Captain Ibis
Squad Member
So how does Nathan Cleary stack up against the greats?
It is probably fair to argue that until he wins a premiership, or plays a dominant hand in a NSW State of Origin series triumph, comparisons to Andrew Johns, Johnathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk are disrespectful to three of the greatest No.7s of all time.
At least comparisons to the all-conquering final versions of those three halves would be, but what about to the 23 year, 204-day versions of them?
“When he first started I didn’t see greatness in Nathan, but I didn’t see it in Cooper Cronk either,” Peter Sterling admits.
“There were hints of it in JT (Thurston) because he’s such a competitor, but to me Joey (Johns) is still elevated above everyone in regards to halfbacks. The one thing about Nathan is that he regulates the tempo of the game, and that’s why Cameron Smith was such a great player.
“He knew what periods of the game required a particular type of tempo. Nathan Cleary is getting a better understanding of that and is maybe superior at the same stage in his career to a young Joey and JT.”
When you take a look into the numbers, basing it off accomplishments achieved by the age of 23 and a half, Cleary more than holds his own.
He has played more games, 111 to be exact, than all of them. The closest to that mark was Johns with 76 at the same time in his career.
He’s kicked more goals and at a higher percentage than both Johns and Thurston. His winning record is also superior to both, notching a 65 per cent win rate since debuting as a 17-year-old in 2016.
Cronk enjoyed a better win ratio, but 23 of his 74 NRL appearances by that age came off the bench in a star-studded Melbourne Storm side.
Cleary has scored more tries, more points and more field goals than all three, yet the knock remains his perceived inability to come up with the right play at the right time on the biggest stage.
While he’s won an Origin series as James Maloney’s right-hand man, the time has come for him to deliver as the general of the team. The failure of last year’s grand final is fresh in the minds of those who measure greatness by results in the games that matter.
All four players had reached a grand final by 23. While Johns and Thurston both enjoyed victories, only Johns did so as a starting half in the iconic 1997 grand final.
“Your CV is important,” Sterling said. “You need to be in a premiership-winning side to have the gravitas those other players have.
Nathan Cleary with his father Ivan after last year’s grand final loss to Melbourne.CREDIT:GETTY
“Going through the grand final last year, that’s tough. There are a couple of decisions I’m sure he’d like to make differently. But you have to go through those things as well. To lose a grand final, the fire burns.
“He’s had a wonderful football education in a short period of time that is going to make him some player in years to come if he stays healthy. I’d like to think we will be talking about him in the same way as the others when his career ends. His best football is still not for another two or three years, I think.”
It is probably fair to argue that until he wins a premiership, or plays a dominant hand in a NSW State of Origin series triumph, comparisons to Andrew Johns, Johnathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk are disrespectful to three of the greatest No.7s of all time.
At least comparisons to the all-conquering final versions of those three halves would be, but what about to the 23 year, 204-day versions of them?
“When he first started I didn’t see greatness in Nathan, but I didn’t see it in Cooper Cronk either,” Peter Sterling admits.
“There were hints of it in JT (Thurston) because he’s such a competitor, but to me Joey (Johns) is still elevated above everyone in regards to halfbacks. The one thing about Nathan is that he regulates the tempo of the game, and that’s why Cameron Smith was such a great player.
“He knew what periods of the game required a particular type of tempo. Nathan Cleary is getting a better understanding of that and is maybe superior at the same stage in his career to a young Joey and JT.”
When you take a look into the numbers, basing it off accomplishments achieved by the age of 23 and a half, Cleary more than holds his own.
He has played more games, 111 to be exact, than all of them. The closest to that mark was Johns with 76 at the same time in his career.
He’s kicked more goals and at a higher percentage than both Johns and Thurston. His winning record is also superior to both, notching a 65 per cent win rate since debuting as a 17-year-old in 2016.
Cronk enjoyed a better win ratio, but 23 of his 74 NRL appearances by that age came off the bench in a star-studded Melbourne Storm side.
Cleary has scored more tries, more points and more field goals than all three, yet the knock remains his perceived inability to come up with the right play at the right time on the biggest stage.
While he’s won an Origin series as James Maloney’s right-hand man, the time has come for him to deliver as the general of the team. The failure of last year’s grand final is fresh in the minds of those who measure greatness by results in the games that matter.
All four players had reached a grand final by 23. While Johns and Thurston both enjoyed victories, only Johns did so as a starting half in the iconic 1997 grand final.
“Your CV is important,” Sterling said. “You need to be in a premiership-winning side to have the gravitas those other players have.
Nathan Cleary with his father Ivan after last year’s grand final loss to Melbourne.CREDIT:GETTY
“Going through the grand final last year, that’s tough. There are a couple of decisions I’m sure he’d like to make differently. But you have to go through those things as well. To lose a grand final, the fire burns.
“He’s had a wonderful football education in a short period of time that is going to make him some player in years to come if he stays healthy. I’d like to think we will be talking about him in the same way as the others when his career ends. His best football is still not for another two or three years, I think.”
