Another premiership ring to go with a World Cup title – it was another brilliant year for Nathan Cleary.
He may have had some struggles along the way as he missed the start of the regular season with a shoulder injury and was later suspended for five games for a dangerous tackle, but in the end, it was another successful season for the Panthers halfback.
He played 17 NRL games across the season, in which he recorded three tries, 76 goals, eight try assists and 14 line-break assists.
He capped off a successful campaign by leading Australia to World Cup triumph against Samoa in the final.
The best of Nathan Cleary from 2022
2022 ACHIEVEMENTS
- 2022 NRL Premiership winner
- Test debut for Australia
- Rugby League World Cup appearance for Australia
- Rugby League World Cup winner
- Three State of Origin appearances for NSW
- 2022 Panthers top point-scorer
STAT ATTACK
Appearances – 17
Tries – 3
Goals – 76
Try assists – 8
Line-break assists – 14
Offloads – 17
Forced drop outs – 17
Run metres – 1618 (avg. 95)
Tackles made – 305
Tackle efficiency – 86.6%
BEST TRY
Cleary cemented the Panthers' place in the grand final with a grubber kick for himself in the preliminary final against South Sydney. It wasn't the most flashy try, but it was significant in the Panthers securing back-to-back titles.
Cleary ices the cake
WHAT WAS SAID
Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga praised his Test halfback during the World Cup.
Nathan plays a really important role in our team. He’s the halfback and our game manager ... He’s been great all tour. He just turned 25 and he still wants to learn - he works really hard on his game. He puts the time in and the effort in and deserves everything he gets out of the game, because you should get rewarded for effort.
Mal Meninga Kangaroos coach
SOCIAL SCENE
Nathan Cleary made a fan's day following the Panthers' win over the Titans on the Gold Coast. The Panthers co-captain gifted his jersey to Marshall in the crowd after the game.
The pair were reunited at Magic Round when Cleary gave Marshall a special 18th birthday gift.
