- Modest Panthers halfback labelled comparison ‘rubbish’
- ARLC boss Peter V’Landys made the bold statement
- Said Cleary, 27, was a ‘once-in-a-generation player’
- Quarterback Tom Brady won seven Super Bowl rings
Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary has rubbished suggestions he is the ‘Aussie Tom Brady‘ as he prepares to head to Las Vegas with his teammates ahead of their NRL season opener.
Cleary, 27, is chasing rare air as Penrith strive for a fifth successive NRL premiership this season – but he was quick to dismiss comparisons to the NFL icon, who has seven Super Bowl rings to his name.
It follows ARLC Chairman Peter V’landys declaring Cleary could be marketed as Australia’s version of decorated quarterback Brady as the NRL prepare to kick-start 2025 in Sin City.
‘Absolutely – he is a once-in-a-generation player,’ V’landys said.
But Cleary himself disagrees strongly.
‘That’s complete rubbish. I don’t feel comfortable with that because he’s just on a whole different level, just an out-and-out winner,’ he told the Sydney Morning Herald.
Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary has rubbished suggestions he is the ‘Aussie Tom Brady’ as he prepares to head to Las Vegas with his teammates ahead of their NRL season opener (pictured, with girlfriend Mary Fowler)
Cleary, 27, is chasing rare air as Penrith strive for a fifth successive NRL premiership – but he was quick to dismiss comparisons the NFL icon, (pictured) who has seven Super Bowl rings
Nathan Cleary also opened up on his relationship with Matildas star Mary Fowler, revealing how the pair make their long-distance relationship work
‘It’s just trying to promote our game. The American market is something that I see as tough, but it’s pretty cool, I think that they’ll enjoy it.’
Meanwhile, Cleary has revealed how his long-distance relationship with Matildas and Manchester City ace Mary Fowler continues to blossom.
The sporting power couple – together since 2023 – keep their romance alive via FaceTime.
‘It’s always a nice thing to look forward to after a game, getting to see her,’ he said.
‘We don’t really talk about the game [rugby league] much. ‘She’s still learning about the game – she never watched footy.
‘The only player she knew was [North Queensland legend] Johnathan Thurston.
‘She makes me happy and that definitely helps – she’s super supportive, and that’s what I love about her.’
Cleary and Fowler have been very active on social media over the past few months, posting multiple snaps of their adventures on Instagram from Europe and around Australia.
The sporting power couple have enjoyed some time away together in recent months, travelling around Europe and Australia
Mary Fowler, 22, has been scintillating for Manchester City this season in the Women’s Super League and Europe
Cleary led Penrith to their fourth-straight NRL premiership victory last year (pictured, after beating the Melbourne Storm)
And good judges believe Cleary could retire as the code’s greatest ever player – but the halfback needs to dominate the Origin arena with NSW to potentially be held in a higher regard than Immortal Andrew Johns and Maroons great Thurston.
This article was originally published by a www.dailymail.co.uk . Read the Original article here. .