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Sport Nation
'We're hoping for big things': Warriors in no rush with high-profile recruit Cleary
Stephen Foote • February 13th, 2025 9:00 am
Photo: Photosport
Assistant coach Stacey Jones says the NZ Warriors are practicing patience with the development of high-profile recruit Jett Cleary.
Brother of Panthers great Nathan Cleary and son of head coach Ivan Cleary, the teen's decision to leave the club so dear to his family and sign on with the Warriors turned plenty of heads both in New Zealand and across the Tasman due to the promise of family pedigree.
The 19-year-old half has been included as part of an extended first-grade squad for the Warriors pre-season but will likely settle back in with the club's U21 side once the competition gets underway in earnest.
Cleary had a brief taste of action against Cronulla Sharks in the Warriors' pre-season, and Jones says the team have liked what they've seen from the youngster to date - benefitting from being outside of the bright western Sydney spotlight and the inherent pressure of being related to a pair of reigning four-time defending NRL Premiers.
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"Jett's trained quite a bit with us in pre-season. He's quietly going about his business," Jones told Sport Nation's Beaver & Guy.
"With Jett, it's a really good place for him to be at the moment away from being the big brother - arguably the world's best player.
"For him to come over here, ply his trade, learn and get away from that environment has been really good for him.
"We're hoping for big things from Jett but we'll take our time with him."
Cleary has a clear connection with the Warriors through his father, who was head coach of the side from 2006 to 2011, taking them to a Grand Final appearance in his final year. Jett was born in Auckland a year prior to his dad's maiden season at Mt Smart.
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He rose through the Panthers' development system, playing at Harold Matthews Cup level in 2021 and 2022 before moving to SG Ball Cup.
For as much as they've been impressed with his progress, Jones reiterates that it's all about the long-term with Cleary, with no sense of urgency to fast-track the enterprising half into first-grade.
Andrew Webster's squad is already spoilt for choice in the halves department, with the likes of Te Maire Martin, Luke Metcalf, Chanel Harris-Tavita and new signing Tanah Boyd all competing for spots.
"It could be any amount of time, really," Jones said when asked when fans could expect to see him on the big stage.
"He's only 19 years old and he's still growing and learning the game. I can't put a timeframe on that."
Cleary will likely take the field again during the Warriors' second pre-season outing against the Storm in Hamilton on Saturday, where he's been named in an extended gameday squad.
Listen to the full interview below:
