasties.
Internationally, Cleary has represented Australia and New South Wales in the State of Origin series, where his composure under pressure earned widespread praise. Known for his calm attitude and elite playmaking, he has won numerous individual awards and captained Penrith during one of the club’s most successful eras.
ONE OF THE MOST DECORATED RUGBY LEAGUE PLAYERS
With such a career, Nathan Cleary is now one of the most decorated Australian rugby league players. Taking off in 2016, Nathan won the Ben Alexander Rookie of the Year and the Penrith Panthers Members’ Player of the Year.
Come 2018, he represented New South Wales in the State of Origin Series, an honour he went on to have in 2019, 2021, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2025.
Come 2020, one of his best years, Nathan won almost every award at his disposal. He won the following individual and club accolades:
- Penrith Panthers Members’ Player of the Year
- Dally M Halfback of the Year
- RLPA Players’ Champion
- RLPA Halfback of the Year
- Brad Fittler Medal
- Merv Cartwright Medal
- NRL Minor Premiership as a captain
Come 2021, he won the World Cup with Australia, the NRL Premiership with Penrith, and the Clive Churchill Medal, Merv Cartwright Medal, RLPA Halfback of the Year, and Dally M Halfback of the Year as an individual.
The following year, in 2022, he once again won the NRL Minor Premiership and NRL Premiership with Penrith. In 2023, he won the NRL Minor Premiership, NRL Premiership with Penrith and the Clive Churchill Medal.
In 2024, he only won the NRL Premiership, one of the years he dipped in form and faced some injuries.
Come 2025, Nathan rediscovered his form and won the Dally M Halfback of the Year award and the Merv Cartwright Medal. He also had success with the Australian Kangaroos, winning the Ashes Series.
At only 28, if Nathan can maintain his best form for at least 3 more years, he might become one of the best Australia has ever produced in his position.
NATHAN CLEARY’S PERSONAL LIFE – AWAY FROM RUGBY
Despite having such a great career, Nathan Cleary also has another life, as a family member, a lover and a man in general.
NATHAN CLEARY’S FAMILY AND ETHNICITY
The talented Kangaroos halfback was born into a family with deep roots of rugby DNA. Nathan Cleary is of Croatian descent from his father, Ivan Cleary, a man who played at the very top level. He also has Ukrainian heritage through his mother, Rebecca Cleary, nee Stuart.
With Ivan on his side, Nathan had a mentor and also a coach from an early age in his career. Even when already having a professional career, Nathan played under his father at Penrith for many years, still taking ideas and guidance from him. Undoubtedly, Ivan has the greatest impact on Nathan’s rugby career above anyone else.
Besides his parents, who played a great role in his development and even at a professional level, Nathan has a strong support base and guidance. He is the nephew of Jason Death and Josh Stuart, both of whom also played rugby.
Nathan also has his brother, Lett Cleary, who is also a professional rugby player. With such a history in rugby, Nathan’s family mostly go to games to support him in tough times and also celebrate his wins.
Over the years, his family have proved to be a very strong pillar of strength.
NATHAN CLEARY’S GIRLFRIEND
Besides his family, who support him so much, Nathan Cleary is in love with his girlfriend, Mary Fowler. Mary is a professional footballer who currently plays for Manchester City and the Australian national team.
The two lovebirds made headlines in 2023 amid rumours about their relationship that flooded social media. They kept it under wraps until 2024, when they went public with their relationship. Since then, they have been playing games, going on family vacations and spending their time together.
Even with her busy schedule as a professional footballer, Mary has shown she can make time for her boyfriend.
Recently, the two lovers went on a fancy vacation in New Zealand, enjoying the mountains and the country’s great places.